【STORY】In the bustling town of Asakusa, widely known for attracting domestic and international tourists with iconic landmarks like the Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji Temple, did you know it's also a hidden gem for artisans and craftsmen? With the blessing of the Sumida River's water transportation, Asakusa flourished as the birthplace of Edo culture, drawing people seeking entertainment like Kabuki and spiritual refuge at temples. Today, it not only cherishes traditional craftsmen who have supported geisha culture, Kabuki, festivals, and temples but also continues to be a thriving hub for contemporary creators—a town that crafts things. One such establishment preserving the tradition is Glass Factory Sokichi, offering an experience with the age-old art of Edo Kiriko.Known for handling a wide range of glasses, from foreign to original Edo Kiriko, Glass Factory Sokichi is cherished by numerous restaurants and bartenders worldwide. Collaborating with Japanese craftsmen and small factories, we offer unique products, including the original Sokichi Kiriko. Drawing from Sokichi's background in meticulous craftsmanship as both a producer and artisan, deeply committed to the pursuit of 'beauty in utilitarian objects,' the original Edo Kiriko experience offered here is truly one of a kind.Free from rigid conventions, the experience encourages participants to think about how they can enjoy Edo Kiriko. Sokichi constantly expands glass varieties, considers patterns for selection, and pursues entertainment while providing customers with an experiential platform. Edo Kiriko, with its intricate cut patterns, is delightful to behold, but crafting your own glass with a chosen pattern adds a touch of vibrancy to everyday meals and relaxation. Whether you're familiar with Edo Kiriko or discovering it for the first time, the experience is sure to captivate you through its delicate beauty. Visit Glass Factory Sokichi and indulge in your personalized Edo Kiriko experience. What is Edo Kiriko? Originating in the late Edo period in 1834, Edo Kiriko began when the common people of Edo added cut glasswork to Western-style glass. This tradition has been passed down without interruption, designated as a traditional craft of Tokyo in 1985 and a traditional craft of Japan in 2002. Referring to glass crafts produced in Tokyo, Edo Kiriko is characterized by its stylish cuts featuring soft curves.For Those Wanting to Dive Deeper:If you're eager to not only experience Kiriko but also learn more about the history of Cutting Glass, there's an option for a guided plan (30-minute lecture + 90-minute experience).Crafting Your Own Unique Edo Kiriko in Asakusa: A One-of-a-Kind Experience in the Town of Artisans (With Lecture Session)【HIGHLIGHTS】 Experience the time-honored traditional craft of Edo Kiriko, which has continued since the Edo period first-hand. Choose from a diverse range of glasses, made possible by Glass Factory Sokichi's extensive glass lineup.Select your favorite design from dozens of samples to carve along the side and bottom.Create a glass that is uniquely yours, adding a touch of beauty to your everyday life with Edo Kiriko.Take home the one-of-a-kind glass you personally carved.Enjoy a convenient location just a short walk from the station, allowing for an easy combination of Asakusa sightseeing and a casual yet authentic experience.【SCHEDULE】You can choose the start time for this plan. Please choose your preferred start time when you make your reservation. [00:00] Lecture and practice on the cutting technique of Kiriko [00:20] Choose and carve the pattern for the bottom of your preferred glass [00:50] Choose and carve the pattern for the side of your preferred glass [01:20] At the photography corner, capture an image of your one-of-a-kind original glass with your own mobile phone or camera [01:30] End; take home the completed glass ・We provide a tailored guidance for each individual's skill level, providing enjoyment for a wide range of ages from beginners and children to adults. ・The created pieces are carefully placed in a box on the spot for you to take home. (Delivery service is available for a fee. For customers residing overseas who wish to have their glass delivered to a domestic accommodation facility, please arrange with sufficient lead time.) 【OTHER THINGS TO NOTE】Duration:90 minutesMeeting point: Glass Factory Sokichi [MAP]2-1-14, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034Access: ●Tokyo Metro Ginza Line:Exit from Asakusa Station's 4th exit and walk immediately. The studio is located two buildings ahead from "Gonpachi" on the ground level. Next to "Yomo Saketen," you will find a shop displaying numerous glasses.●Toei Subway Asakusa Line:From Asakusa Station's A3 exit, it's a few minutes on foot. Take the narrow road beside "Hongkong-tei," next to the Kaminarimon Post Office. Turn right and then left at the end; it's approximately 300 meters ahead.Note: About a 5-minute walk from the Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji Temple.Language support:English and Chinese are available. Please contact us in advance.Included :・Experience fee・One clear glassExcluded :・Colored overlay glass (Available for selection at an additional cost)・Delivery feeItems to bring:We recommend you to bring the following items if necessary.・Glasses / reading glasses・Hair bands (provided if required)Participation requirements:Children aged 9 and above can participate in the experience.Free Wi-Fi:NoToilet:Yes(Western-Style)Other things to note:If you plan to accompany and participate with your child, we appreciate it if you could contact us in advance. As the tasks require concentration, there may be instances where accompaniment is not possible. We appreciate your understanding.【CANCELLATION POLICY】Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%
