Do You Have Your Afternoon Schedule Set?
Calligraphy, wagashi, gold leaf, indigo dyeing — spend your Himeji afternoon hands-on with local artisans. Choose from three courses.
All Materials Included
English & Japanese Support
Small Group (2–6 Guests)
Three Courses, Three Crafts
Each course pairs two traditional crafts into a single unhurried afternoon, guided directly by the local makers who practice them.
Wagashi & Matcha
Begin with the quiet discipline of Japanese calligraphy, guided stroke by stroke by a local instructor. Then step into the world of wagashi — shaping delicate seasonal sweets by hand before whisking your own bowl of matcha to enjoy them with. A gentle introduction to two arts that have shaped Japanese aesthetics for centuries.
- Meet at JR Himeji Station Central Exit (in front of Tourist Information) 12:45
- Calligraphy Lesson — brush, ink & paper 90 min
- Hand-Shape Your Own Seasonal Wagashi
- Whisk Your Own Bowl of Matcha
- Enjoy Your Sweets with the Tea You Made
- Dissolve 16:00
Gold Leaf
A rich double dose of Himeji's traditional crafts — from the stillness of brush and ink to the shimmer of hand-applied gold leaf. Work alongside a master craftsman to stamp and finish your own gold leaf keepsake, using techniques passed down for generations.
- Meet at JR Himeji Station Central Exit 13:30
- Calligraphy Lesson 90 min
- Craftsman Demonstration
- Hands-On Gold Leaf Stamping
- Take Home Your Finished Piece
- Dissolve at Himeji Station 17:20
Gold Leaf
Two contrasting crafts, one unforgettable afternoon. Dip and fold your own cloth in a centuries-old indigo vat, watching Japan's iconic blue bloom before your eyes — then finish the day working gold leaf into a keepsake with a master craftsman.
- Meet at Akuto Co., Ltd. 12:50 — 1-41 Minamiuneno-cho, Himeji (approx. 2 min walk from JR Himeji Station South Exit, under the Shinkansen tracks)
- Dye Vat Introduction & Technique
- Hands-On Indigo Dyeing 120 min
- Short Rest approx. 20 min
- Craftsman Demonstration
- Hands-On Gold Leaf Stamping
- Dissolve at Himeji Station 17:20
See the Crafts
Himeji's Living Traditions
Himeji is home to more than its iconic castle. A few streets away, artisans are still practicing skills passed down over generations — the disciplined brushwork of shodo calligraphy, the delicate hand-shaping of wagashi confectionery, the painstaking hand-application of kinpaku gold leaf, and the deep, living blue of aizome indigo dyeing.
Each course pairs you directly with these local makers for an afternoon of hands-on learning, in small groups, at a pace that leaves room to actually enjoy it.
- Group size: minimum 2 / maximum 6 guests.
- Included: experience material fees.
- Not included: food & drink outside of the experiences.
- Languages: Japanese & English.
- Courses 02 & 03 (gold leaf) require booking at least 7 days in advance.
- Course 02 is not available on Tuesdays; Course 03 is not available on Wednesdays or Tuesdays.
- Cancellation Policy: Free up to 3 days before / 1 day before: 50% / Day of: 100%.