Top Kyoto Lantern Festival

Find out what's it's like to be a ninja. This small-group beginners class in a Kyoto dojo introduces you to the basics of ninja training. You'll learn how to breathe, walk, and meditate like a ninja; practice throwing ninja weapons; and learn how to use ninja swords. It's a unique Japanese experience for all ages.

Sake—traditional rice wine—is Japan’s most famous drink and Kyoto’s Fushimi District is renowned for its sake production, home to over 30 breweries. On this tour, find out how sake is made, discover the many varieties, and learn which sake suits each occasion. Sample seven different sakes, accompanied by tasty Japanese snacks, and leave with a cheat sheet to help you order your favorite sakes while in Japan.

Ninja culture is not something visitors to Japan can just easily immerse themselves in, but this 2-hour, hand-on lesson offers an exclusive experience. In a small group of no more than six people, learn ninja techniques including ninja breathing, ninja meditation, and how to wield a ninja sword.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this interactive class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Pick from multiple durations—with longer classes including more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion as well as a souvenir Japanese towel.

Enjoy a quintessential traditional Japanese experience in the heart of Kyoto. This tea ceremony experience takes place in an historic wooden townhouse ("machiya") where you can soak up traditional Japanese culture. You'll have the opportunity to wear a kimono while experiencing the tea ceremony and learn all about its artful rituals.

Learn the arts of the samurai as you enjoy a 1-hour Kembu show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class, in Kyoto. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances, celebrating the legendary stories of Japan’s feudal period. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with samurai sword and the performers post-show.

Kyoto’s beautiful area of Arashiyama is known for its bamboo groves, but instead of being stuck in crowds—this small-group activity offers a completely different experience. Enjoy a hands-on lesson in a bamboo craftsman’s house and learn how to make your own bamboo souvenir—such as an LED lantern, sake bottle, teacup, or even a smartphone holder.

Would you like to brew your own delicious tea? In most tea ceremony workshops, you are not allowed to handle tea utensils. However, in the hands-on classes we host, you can actually touch the utensils and learn the process of brewing tea from scratch. The instructor is a master of the Higashi Abe school. They have taught many students, so they will gently and carefully teach you how to make tea. You are also welcome to take as many pictures as you like to make your experience memorable. We hope you will make your trip to Japan a memorable and enjoyable one.

Learn to make artistic sushi rolls during your own private ‘kazarimaki’ class in Kyoto. Kazarimaki is the art of making designs within a sushi roll, using edible pigments extracted from plants to create colorful patterns in the sushi. Your instructor also provides a kimono (for women) or other traditional garments (for men and children) to wear during the experience.