【OUTLINE】Indulge in Hiroshima’s food culture and cook your own okonomiyaki. In this program, you will be introduced to the authentic Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the culinary specialty of Hiroshima and the ultimate staple of Japanese cuisine. The staff from the Otafuku Sauce Co. will teach you some tips on cooking okonomiyaki. You will learn the deep connection between Hiroshima's recovery post-war and okonomiyaki. 【HIGHLIGHTS】On this program, you will gain a deeper insight into Hiroshima’s cultural heritage and master the technique of cooking Japanese cuisine on a "teppan" (griddle).Experience unique Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (Hiroshima has the largest number of okonomiyaki stores per capita in Japan.)This plan was developed by the worldwide manufacturer of savory Japanese condiments, Otafuku Sauce Co. Enjoy tasting a variety of sauces.Traditional dishes sit alongside well-executed set menus, with favorites including seasonal desserts, culinary oysters, and three drinks of your choice (including the craft beer, for this plan only!). Direct connection to Shinkansen lines / 2 minute walk from Hiroshima station.【SCHEDULE】Choose from two start times, 12:00 or 18:30. [13:00/18:30] Starting experience in Okosta[13:40/19:10] Meal[14:30/20:00] Finish[14:30/20:00] Free time (You can enjoy shopping and a sauce bar!)【DETAILS】Experience the essence of Japan with a gourmet food tour and make your own okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is described as Japanese ‘soul food’ and the culinary specialty of Hiroshima. Hiroshima is home to 1,600 okonomiyaki shops and is known as the prime okonomiyaki city in Japan. In this program, you will learn the basics of cooking okonomiyaki unique to Hiroshima, which includes putting ingredients such as cabbage, tempura crisps, green onions, bean sprouts, porks, noodles, and an egg in layers on the "teppan", or griddle, without mixing, and topping with sauces and condiments. The sweetness of the cabbage perfectly matches the taste and the noodles make you full after just one piece of okonomiyaki. After cooking okonomiyaki, enjoy it with the sauce made by Otafuku Sauce Co., a worldwide manufacturer of savory Japanese condiments. You can choose from 8 types of sauces.Veggie-filled okonomiyaki is a great option for health conscious people! In addition, it is suitable for Muslim and Vegetarian visitors.【THINGS TO NOTE】Duration:90 minutesMeeting point:OKOSTA1-2, Matsubaracho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima-City, Hiroshima, 732-0822, JapanAccess: Directly connected to Hiroshima station of Shinkansen · 2 minutes on foot・About 10 minutes walk from Shakkeien・About 15 minutes walk from Hiroshima CastleLanguage support: Japanese, EnglishIncluded: Okonomiyaki making the experience, seasonal desserts, culinary oysters, two drinks you like(including the craft beer only for this plan!)Participation requirements: 6 years of age and overUnder 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult (1 adult per 1 child)Free Wi-Fi:〇Toilet:〇(Western-style) 2 minutes from the OKOSTA, in the "ekie" shopping centerOther things to note:Due to events etc., the date and time of holding may differ or may not be implemented.The schedules might be canceled because of the weather, disasters and any other reasons.【FUN FACTS】 ~The historical background of Hiroshima and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki ~・Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki was created after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. It was cooked with a little bit of flour which was provided with foreign aid and cabbage and bean sprouts which were very cheap. Okonomiyaki was created while people were recovering post-war.・Since Hiroshima was known for its steel industry, general people were able to easily get griddles. This made it easy for okonomiyaki to gain popularity.・Some women opened okonomiyaki stores after they lost their husbands and they assisted the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki boom. 【NEARBY AREA INTRODUCTION】Blessed with beautiful scenery and the grandeur of its natural landscapes, take a guided tour around Hiroshima City, home to the A-Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine; the two world heritage sites, and overlook the gentle waves approaching the neighboring islands in the distance.【CANCELLATION POLICY】7 to 4 days before the tour date 30% of the tour price3 to 1 day before the tour date 60% of the tour price The day of the tour date 100% of the tour price
