Kyoto Workshops

The matcha tea ceremony was so fun and informative! Our instructor was kind, knowledgeable, and open to any questions, which made the experience engaging. I love matcha and decided to learn how to make it properly, so I bought their kit with a bowl, whisk, scoop, and more. We explored the art and mindfulness of matcha, and I loved hearing all the fascinating facts. Every step felt intentional and calming, giving me a deeper appreciation for this traditional practice. If you’re a matcha lover, I highly recommend this experience to fully enjoy and appreciate matcha!

No Sticks, no food! ⸻ An absolutely wonderful chopstick-making workshop in Kyoto! From the moment we arrived, everything was calm, welcoming, and beautifully well-explained. Ryu Kai Soku are outstanding instructors: patient, attentive, and genuinely passionate about their craft. Their guidance is clear and precise, yet always delivered with warmth and good humor. They manage the rare balance of sharing deep traditional know-how while making the experience accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Working with the wood, learning the gestures, and understanding the philosophy behind such a simple yet meaningful object was a real privilege. You don’t just leave with chopsticks — you leave with a story, a skill, and a deep respect for Japanese craftsmanship. Thank you for this memorable experience. Wishing Ryu Kai Soku all the very best for the future — may your workshop continue to inspire many hands and many hearts. Elaine and Arnaud

We enjoyed learning the respectful culture around a traditional tea ceremony. Her ability to teach us in Japanese and English was great for our group. We even got to experience whisking matcha ourselves. Highly recommend.

It was a very good experience, I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good time with their family doing something different. The price is low and you have a few laughs. Then you can put your name on the chopsticks for a pretty low price too. The owners are very friendly and advise you at all times. 10/10 experience, highly recommended.

Knife forging ⸻ The knife forging course I took was a great, beginner-friendly experience. The whole setup—getting to heat the metal, hammer it into shape, and see the process—was exciting and gave a real sense of what it’s like to make a blade. That said, it’s very much an introductory-level activity. When they tell you to hammer, they simply say “hammer”—there’s no in-depth guidance on how much force to use, technique, or finer details. So, if you’re expecting a highly technical lesson, this might not be it. Still, it’s a fantastic way to get a feel for knife forging and to understand the craftsmanship behind handmade knives and even katanas. After making one yourself, you gain a lot of respect for the skill and effort involved in creating a beautiful, functional knife. A word of caution—if you have a weak neck, shoulder issues, or old injuries, be aware that hammering can be a bit strenuous. Overall, it was a memorable and rewarding experience.

We reserved a 30-min slot and arrived a bit early, but they took us in right away. They have baskets for bags and remind you to remove jewelry. There were 3 of us, and the sensei let us choose to make a cup or bowl. I made a cup, the others made bowls, and it was all our first time. The sensei was patient, gave helpful feedback, and even taught me a trick for using my knuckles since my long nails made shaping tricky. There’s an extra charge for a black rim and shipping—our total was about $80 for 3 people (shipping to US + black rim). Totally worth it as a Kyoto keepsake; I’ll drink matcha from my cup and always remember the kindness of the Japanese people from the trip. Highly recommend for beginners! Everyone was super nice and grateful for our participation.

Had no expectations for this other than we were going to make some cool keepsakes. Was blown away by the knowledge of the staff and their willingness to teach us something new, guide us through the process and refine any mistakes or blemishes we may have made. Atsushi and Dotski were especially helpful and skillful. There was no rush to get us out of the facility and food and beer were available afterwards where we were able to sit and talk with fellow patrons and the staff. 100% recommend.

Surely a great day to remember and a highlight to our trip 教練：learned a lot about the history and culture of Japan 體驗：a good taste of Kando experience

This was a great experience! get the complete package instead of just the tea ceremony! q&a and dance was very entertaining! i paid extra 3,300yen for front row seating just approach the guy in the lobby/stairs!! and its worth it! you can see the maiko up close and personal! hahhaa! I enjoyed it! thanks klook!