Type and hit ENTER
  • HOME
  • CATEGORY
    • Japanese Apartment Life
    • Moving Tips
    • Interior Design
    • Local Area Guides
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
Logo
  • HOME
  • Japanese Apartment Life
  • Moving Tips
  • Interior Design
  • Local Area Guides
  • Village House

ENG

  • 日本語
  • ENG
  • PT
  • VI
Local Area Guides

Traditional Japanese Crafts You Should Try At least Once

2021-11-16

Trying out some Japanese crafts is one of the best things to do in Japan to get involved with Japanese culture and history, plus it is very fun! You’ll probably leave the experience having learned a new skill, made some beautiful memories and you’ll probably have a memento to remember the experience by too!

If you’re looking for things to do in Japan on a rainy day or as the weather gets cold, perhaps you’d like to try out some of the Japanese crafts listed below. From Japanese textiles to origami, to kokedama, there are so many things to do in Japan.

Japanese pottery

Pottery Class

It’s no secret to the world that Japan has some of the most unique and intricate pottery practices. Potters and aspiring potters travel from so many different countries to experience a pottery class with a Japanese pottery sensei, it is one of the most famous Japanese crafts internationally. If you are spending any time in Japan, a pottery class is one of the many therapeutic and exciting things to do in Japan.

Some of the most popular ceramic Japanese crafts include Bizen ware, which originates in Okayama prefecture. It’s popular in interior design for its raw aesthetic, the Bizen pottery is unglazed and made using special clay from deep underground which when fired (at a very high temperature) creates beautiful markings. Arita is a small town in Saga prefecture, and it is the birthplace of porcelain in Japan. Raku pottery is a style that originated in Kyoto, a Japanese craft famous across the world for the patterns that are created when the ceramic piece is forced to cool quickly once taken out of the kiln.

All these areas will have various pottery workshops where you can enjoy a pottery class. If you ever find yourself in any of these areas and can take a pottery class, you’ll get to try out a unique ceramic craft local to the area.

768x300 EN

It’s worth bearing in mind that a pottery class will usually involve three different processes; first, you make the shape, either on a pottery wheel or building it by hand, next once the clay has dried up, you can neaten your piece and add any finishing touches. The piece then goes into the kiln for a ‘biscuit firing’ and the third step is when you glaze the piece, adding the colors to it, after which it goes back into the kiln. You’ll need to allow time for the clay to dry and for the firing processes, so it usually takes more than one pottery class to finish a whole piece from start to finish!

That being said, there are plenty of pottery classes that offer a one-time experience, even a lot of Japanese pottery workshops will offer these too. If you’re attending a one-time pottery class, often you will make your pieces and select your glazes in the class and afterward the pottery sensei will neaten up your pieces and apply the glaze after the firing. You can then arrange to collect the pieces or get them posted depending on the place!

bamboo crafts

Kokedama

There are plenty of Japanese crafts that involve nature in some way or another, think bonsai, ikebana kado (flower arranging), bamboo crafts. Pretty much all the crafts are inspired by nature somehow and kokedama is no exception. The art of bonsai takes a lot of time so bonsai classes might not be an option for a lot of people, but fortunately for any plant-lovers searching for things to do in Japan, kokedama can be made in just one workshop.

Often called a poor man’s bonsai, kokedama-making is tied into the art of bonsai. It involves taking the roots of a plant and covering them in a special mud/clay soil called akadama which is formed into a ball around the plant roots. The kokedama ball is then covered in green moss and this is tied together using nylon or aluminum string.

Kokedama makes a beautiful accent piece and they can even be tied up and suspended in the air for more of a mystical feel.

Japanese textiles

Weaving Japanese textiles

There are so many different kinds of Japanese textiles to learn about. Spending time at a loom weaving some fabric might be just what you want if you are looking for relaxing things to do in Japan.

There are various woven Japanese textiles for kimono weaving, such as Nishijin-ori from Kyoto which involves weaving silk, or Kurume-gasuri from Fukuoka which involves weaving cotton.

768x300 EN

If you are looking for Japanese crafts to try out, why not try working with Japanese textiles? There are various places offering weaving workshops or fabric dyeing workshops too.

Okinawa and the Okinawan islands are also famous for their textiles, you could try making Miyako jofu which is a traditional Miyakojima textile.

Japanese papercraft

Origami

Something that often appears on various lists for things to do in Japan is origami. This Japanese papercraft has so many breathtaking designs you can try out, no wonder it is one of the most popular Japanese crafts.

An origami workshop will usually be much cheaper and shorter than some of the other crafts workshops on this list and it is easy to find an origami workshop pretty much anywhere in Japan!

Shodo

Shodo

Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) is a beautiful traditional Japanese craft that is still so prevalent in modern Japanese life. Shodo is one of the subjects in Japanese schools.

There are calligraphy classes all across Japan. From how to hold a brush to the stroke orders, there is so much to learn about Japanese calligraphy that we recommend you try it out!

As a bonus, for anyone who doesn’t know Japanese, you’ll get to learn some Kanji and perhaps even figure out the kanji for your name!