【Outline】Make a samurai knife with an authentic swordsmith certified by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. First, you will watch a demonstration and then you will make a unique special souvenir to take home with you. You can come to our location from the Himeji Castle by car. 【Highlights】 Witness a demonstration of a traditional swordsmith up close at a workshop which creates Japanese swords. Make your very own samurai knife. Keep your samurai knife as a souvenir. Learn directly from a swordsmith certified by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. Located in a glorious greenery filled park, you can enjoy Japanese nature. 【Schedule】Assemble at the sword factory → Demonstration of Japanese sword making → Samurai Knife making (Mold → Quenching → Polishing) → Experience → End【Details】Visit our sword factory located in Rakan no Sato, a beautiful historical park where you can indulge in each of the four seasons through the cherry blossoms, camellia, and colored leafs. There are Rakan statues which were made to mourn the spirit of the warriors during Japan's Sengoku (Warring States) Period and a rare water mill. Relax while enjoying nature and history.In our sword factory located in the forest, you can watch the demonstration of a traditional swordsmith up close. Observe the process of bending and kneading the steel material that has been heated to 1200 degrees.After observing, you will make a knife that you can actually use. After forming your blade by filing it, you will heat it to 800 degrees and harden and polish it. We will be working with blades and fire, so please closely follow our instructions to avoid injury.Although your knife will be small, you will use the techniques of the Japanese sword making. The knife you make will absolutely be a special souvenir from your visit to Japan.【Things to note】Duration:5 hours (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9:00-18:00)Only 1 group is available for each dayMeeting point:Rakan no Sato / KATANAKAZI Kikyo Hayamitsu28 Uryu Rakanguchi, Yanocho, Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture 678-0091Access:About 2 hours from Osaka Station to Rakan no Sato(1) Bus: 20 minutes on foot from Uryuhigashi Station(2) Taxi: 16 minutes by taxi from Aioi Station (approximately 3,000 yen)(3) Taxi: 1 hour by taxi from Himeji Station (approximately 10,000 yen) Language support:Japanese, Basic EnglishIncluded :Samurai knife and a case, light meal (sandwiches) and drink (coffee or water)※Please contact us in advance if you have any food allergies.Participation requirements:Over 18 years oldFree Wi-Fi:NoneToilet:Japanese style and Western styleOther things to note:・Please follow the instructions since we deal blades.・Before you experience, you need to sign the letter of consent to follow the rules during the activity.・If children under the age of 18 are attending, the parents' agreement is required.【Cancellation policy】7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour priceThe day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price
【OUTLINE】Learn the techniques of preparing elaborate food samples unique to Japan. Create your own real-size parfait, curry rice, or fried rice. This is perfect for the whole family; your kids are sure to love it! Watch your creation come to life as you decorate it.【HIGHLIGHTS】Make authentic food displays identical to those in Japanese restaurants/shops.Enjoy an experience perfect for the entire family! Your kids will love it!Learn the history of Japan's wide usage of realistic food displays.【SCHEDULE】 Parfait:Select the color of the sauce and five components of the parfait → Add the soft ice cream → Decorate with the toppings → Complete!Curry Rice:Soften the ingredients in warm water and cut with scissors → Knead rice and glue together and arrange on dish → Pour on the curry roux (melted wax) → Cut up and add pickled vegetables → Finally, the staff will add gloss with varnish → Complete!Fried Rice:Soften components in warm water and cut with scissors → Add glue to the fried rice components and mix → Arrange on dish → Decorate with remaining components → Complete!【DETAILS】The elaborate food samples lined up in front of restaurants and other shops are a distinctive element of Japanese culture and are popular as souvenirs. Create one of your own food samples to take home with you as a fun, unique souviner. When booking, you can choose a parfait, curry rice, or fried rice for your experience. Enjoy a uniquely Japanese experience, and when you take your creation home, it will bring back memories of the food you ate in Japan. People around you will be amazed! Our staff’s careful instructions will create a memorable experience for your whole family.〇 ParfaitA mid-sized parfait with an opening of 7 cm and a height of 9 cm. You can create it yourself down to pouring the sauce material. Choose 5 real-sized fruits, and experience pouring the sauce, squeezing the soft ice cream and adding toppings.〇 Curry RiceAbout 14.5 cm in diameter.Realistic curry rice using wax. You can choose vegetables, meat, pickled vegetables, etc.