5 authentic workshops in Tokyo that put you in touch with the locals

From the shambling old streets of Yanaka to hidden spots tucked between the high-rises of Shibuya, there are myriad workshops and studios keeping ancient, artisan Japanese crafts alive across Tokyo that are well worth seeking out.  Craftsmanship here is embedded in the culture and history of the country, something that is clear to see when watching the artisans absorbed in their work, taking pride and care over the most intricate of details.

Joining an artisan workshop is not only an excellent way to connect with Japan’s ancient crafts, but in taking part in a hands-on experience you support craft masters and help preserve traditions that would otherwise be lost to history. Here are five hands-on workshops to join in Tokyo.

In 1881, Emanuel Hauptmann arrived in Tokyo to teach his skill of glass-cutting to Japanese craftsmen. Little did the British engineer know that centuries later, his techniques would still be preserved, practised and celebrated all across Japan.

Edo Kiriko is one of the country’s most famous crafts and the specific Edo variety sees colourful glass being used as a canvas for intricate artworks. To see the mesmerising, meticulous craft in action, head to the museum at the Sumida Edo Kirikokan. Here, you can watch the masters at work and even have a go yourself. From rough cutting your design to using a diamond wheel to create finer cuts and then polishing the glass, the class will take you through every step and offers an immersive and memorable experience that will leave you with an understanding of just how special this craft is to Japanese culture.

Combining upcycling and art, kintsugi is the restoration of broken ceramics using techniques honed by centuries of practice. By fixing vases, bowls and decorative plates, kintsugi is a way to connect with history and rescue what might otherwise be lost. It’s an art that lets the imperfections shine through, quite literally, as the cracks and scars in ceramics are plastered over with lacquer and dusted with gold, creating a shining seam. Embrace this Japanese custom yourself at Tsugu Tsugu Inc where workshops guide you through the restoration process of kintsugi. Using urushi lacquer, broken ceramics are brought back to life and imperfections and cracks are turned into beautiful features using shimmering gold dust. While kintsugi is not exclusive to Asakusa or Ebisu, Tsugu Tsugu offers workshops in the charming old neighbourhood of Asakusa or the glitzy centre of Ebisu.

The art of creating Japanese washi paper takes you to the very foundations of art. Layering fine mulberry threads together creates an intricate canvas, often used in origami, shodo and ukiyo-e, or in the conservation and restoration of ancient manuscripts and paintings. With its distinctive silky shine, washi paper is protected by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage to safeguard the technique from disappearing in the modern world. Joining a washi-making workshop helps protect this arcane skill for generations to come by supporting those still practising it. In Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighbourhood, a pocket of old-world artisanry sits amid the towering skyscrapers. Ozu Washi preserves the practice of Japanese papermaking and you can join a workshop where a paper master guides you through the paper crafting process. Of course, you can take your beautiful creation home at the end.

Chusen Tenugui is the practice of a stencil dying technique used on fabric to create wearable and usable works of art. Vibrant tenugui are often worn as scarves and headbands, or used as decorative wrapping. Striking, block designs – like the outline of Mount Fuji, for example – are hand-dyed onto cloth. The practice is steeped in history, with references to tenugui appear in Heian-era (794-1192 CE) writings. The dyeing technique of chusen, however, was developed much later, most likely in the Meiji period (1868-1912 CE). It wasn’t until the Edo period (1603-1868 CE) that tenugui became popular, when they were used as towels in public bathhouses and onsens.

Be sure to visit Tenukuri Studio, in Tateishi area of Katsushika City, where you can learn the art of chusen tenugui under the guidance of an expert. You’ll learn techniques on huge wooden printing frames and how to master intricate handheld dyes, creating a striking tenugui of your own. This particular piece of Japanese culture can be folded up and stored in your hand luggage after class.

After a workshop, it is worth exploring Tateishi area. The time-frozen area of Tateishi is known for its Showa-era (1926-1989 CE) charm and warm atmosphere, and appears to have escaped the modernisation of much of the rest of Tokyo.  It’s well worth taking some time to stroll the Tateishi Nakamise Shopping Street to peek inside retro, locally-owned shops and eat at the rustic restaurants.

While the above showcases examples of exceptional craftsmanship, sometimes you will want to try something that is accessible to all. Enter origami, a simple yet sophisticated form of art that can be mastered by everyone, from young children to adults. The craft requires only a single sheet of paper to create a form of art. With dedication, even the simplest craft can become a mastery.

Origami is almost meditative in its quiet precision and is a great break from the fast-paced streets of Japan’s capital. In centrally-located Kanda, you’ll find five floors dedicated to this intriguing craft at Origami Kaikan. The lower floors house an origami museum, displaying an array of perfectly-crafted paper sculptures, and a gift shop selling origami paper. Floors four and five are home to the studio and workshop space where an array of origami workshops run throughout the year. You can watch a master at work with a free demonstration, or try your hand at the calm art of paper folding yourself in a hands-on class. Follow the deft hands of an expert to create your own delicate crane or lotus for an artisan souvenir that is lightweight, beautiful and made by your own hand.