2021-11-16
Email
PREVIOUS POST
Where to Enjoy Autumn Leaves in Shizuoka
NEXT POST
How to Clean Walls in Japanese Apartments
Image Not Found On Media Library

RANKING
  • AdobeStock 692859451 1
    Short-Term Rentals in Japan: All About Monthly Mansions
    2025-05-23

    If you’re going on a long-term business trip or looking for …

  • image3 8
    Pet Friendly Rental Properties – Is It Possible to Get a Pet in the Middle of Your Lease?  
    2023-12-18

    Are you thinking about adopting a pet but not sure if it’s o…

  • cristian tarzi 11yZ43jn664 unsplash
    The Best Places to Shop for Furniture in Japan
    2023-01-10

    No matter if you just moved to Japan and need to furnish a w…

  • danchi photo
    What is a Danchi? The History of Danchi
    2023-01-06

    Have you ever heard of the term danchi? If so, then you may …

  • thumbnail 1
    How To Get Government Rental Assistance
    2022-11-24

    Introduction The recent Covid-19 pandemic has seen people…

SEARCH
CATEGORY
  • Japanese Apartment Life

    Japanese Apartment Life

  • Moving Tips

    Moving Tips

  • Interior Design

    Interior Design

  • Local Area Guides

    Local Area Guides

Image Not Found On Media Library

INSTAGRAM

villagehousejp

🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ダンスの時間! 🎶🇬🇧 Time for a little dance! 🎶🇧🇷 Hora de dançar um pouco! 🎶
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣埼玉県の巾着田曼珠沙華公園で彼岸花が満開❣️ 10月5日まで開催の巾着田曼珠沙華まつりをお見逃しなく!🇬🇧 Red spider lilies are in full bloom at Saitama’s Kinchakuda Manjushage Park❣️ Enjoy the festival before it ends on October 5!🇧🇷 Lírios vermelhos estão em plena floração no Parque Kinchakuda Manjushage, em Saitama❣️ Aproveite o festival antes que ele termine em 5 de outubro!🎥 @sora111128
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣岩手県花巻市で賃貸物件をお探しですか?ビレッジハウス下北 ✏️ 光ファイバーインターネット ✏️ バス・トイレ別 ✏️ 駐車場完備!ビレッジハウスでお得な賃貸物件を見つけましょう!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクをタップ!🇬🇧 Looking for a rental apartment in Hanamaki-shi, Iwate? Village House Shimokita ✏️ Fiber optic internet ✏️ Separate bath and toilet ✏️ Parking space! Find great apartment deals with Village House! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!🇧🇷 Procurando um apartamento para alugar em Hanamaki-shi, Iwate? Village House Shimokita ✏️ Internet de fibra óptica ✏️ Banho e vaso sanitário separados ✏️ Espaço de estacionamento! Encontre ótimas ofertas de apartamentos com a Village House! 👉 Toque no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣春分や秋分の時期になると、千葉の亀岩の洞窟に朝日が差し込み輝くハートが水面に現れます 💖 ビレッジハウス向田から車で50分! 👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクをタップ!🇬🇧 Around the time of the equinoxes, the morning sun streams through Chiba's Kameiwa Cave, forming a glowing heart on the water's surface 💖 If you live at Village House Mukaeda, you'll be a 50-minute drive away! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!🇧🇷 Na época dos equinócios, o sol da manhã flui pela caverna Kameiwa, em Chiba, formando um coração brilhante na superfície da água 💖 Se você morar no Village House Mukaeda, estará a 50 minutos de carro! 👉 Toque no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!📸 @washima12
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣秋田の道の駅「ねむの丘」で海を感じてリフレッシュ!ドライブの途中に立ち寄って、ほっとひと息つけるおすすめスポットです✨🇬🇧 Soak up the ocean vibes at Akita’s Nemu no Oka! This roadside station is the perfect spot to relax and recharge during a road trip ✨🇧🇷 Absorva a vibe do oceano no Nemu no Oka em Akita! Esta estação à beira da estrada é o local perfeito para relaxar e recarregar as energias durante uma viagem🎥 @shu________to
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣茨城県常総市で賃貸物件をお探しですか?ビレッジハウス石下🔎エアコン付き🔎インターネット接続可🔎バス・トイレ別。ホウホウ!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクをタップ!🇬🇧 Looking for a rental apartment in Joso-shi, Ibaraki? Village House Ishige 🔎 AC 🔎 Internet 🔎 Separate bath and toilet. Hoot hoot! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!🇧🇷 Procurando um apartamento para alugar em Joso-shi, Ibaraki? Village House Ishige 🔎 Ar-condicionado🔎 Internet 🔎 Banho e vaso sanitário separados. Uuh uuh! 👉 Toque no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣みんなもついやっちゃってますよね…?🫣🇬🇧 Is anyone else guilty of this...? 🫣🇧🇷 Alguém mais é culpado disso...? 🫣
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣福岡の大濠公園で9月30日まで開催される、魅惑の光のショー「宙-SORA-」!💖🇬🇧 SORA is a captivating light show at Fukuoka's Ohori Park, on till the 30th of September! 💖🇧🇷 SORA é um espetáculo de luzes cativante no Parque Ohori em Fukuoka, até 30 de setembro! 💖🎥 @y.h5644
Follow on Instagram
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram

Sign up for the latest blog updates below! 新しいブログが投稿されたらお知らせします! Ser notificado quando novos blogs forem postados! Được thông báo khi blog mới được đăng!

  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY

©VILLAGE HOUSE. All rights reserved

Traditional Japanese Crafts You Should Try At least Once