Tokyo Kintsugi Workshop: Simple Gold Repair Class near Shin Koenji reviews, Tokyo tours & activities, fun things to do in Tokyo | VELTRA

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Tokyo Kintsugi Workshop: Simple Gold Repair Class near Shin Koenji

Overall Rating

5.00 5.00 / 5

Reviews

39 reviews
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Wonderful Experience!

Reviewed by: Michie-san, 2024/03/01

This will be one of my treasured memories from Japan. The Kuges share the essence of this tradition and craft so wonderfully. The little piece we worked on will bring much joy each time I use it.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2024/02/25
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Best class ever

Reviewed by: Daniel , 2024/02/19

It's such a beautiful and healing class! You're in a small place in the suburbs of Tokyo, surrounded by local folks going about their day - and you will learn the subtle art of Kintsugi while sharing stories of life. The owners could not be kinder and more generous and I appreciated so much how easy they made it to understand what to do. I recommend the class to everyone but make sure you are ready to join their world - not demand your own. You will be rewarded. Thank you!!!

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2024/02/17
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A delightful and novel experience

Reviewed by: Carolyn Dodd, 2024/02/13

We were given this Kintsugi Tryout class by our children as a Xmas present. And what a delightful and fun experience it was!
The tiny workshop, filled with examples of kintsugi to provide inspiration, was only just big enough for us both, two other more experienced Japanese students, and our two wonderful teachers Mr and Mrs Kuge. The latter is a force of nature who provided home made lemon cake, endless tea, written and spoken stories about kintsugi in English, and a shopping list to encourage us to pursue our new hobby. The combination with Mr Kuge's quiet expertise provided an atmosphere where we felt free to relax and be creative. We loved every minute of our class and can't wait to see what our tea cups look like after their 2 weeks drying out period.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/02/11
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Excellent workshop and experience!

Reviewed by: Tina , 2024/01/25

Kuge Craft provided a detail direction to their workshop, about 8 mins walk from their workshop. It is a cosy place with plenty of artworks and books references.

The experience is amazing. We were greeted by a lovely snack (delicious homemade cake, crackers and earl grey) with English notes and material list for kintsugi. They break it down step by step making it very easy to follow. Along the way, they would also provide extra information before we even know what questions to ask.

They are such a lovely couple, we hope to get to join their workshop again when we are in Tokyo!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2024/01/08
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Amazing and informative Kintsugi workshop!

Reviewed by: Trent, 2024/01/25

I had a great time at the Kintsugi workshop! The Kuge's were very knowledgeable on the craft and were able to explain in English the history and techniques

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2024/01/22
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Intimate experience with artists with 40 years of experience!

Reviewed by: J. Conroy, 2024/01/17

The Kuges are kind, funny, and generous teachers. Good English and fulfilling experience! Bought material to practice kintsugi at home! One of our best memories from Tokyo!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2024/01/07
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Kind people and well run kintsugi

Reviewed by: Nick, 2023/12/28

Really enjoyed our experience doing Kintsugi in Tokyo, would recommend to anyone who is interested in this craft. They helped also with information on where to buy products to do craft at home.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/12/27
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Kintsugi Workshop

Reviewed by: Freeda, 2023/12/02

It was an amazing experience with the couple. They are very nice and they can speak english well enough. We had a very good time with them.

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Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/11/11
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Fantastic

Reviewed by: Erica, 2023/12/02

I had a wonderful time at the one-day intro kintsugi class. In the class, we learned the basics of repairing a chip in a teacup and decorating it with gold lacquer and powder.

The instructors Yoshiko-sensei and Yoshiichiro-sensei are amazingly talented and kind. I brought in a broken plate that I wanted to repair, I thought it would be easy to fix because it had broken cleanly, but it was a lot more complex than I had imagined. Yoshiichiro-sensei and Yoshiko-sensei reassembled it for me, which involved the construction of some impromptu armature to prop up the pieces correctly since the broken pieces do not lie flat, as well as some intricate filing work. I got to paint the lacquer and metallic powder.

