Nara: Chopstick-Making Workshop with Artisan
- Carve chopsticks from Nara cedar over a hundred years old, shaped to your own hand
- Watch a skilled host at work, then make your own pair beside them
- Learn how chopsticks are used in Japan, and how the types and shapes differ
- Learn why Nara's cedar forests matter so much within Japan
- Take home a souvenir nobody else has, because you made it yourself
- Choose a deer chopstick rest of Nara pottery to take home as well
- Ask your Nara-born host where to go next before you leave
What to expect
Carve a pair of chopsticks from Nara cedar over a hundred years old - an hour of handwork, shaping the wood one pass at a time.
Learn where the wood comes from and the meaning in the shape of a pair. Something you use without thinking becomes a pair with a story behind it.
- Over a cup of hojicha in a machiya in Naramachi, we run through the session.
- Holding century-old cedar, you learn about the wood and the meaning in the shape.
- After watching your host, you shave the wood thin until the pair fits your hand.
- How to hold and care for them, so a single pair lasts for years.
- Your chopsticks are wrapped in cloth and handed over with a deer chopstick rest of Nara pottery.
Families, couples, friends and solo travellers all welcome.
Reviews
My friend and I decided to sign up when we made plans to go to Nara for the day. It was a really fun experience. The instructor was really nice and was very knowledgeable about Nara and the different goods that are produced there. He was really funny and shared many stories with us. The finished product is gently wrapped up for you after your chopsticks are complete. I would 100% recommend trying this out. It's a great souvenir to bring back home with you and the great tea and stories just make it a better experience.
Masaki-san and company are incredible. Extremely knowledgeable and more importantly, enthusiastic about Nara and everything Nara has to offer. Masaki-san, Mike-san and the guesthouse owner were all the perfect amount of friendly, warm, educational and funny. Highly recommend to add to your Nara experience.
What an amazing and personable experience this was! My wife and I organised a day trip to Nara and decided to book this course via Klook as a last-minute idea. We thoroughly enjoyed it, had plenty of laughs, and learned a lot about Japanese culture as well as the history of Nara and the surrounding area. The instructor was incredibly personable and even went above and beyond by recommending places for us to visit and eat while we’re on our honeymoon. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone wanting a relaxed and enjoyable activity while in Japan!
Private chopstick making class was lovely, snacks and refreshments were also wonderful!
we had an excellent time - very informative on the history of cedar in the Nara prefecture, chopstick making techniques, and cultural insights. we also got great recommendations on places to eat and visit! our 12yo was very engaged and proud of his chopsticks.
Very nice tour with useful background information. Our guide was very friendly, courteous, and helpful. They gave us additional information and tips for Nara and other cities. Highly recommended :)
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