Things to do in Kyoto, Kinki: The Best Lessons & Workshops

May 21, 2021 Roger Rusk

The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto

1. WAK Japan

Excellent
90%
Good
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5.0 based on 220 reviews

WAK Japan

WAK Japan specializes in offering traditional culture hands-on experiences such as tea ceremony, cooking, calligraphy, flower arrangement, kimono wearing, koto playing, and many more at a beautifully restored machiya (traditional wooden house) In addition, we also arrange guided tours, visits to an exclusive temples, etc.

2. Haru Cooking Class

166-32 Shimogamo Miyazakicho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 606-0802 Kyoto Prefecture +81 90-4284-7176 [email protected] http://www.kyoto-cooking-class.com
Excellent
99%
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5.0 based on 529 reviews

Haru Cooking Class

Thank you very much for finding our small cooking class in Kyoto, Japan. The class is not only about cooking, but learning about Japanese culture. We will do our best to share all that we can about our culture; we sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Reviewed By TanyaKopo

Taro is extremely knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine, history, culture, customs and traditions and is a great conversationalist. He lived in US and knows a lot about the Western culture. I know better understand Japanese culture and way of cooking. We made a few vegetarian dishes that were delicious and are so easy to make at home. I did a cooking class in Thailand, but I loved Taro's approach, menu and setting way better. I would highly recommend the class.

3. Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Kyoto

Excellent
91%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 493 reviews

Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Kyoto

Geisha artifacts and displays. geisha tours. We also provide geisha experiences

4. Samurai Kenbu Theater

35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku GOZAN Hotel B1F, Kyoto 605-0005 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-751-2033 [email protected] http://www.samurai-kembu.co.jp/
Excellent
81%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 787 reviews

Samurai Kenbu Theater

Kenbu, literally means 'sword dance' is one of Japanese traditional performing arts that shows the spirits and the culture of the Samurai. Samurai kenbu show and other lesson programs are available. All programs are held in English. Come and feel the traditions of the Samurai!!

Reviewed By Beenster - Yardley, United States

One of the highlights of our visit to Kyoto, learned more history than at the Nijo castle then had a chance to do some samurai training and ninja training, we added the tea ceremony to get a flavor of that as well. Fun and educational activity that provides some insight into Japanese history

5. Soushunan

288-2 Higashishimmeicho, Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto 602-8162 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-801-4652 [email protected] http://www.soushunan.jp/
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5.0 based on 77 reviews

Soushunan

Soushunan, a 110 years old Machiya, is a traditional wooden townhouse.Here you can experience playing the Koto, which is a traditional Japanese instrument and indispensable for formal ceremonies in Japan.Harumi Shimazaki, who is a professional player of Koto, will teach you how to play the Koto.Within the lesson, you will also get to know about the modest and kind spirit of traditonal Japanese.

Reviewed By Phyn_66 - Fremantle, Australia

The lesson with Harumi was a wonderful and memorable experience. Her house is beautiful, her teaching is patient and precise, and the quiet and intimacy of the private lesson was a perfect antidote to the almost overwhelming crowds at the tourist sites. Harumi is a very accomplished musician, and has created a lesson plan that is just the right balance of challenging and achievable. The duets - after you have “mastered” (?!) your part - were really touching and joyful to be a part of. Great experience - do it! Guaranteed to be a highlight of your trip

6. Roketsu Dyeing Studio Yamamoto

73 Umazuka-Cho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 615-0885 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-313-1871 [email protected] http://www.roketsu.com/home_en
Excellent
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5.0 based on 59 reviews

Roketsu Dyeing Studio Yamamoto

Let's enjoy Rocketsu dyeing in Kyoto!! our studio is the only place in Japan where visitors con experience the entire roketsu dyeing process. dyeing experience takes 90-120 min. 1-30 people accepted. by a free design can experience it. trying traditional Japanese crafts with your own hands will add another unforgettable memory to you stay.