The workshop is stacked high with kintsugi treasures, and they also have a pottery studio next door.

They packed up my teacup and my plate really carefully for me to take home. After two weeks of curing, I can wash off the extra powder and see the results. I can't wait!!

If you've seen documentaries or read about about kintsugi or lacquerware, you may know that lacquer from lacquer trees (urushi) can cause a severe reaction like poison ivy, and that it requires really precisely-controlled humidity conditions to cure properly. In this class, we used lacquer from cashew trees, which is not irritating and can cure in regular room-temperature conditions, and once it's cured, it seals the cracks just as effectively and food-safely as lacquer tree urushi.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/11/18
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Fabulous experience

Reviewed by: Sarah, 2023/11/20

Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko were both wonderful hosts. We had a lovely tea and delicious Japanese snacks first and conversed with other attendees. The hosts spoke good English and one of the other students did as well which made the experience very enjoyable. I was able to choose from about 5 or 6 ancient tea cups and Yoshiko gave most of the instruction on how to mend and decorate. She had lots of examples in the shop which helped with ideas.

Perhaps the best thing about this experience was the wonderful energy exuded by the host. Just incredibly warm and gracious people.

Highly recommend!!

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/10/28
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Very Memorable Experience

Reviewed by: Desiree , 2023/11/19

My husband and I had such a lovely time during this Kintsugi Workshop. It was our first time in Japan and Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko made us feel so welcome. They are true masters at this craft and it was an honor to learn from them. I am grateful for the knowledge and time they shared with us. It was an experience we will always treasure. The studio was very easy to find and comfortable to be in. The instructions they provide are very thorough and they offer assistance throughout. We highly recommend this!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/10/29
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Simply The Best

Reviewed by: Paul, 2023/11/11

Our group had such a fun time learning the craft of kintsugi. Our teachers were so talented and generously kind. This workshop was one of the best things we did in Tokyo. After you complete your repair, there are opportunities to procure kintsugi pieces the teachers have mended over the years, which we were grateful for.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/10/21
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A rare opportunity

Reviewed by: Jenkins and friends, 2023/11/05

We really enjoyed ourselves. Our hosts Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro made us very welcome and our tea cups we mended will take pride of place in our homes. We will recommend this workshop to everyone we know who is going to Japan.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/11/04
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The best kintsugi experience!

Reviewed by: Maren & Nathan, 2023/10/21

We LOVED this class - Yoshii and her husband were incredibly hospitable and patient in teaching us the history and basics of kintsugi. They had tea and snacks for us prepared when we arrived and answered all of our (many) questions as the afternoon went on. It was one of our top experiences in Japan and something we will definitely do again when we are back!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/10/09
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Wonderful

Reviewed by: Mark, 2023/10/16

What a wonderful way to spend a half-day in Tokyo.
Meeting Yoshiko-san and Yoshiichiro-san was a real pleasure. On a wet and rainy day it was doubly appreciated to be welcomed with a hot cup of tea and a slice of delicious homemade cake.
The Kintsugi course was very hands-on and very informative. I left feeling that I had all the information necessary to do some beautiful repairs at home.
I would easily recommend this course to anyone. It is a very relaxing and educational way to spend a few hours.
Thank you Yoshiko-san and Yoshiichiro-san.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/10/09
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A look at an ancient art

Reviewed by: Pamela Levene, 2023/10/09

Our host and hostess were a delightful couple: one the artisan, one his lovely wife who communicated with us.

I had read quite a lot about kintsugi but there is always something new to learn!

I was made to feel very welcome, and it was a fascinating experience.

I would highly recommend this class.


  • We were taught how to fill a chip or crack, but also added gold decoration to our chosen item.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/10/07
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20/10 would recommend!

