Heritage Experiences

Kyoto Karasuma Area: Tea Ceremony Experience with Japanese Traditional Sweets Making

Duration

1 hr 5 min - 2 hr 5 min

Craft two seasonal Japanese traditional wagashi sweets with step-by-step instructor guidance in a hands-on Kyoto sweets workshop.

Learn traditional coloring and shaping techniques using bean pastes inspired by Kyoto confectionery culture.

Discover the cultural meaning of wagashi and how seasonal sweets connect to Japanese tea traditions.

Upgrade to include a casual Uji matcha tea ceremony with a grinding demonstration and prepare your own bowl of matcha.

Choose the expanded workshop option to also make traditional Ohigashi sweets using fine Wasanbon sugar.

Instructor-led Japanese traditional sweets workshop

Make 2 seasonal Japanese traditional wagashi sweets

Traditional Ohigashi making (based on option selected)

Casual Uji matcha tea ceremony (based on option selected)

Matcha grinding demonstration (as per option selected)

Ingredients, tools, and materials provided

Cultural explanation by local instructor

Hotel transfers to/from the venue

Additional food or drinks not listed

Personal expenses or souvenirs

Take-home container for finished sweets (to be paid at the spot)

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Learn the art of Japanese wagashi in Kyoto as you shape Japanese traditional sweets by hand, with optional add-ons like a casual Uji matcha tea ceremony.

Getting started

Arrive near Gojo Station on the Karasuma subway line and check in at the studio. After a short introduction, meet your instructor, receive an overview of the workshop, and get set up at your workstation with the tools and ingredients provided.

What to expect

Kyoto wagashi workshop

A hands-on cultural class where you learn to craft Nerikiri—high-grade Japanese sweets shaped to reflect the seasons.

Features

Make seasonal Nerikiri: Create two Nerikiri sweets using colored white bean paste while learning traditional shaping and finishing techniques.

Step-by-step instruction: Follow clear guidance from your instructor as you learn how to color, mold, and shape the sweets into seasonal motifs.

Learn wagashi culture: Discover the background of wagashi and how these delicate sweets reflect seasonal themes in Japanese tea culture.

Upgrades

Upgrade to a casual matcha tea ceremony with a matcha grinding demonstration, or choose the expanded workshop option to make traditional Ohigashi sweets.

What to bring

Please bring a valid photo ID.

What’s not allowed

Non-participants are not permitted to enter the studio. However, children under 2 years old who sit on a parent’s lap can enter without extra charge.

Accessibility

Access to the studio involves stairs and there is no elevator in the building. Wheelchair access may therefore be limited.

Additional information

Operating hours are from 10am to 5pm, and reservations received after 5pm are processed on the following day.

Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and the session will begin as scheduled.

English translation support can be arranged on request by contacting the provider in advance.

Total duration includes 10 minutes of on-site time after the experience ends

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.