Reviewed By emilyhB8623VA

I lived in Kyoto for a year and brought/recommended multiple people to this experience. They all loved it! The owners are kind and hilarious, and by the end (no matter your artistic prowess) every person always has a beautiful final product. Can't recommend strongly enough! :)

7. Tea Ceremony Juan

709 Higashishiokojicho, Karasumadori Shichijo-Sagaru, Shimogyo-Ku Jotokuji, Kyoto 600-8119 Kyoto Prefecture +81 90-1138-4480 [email protected] http://www.teaceremonyjuan.com/
Excellent
89%
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5.0 based on 675 reviews

Tea Ceremony Juan

The Tea Ceremony Juan is a genuine and truly authentic Japanese Tea Room located inside the grounds of the Jotokuji temple. Monks who visited China to learn Buddhism discovered tea and they brought back tea seed to Japan and started to grow tea plants. Tea drinking became popular and out of this habit the practice of the Japanese Tea Ceremony evolved. There is nothing else available in Kyoto other than a few other Tea Rooms which are set in the grounds of Temples and Shrines and are, for obvious reasons, closed to the general public from Japan and overseas, other than on very special and rare occasions.If you are looking to experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony in its true spirit then there is nothing else better in Kyoto than the Tea Ceremony Juan located in the grounds of the Jotokuji temple.

Reviewed By RosieC240 - Melbourne, Australia

My partner and I went to this and really enjoyed it. Host was very friendly and informative. Ready to answer any questions. The process itself was incredible, each movement so specific and detailed. A beautiful art. Highly recommend it :)

8. Cooking Sun

679 Funayacho Higashi Nakasuji Matsubara Agaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8466 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-746-5094 [email protected] http://www.cooking-sun.com/
Excellent
93%
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5.0 based on 495 reviews

Cooking Sun

Morning Bento Class (9:30-12:20) and Afternoon Izakayta Class (14:00-17:00). Easy access from central Kyoto, Shijo or Karasuma station. Friendly, English fluent local Japanese ladies welcome you in half a day Japanese cooking class. Beautiful machiya traditional townhouse is also something you can definitely enjoy during your visit.

Reviewed By clubsandwich

We did the Nishiki Market tour and Cooking Class. The hosts were excellent and friendly, able to answer all sorts of questions during the market tour, which felt relaxing and not rushed. The cooking class itself was also very simple and casual, and a great introduction to the preparation and use of ‘dashi’ as the base of a lot of Japanese cuisine. For occasional cooks it is a lovely way to broaden the repertoire. Recommended.

9. Ami Kyoto

373-26 Horiike-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0038 Kyoto Prefecture +81 80-4240-8866 [email protected] http://www.whattodoinkyoto.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 473 reviews

Ami Kyoto

Your opportunity to be part of Kyoto! "Ami Kyoto" provides traditional Japanese cultural experience in English for foreign visitors. You can experience Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement, Calligraphy and Tea ceremony in our 80-year-old traditional Kyoto townhouse. The foundation of Japanese traditional culture was laid in the Muromachi period. At that time, people called "ami" protected and promoted the emerging culture, including noh dance and the tea ceremony. They were priests who served a shogun or feudal lord, and sowed the seeds of our classical aesthetic values. Ami emphasized equality, virtue, harmony and calmness in their contribution to cultural development. "Ami Kyoto" continues to spread their spirituality which still underlies the Japanese culture of today.

Reviewed By raphpg - Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium

Great experience with wonderful hosts; we enjoyed a true tea ceremony, explained in details, with a delicious matcha that we learned to prepare; amazing!

10. Kyoto Shibori Museum

127 Shikiamicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8261 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-221-4252 [email protected] http://shibori.jp
Excellent
83%
Good
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Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 64 reviews

Kyoto Shibori Museum

Kyoto Shibori Museum is located southeast of Nijo castle; 5-min. walk from subway Nijojo-mae station; Adults 800yen; Open: 9:00-17:00; Shibori arts, tools and samples of shibori are displayed. You can try on shibori kimono in a quick and simple way for FREE. Shibori class in English is available(reservation recommended); silk scarf: from 3,850yen, approx 30-min. Museum shop: variety of original shibori items, scarves, bags, fabrics and souvenirs are sold at the reasonable price. Museum for all textile lovers on this planet.

Reviewed By 490emmak - Newcastle, Australia

The Shibori workshop was a highlight of my trip. I arrived at 10 am and was able to immediately attend a Shibori workshop with an instructor who spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable. As I was the only English speaker there I got a private class. It was great to be able to try my hand at this ancient craft. Following the class I got a private tour of the small museum, I did not realise there were so many techniques. If you enjoy craft I highly recommend doing a class.

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