Reviewed by: Joshua, 2023/09/17

The directions to the workshop are clear. Yoshiichiro-san and Yoshiro-san are the sweetest couple ever. I thoroughly enjoyed the step-by-step one day workshop. It was informative, easy to follow and it captured the essence of the concept and art of Kintsugi.

I think that Kintsugi really is a beautiful way of thinking and how we can live by embracing imperfections.

I would say though, that the class also depends on the group you attend with. I had really fun workshop mates, which made it even more enjoyable.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/09/16
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very pleasant experience

Reviewed by: Klee, 2023/09/14

a very pleasant experience, although it is an introductory course, but the explanation is very clear and easy to understand. both tutors are nice and friendly. highly recommend for others who love Japanese traditional culture.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/08/19
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Wonderful evening repairing a Meiji era cup!

Reviewed by: Konrad, 2023/09/08

I had a great time – Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro are good teachers and hosts!
They helped me repair a chipped cup from the very first to the last steps.
They also taught me about the cup I repaired, the tools and materials I used, and they provided tea and desserts, too!
I'm waiting for the gold lacquer to settle now, but I can't wait to use the cup!

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/08/27
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Incredible Experience! Heart warming, fun, and authentic!

Reviewed by: Cilla, 2023/09/07

Upon arrival at KUGE crafts we were met by both Yoshiko Kuge and her husband, who were both extremely kind and welcoming. We sat at a shared table and was given a sweet cake, crackers and endless cups of sweet lemon tea. Yoshiko gave us a brief history of Kintsugi and the types of repairs from chips to replacing missing pieces. She shared her experience in how long she has been doing this for and referenced to us many examples of works done within the space. We then got to pick our own antique Japanese cups that were chipped and got to work being guided and directed by Yoshiko and her husband. Both let us do our work and did not simply do it for us, they also took many photos with us, gave us detailed instructions on how to do each step (with print out info in English) and asked us questions about our lives and transformed the experience into something not only creative, but meditative and peaceful. Our finished products were lovingly wrapped and secured in special travel protective containers and we left with our information packs, extra snacks, and instructions on where to buy materials needed for Kintsugi. A beautiful time - very grateful to have spent the time with two people with so much history and experience with this art!
If you are wanting to experience true Japanese culture and bring home something personalised and meaningful, this is your chance.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/09/02
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Wonderful Experience!

Reviewed by: Jon, 2023/09/04

We had a fantastic time with Yoshiko Kuge. She taught us kintsuge while contextualizing its usage as a modern art form and meditative practice. We have beautiful souvenirs and lovely memories thanks to her kindness and generosity.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/08/30
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Two architects and a college student walk into a kintsugi shop…

Reviewed by: Colin Alley, 2023/09/03

Our family of three thoroughly enjoyed our two plus hours at Kuge Crafts, working with Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro, and opening ourselves up to the world of Wabi-Sabi - embracing the beauty in imperfection. We highly recommend this experience, and look forward to bringing the skills learned to repairs at home!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2023/09/02
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Kintsugi workshop AMAZING

Reviewed by: Puja Vohra, 2023/08/27

Our hosts were wonderful teachers and it was a very special experience. HIGHLY recommend.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/08/26
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Wonderful experience

Reviewed by: Liz, 2023/08/23

This is a lovely way to spend half a day in Tokyo. We were a small group of three and two of us chose beautiful small Edo period bowls to work (supplied in the workshop) and one person in the group brought her own bowl to repair. The tutors are very kind and welcoming and provided support and encouragement in English. They are expert potters and extremely skilled at Kintsugi and it was a delight to spend the time with them. The session was well structured and organised and I learned a lot, and there was sufficient time to complete my kintsugi at a leisurely pace. I was so pleased with my beautiful bowl which was expertly packed up at the end of the session by the tutors to go into my case safely on the way home. Allow 20/25 mins to walk to the workshop from the nearest metro station or take a taxi.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/07/23
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Una experiencia única