〇 Fried RiceAbout 14.5 cm in diameter.Fried rice made of wax. Made by pouring melted wax into hot water to create egg, cutting solid wax with scissors, etc.Limited to 24 people per session.【THINGS TO NOTE】Duration:30 mins to 1 hour (Depending on the number of participants)Meeting point:Yamato Sample Workshop 3Room 101, 4-18-2 Tachimatsu Mansion, Kami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0012 [MAP]Access:Tobu Tojo Line (Kita-Ikebukuro Station), 6 minutes on footLanguage support:Guide - partly in EnglishIncluded :・Sample food product・Packing box・Hand-held bagFree Wi-Fi:✖Toilet(Western style):〇 Other things to note:If we are unable to hold the class for some reason, we will inform you by e-mail by the day before your reservation.※ Closed: Wednesday and Thursday. However, we may be closed due to group reservations or business trips, etc.※ Classes available: 10 am-4 pmLast Class: 4 pm, Open until 5 pmClosed from December 25th to January 5th【CANCELLATION POLICY】 7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour priceThe day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price
【OUTLINE】Transform into a Maiko in a real teahouse (the place where geiko entertain their guests) in the Gion district established in the Taisho Era (1912-1926). Become a maiko found only in Kyoto, and have your pictures taken of your beautiful Maiko silhouette in the Tsuboniwa courtyard in Kyo-Machiya (a traditional wooden house in Kyoto). No special preparation is necessary--leave it to us! You will receive three 2L-size (127 x 178mm) photos as a memorable souvenir of the experience.【HIGHLIGHTS】 Transform into an authentic Maiko with Japanese makeup, don a brilliant hair ornament, and strut your stuff in a gorgeous kimono! Time travel as you step into the authentic Tsuboniwa courtyard in Kyo-Machiya, where water-filled bamboo tubes and garden lanterns have been lined up for your experience. Have your pictures taken by a photographer who is well-versed in capturing true essence of the beauty of maiko. 【SCHEDULE】 Arrival→(Plan confirmation)→Make-up and dressing up→Photography→Take off your kimono and prepare to go home→Photo pick-up→End【DETAILS】・Change into a MaikoThe venue for the Maiko experience is a real teahouse in the Gion district established in the Taisho Era, which is a 1-minute walk from the south gate of the Yasaka Shrine.From the moment you step into our shop, we will immediately start your magical transformation into an authentic Maiko. After putting on special underwear for kimonos, we'll start applying Japanese make-up.And lastly, you can change into a gorgeous kimono of your choosing. You can then select a Japanese hair ornament that matches your style.・Photography at the Tsuboniwa courtyard.In the authentic Tsuboniwa courtyard in Kyo-Machiya, water-filled bamboo-tubes and garden lanterns have been arranged, and the beautiful backgrounds of the four seasons highlight the maiko's beauty.In the Tsuboniwa, the photographer, who knows how to capture the true essence of a maiko's beauty, will teach you how to pose like a Maiko and will take pictures of your silhouette from the best angles. The garden will become a private space for one group of people during photography. You can also take insta-worthy pictures by yourself for 10 minutes in the garden or in front of the store using your own smartphone or camera. ・Photo pick upAfter the photographer is finished with your photos, take off the kimono, wig, and make-up and go back to your old self. When you've finished dressing, please pick up the photo album and take it back with you.【THINGS TO NOTE】Duration:2.5 hoursMeeting point:Gion AYA499-8, Shimogawara, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto [MAP] Access: 【Taxi】(recommended)From Kyoto station is take around 15 minutes (1,200 yen) Let the driver know that you want to go to Ryotei Hamasaku. 【Train】1. Take the number 7 exit at Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line and take the Shijo-dori Street in the direction of the Yasaka Shrine. 2. At the intersection in front of the Yasaka shrine, cross the street in the direction of the Gion Koban (Police box) and turn left. Cross the crosswalk in front of the shop called Tsuruha drug store in the direction of the Yasaka Shrine. 3.Turn right in front of the Yasaka shrine and walk 100 meters. Turn left at Hotel Sunline and walk 100 meters.4.Turn right in front of Cafe Jouvencelle and walk 35 meters. Turn left on the road between the Japanese-style confectionery shop and Ryotei Hamasaku and the shop is on your left side. Language support: Japanese, EnglishIncluded: ・Maiko experience・Pictures of 3 poses・Three 2L-size (127×178mm) photosExcluded:Makeup products to use after the Maiko makeup is removedParticipation requirements: ・10 years and above・Height:145㎝ and above・Please consult us if bust or hip size is 120cm and above ・gender:FemaleFree Wi-Fi:YesToilet:Yes(Western style) Other things to note:If you have sensitive skin, the experience is at your own risk 【HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES】・Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff・Gear/equipment