Reviewed by: Mónica, 2023/08/22

Asistí a este taller con una amiga y las dos salimos encantadas. Cuando llegamos, los dueños del taller nos recibieron con una sonrisa y nos ayudaron a sentirnos cómodas. Fue muy agradable charlar con ellos a lo largo del proceso y nos sacaron fotos para que tengamos un buen recuerdo. Nos ayudaron a adentrarnos en el fascinante mundo del kintsugi y nos aconsejaron qué materiales comprar para poder continuar practicando por nuestra cuenta en el futuro. Ojalá pueda vivir algún día en Japón para asistir a este taller con regularidad. Los dulces y el té estaban deliciosos. Muchas gracias por darnos la oportunidad de llevarnos a casa una taza reparada con nuestras propias manos. La conservaré con cariño.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/08/16
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Wonderful!

Reviewed by: Chloe, 2023/08/15

My husband and I wanted to do a more hands-on activity during our trip to Tokyo amongst sightseeing and the other food/drink-focused experiences. It was the perfect addition to our itinerary!

Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. We were greeted with a beautifully presented and delicious snack complete with refreshing homemade lemon tea which warmed our introduction and set the tone for the quality experience to come.

The entire workshop was informative and fun from start to finish. We were guided through each step in detail and were provided with interesting facts about the craft and the materials we were working with along the way.

We were gifted with instructions to take home for future reference and supplemented with a list of the tools used in the workshop so that we could continue to practice at home.

We originally sent an email to make our booking and the reply was prompt and personable. We were redirected to the booking page on Veltra and the process was easy and simple.

The directions to Kuge Crafts provided with the booking confirmation were clear and helpful.

We cannot underline the kindness and sincerity of the hosts enough. This was a highlight of our time in Tokyo and will remain one of our fondest memories. Thank you, Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/08/13
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Mesmerizing experience

Reviewed by: Vojta, 2023/07/27

We had a great time while doing our cups. Very friendly environment with a lot of knowlwdge and fun during the workshop. Highly recommended for everyone!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/07/01
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Amazing one-day kintsugi experience

Reviewed by: Melissa, 2023/07/26

I have been intrigued by kintsugi philosophy in the last few years and was thrilled to find this one-day workshop that enabled me to get some hands-on experience with the process. Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko were so kind and welcoming, making sure I understood each piece of the process and answering questions patiently and thoughtfully. Yoshiko took photos throughout the workshop and emailed them to me later (so grateful as I attended as a solo traveler), and Yoshiichiro wrote out my name in kanji so I could sign my cup in Japanese -- so cool! They even made sure I knew where I could purchase my own kintsugi materials here in Tokyo in case I wanted to try it at home on my own. At the end of the workshop, they packaged up my cup to ensure it will safely make the journey back home in my suitcase. I cannot say enough good things about this experience and its incredible facilitators-- this afternoon will remain of my most treasured memories from my time in Japan.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/07/20
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Amazing experience!

Reviewed by: Jessica , 2023/07/16

This was a wonderful hands-on experience in which you learn from two masters the craft of mending broken things. You are served tea and snacks to begin, then you get to choose an antique item to repair. You are guided step by step through the process and you end up with a functional and beautiful piece of your own to take home. highly recommend even if you don't think of yourself as crafty.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/07/15
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A therapeutic and interesting way to learn about Japanese culture

Reviewed by: Ryan , 2023/07/14

While the shop is a little out of the way (about a 15 minute walk from the nearest train station), it's 100% worth it. The people working and hosting you treat you like family and teach you about Kintsugi in an easy to understand way. And yes at least one of them knows English so that's not an issue. The shop is small but homey and the activity itself is very calming. Coming from someone who is not only bad at art but actively dislikes it, I plan to do this again when I come back to Japan. It will take anywhere from 2-3 hours total so keep that in mind. If you are on the fence about this, please do it. The people are lovely and you get to create and keep a unique souvenir all while learning a little bit about the Japanese culture, well worth it.

Rating:
Attended as:Solo Travelers
Activity Date:2023/07/13
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