sanitized between uses・Regular temperature checks for staff【FUN FACTS】 The job of a Maiko is to entertain guests with traditional arts such as singing, dancing, playing the shamisen, etc. in the "go-kagai" (5 geisha quarters) in Kyoto. It is the training period of a "Geiko" (a geisha in Kyoto), and after 5 years of training as a Maiko she can turn into a geiko. Originally, in the Edo period, there was a teahouse in Higashiyama where the Yasaka Shrine is. Women who worked at the teahouse sang songs and performed for the visitors to the temples and shrines and people traveling on the road. This is the origin of the Geiko/Maiko. In accordance with the strict tradition of the geisha world around Gion, they are still working. But most of the Maiko you will see on the street may be tourists dressed up. Even the locals rarely see Maiko, so if you see one you are really lucky. Besides Kyoto, there are also other places where women entertain their guests but the name Geiko or Maiko is only used in Kyoto.【NEARBY AREA INTRODUCTION】 The shrine in the Higashiyama area is famous for holding the Gion Festival. It is the headquarters of Yasaka Shrines and the affiliated 2,300 shrines all over Japan that enshrine the Shinto god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto. The shrine is also called [Gion san] endearingly. They say it was founded in 656 by Irishi, the messenger from Goguryeo, Korea. The number of worshipers during the first 3 days of the New Year exceeds 1 million, second in Kyoto after Fushimi Inari Shrine. You can also visit the shrine at night. Here you find the main building built in Gion style (covering the main hall and the hall of worship with one roof). It houses the Utsukushi-gozen-sha Shrine with natural spring water that will make your face and heart pretty and also the Okuninushi-sha Shrine, the gods of marriage.【CANCELLATION POLICY】7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price 3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour price The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price ※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation. ※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.
【OUTLINE】In this class, you will be able to experience the uniquely Japanese technology of making elaborate food samples.For this class, you will be making a food sample of ramen. You will bend the fake noodles you create and arrange other ingredients to go on top. It will undoubtedly be a blast for both children and adults!The staff will teach you step by step to make this a memorable experience for the whole family.【HIGHLIGHTS】Experience food sample technology so elaborate that you could mistake your sample for the real thing.Experience Japanese culture through creating of one of Japan's favorite dishes: Ramen.You can make soy sauce ramen, one of the most traditional types of ramen. It is an ideal souvenir.You will learn how to design and shape the wax parts to create your original ramen food sample.Learn the history of food samples.【SCHEDULE】 Put the noodles and other parts in hot water to soften them and shape them → Cut up some green onions → Pour the broth and put your ingredients on top → Leave in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes until hardened → Your ramen is complete!【DETAILS】Lining up elaborate food samples in front of restaurants is part of Japanese culture. Food samples are also very popular as souvenirs.You can experience making a food sample of soy sauce ramen, one of Japan's favorites.By bending the straight wax noodles to look more natural, cutting each ingredient and placing them on top, and pouring the broth, you can create an appetizing bowl of ramen.You can make a completely unique bowl of ramen by shaping the parts made of wax into your favorite forms and creating your own design.You can take your ramen home with you, and the noodles won't even go soft!You will be working with noodles, ingredients, and broth that are pre-made. The end result is a bowl of ramen that looks virtually real. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about Japanese food sample technology!Get a feel of Japanese culture by participating in this uniquely Japanese experience!Each session is limited to 24 people.【THINGS TO NOTE】Duration:30 mins to 1 hour (Depending on the number of participants)Meeting point:Yamato Sample Workshop 3Room 101, 4-18-2 Tachimatsu Mansion, Kami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0012 [MAP]Access:Tobu Tojo Line (Kita-Ikebukuro Station), 6 minutes on footLanguage support:Guide - partly in EnglishIncluded :・Sample food product・Packing box・Hand-held bagFree Wi-Fi:✖Toilet(Western style):〇 Other things to note:If we are unable to hold the class for some reason, we will inform you by e-mail by the day before your reservation.※ Closed: Wednesday and Thursday. However, we may be closed due to group reservations or business trips, etc.※ Classes available: 10 am-4 pmLast Class: 4 pm, Open until 5 pmClosed from December 25th to January 5th【CANCELLATION POLICY】 7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour priceThe day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price