Private Tour
Japanese Sweets Making and Great Buddha in Kamakura
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Would you like to make authentic Japanese sweets?
In just 3 hours, you can try making traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) and visit the famous Great Buddha.
You can make seasonal Japanese sweets at a world-famous shop.
The designs change every month — cherry blossoms, fireworks, Christmas, and more.
Friendly staff will teach you how to make them step by step, and I’ll help by translating everything into English.
After you finish, you can enjoy your handmade sweets with matcha or take them home with you.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is one of Japan’s most iconic statues.
I’ll share the mysteries behind the Great Buddha,and you can even step inside his massive body!
During the tour, we’ll also stop by some souvenir and local food spots.You can also enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean.
Join me for an exciting, easy-to-follow tour filled with local secrets!
Make you enjoy and share unforgettable moments!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Kamakura
In the wagashi-making experience, you’ll make three seasonal sweets, each with a unique shape reflecting the time of year. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through the process and share interesting details about the history of wagashi. You can enjoy the sweets on the spot or take them home as souvenirs. (If you’d like, you can also enjoy a cup of matcha for an additional 550 yen.)
Kamakura Kaihin Park Sakanoshita Chiku
You can see great view of the ocean. It is a popular spot among the local people.
What‘s Included
Traditional sweets making lesson
Local guide (English-speaking guide)
Entrances fee to Kotoku-in
Hotel pick up and drop-off
Personal expenses
Options
Sweets Making
Duration: 3 hours
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Dive to Kamakura
Fuminori S,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I only knew about the Great Buddha when it came to sightseeing in Kamakura, but by joining this tour, I was able to learn about Japanese culture through making Japanese sweets, learn about the history of Kamakura and the Great Buddha, and find out about recommended souvenirs. Our guide, Hiro, was very kind and funny, and I especially have fond memories of the lively haiku competition held at the Great Buddha temple. If you visit Japan, you'll be missing out if you don't join this tour.
A Memorable Kamakura Tour with History, Culture, and a Fun Wagashi Experience
Emily B,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was perfect for our first visit to Kamakura. Hiro was incredibly kind and attentive! The guide made everything easy to understand and helped us feel comfortable throughout the tour. We learned a lot about Kamakura’s history, temples, and local life, and we especially enjoyed the traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) experience, which was both fun and memorable. We had a great time with Hiro, and this tour was truly a highlight of our trip to Japan.
Our guide, Hiro warmly...
Yuki O,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Hiro warmly welcomed us at Hase station, Kamakura. Firstly we could learn basic information and background about Kamakura. Toward the Japanese sweets making place, strolling through local paths and seeing residences and cafes was exciting. I also could see shining ocean from route 134! It was first time to make Nerikiri and actually challenging for me but it thrilled my creativity and satisfied with after done. The combination of having Matcha with freshly made Nerikiri Orange exceeded my expectation. After that, I could get perfect souvenir; Japanese fusion bagels! Thank you for everything, Hiro!
Making Nerikiri was...
Yuki O,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Making Nerikiri was totally first time and really difficult for me but fun. And it tastes really good! I wanna do this again!
A Great Experience! :)
Nicole A,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hiro was a great guide for this wagashi making experience and the great Buddha of Kamakura! The wagashi making was so fun and informative. We joined a class with locals and Hiro translated the teacher's instructions for us. Everyone was incredibly kind and helpful and we ended the class by enjoying one of the wagashi we made with a cup of matcha! We also got to see some of the other beautiful, seasonal wagashi designs. After that we made our way to the great Buddha statue, making a few stops at shops recommended by Hiro. The bronze Buddha was amazing to see especially with a guide to give us additional history. Hiro took pictures for us along the way and recommended a great sushi spot to us for lunch. Kamakura is a beautiful city and this experience was a really great one on our trip. We'll have to visit again to try one of the other seasonal wagashi designs! Thank you, Hiro!
What a nice tour
Felix C,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hiro is a very kind guide, he’ll explain the tour flow very carefully at the first and I believe this will very helpful for the first attendees. The Wagashi class was a very nice experience, you can make your own DIY dessert and can eat it with nice Japanese tea after your work is finished. At the end, the great Buddha of Kamakura is cool!
It was an amazing experience!
Anonymous,Jul 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an unforgettable experience—thank you so much! It was my first time making traditional Japanese sweets, and I really enjoyed it! The staff and our guide, Hiro, patiently showed us how to make them step by step. The sweets turned out so beautiful, and we got to eat them right away—they were delicious! I also learned a lot about Japanese confectionery culture and the meaning of the seasons in Japan. The Great Buddha in Kamakura was such a peaceful place. We learned about its history and samurai culture, which was really interesting. I was surprised that we could even go inside the Buddha! Seeing the ocean in Kamakura and stopping by some local shops was another fun part of the tour. Our guide was funny and explained things really clearly. I’d love to join again!
I had a great time.Thank you!
HIBIKI T,Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly want to recommend to my friends! The paths we walked during the tour were not crowded.Also, the sea was incredibly beautiful, and I was able to experience Kamakura’s hidden place.I would definitely recommend this to my friends!The staff and our guide, Hiro, were also very friendly!
The bast time in Kamakura
Kou H,Apr 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The best guide ever! It became a very enjoyable memory. The sweets we made reflected Japan’s seasons, which was exciting. Since the wagashi we make changes with the seasons, I would love to come again.
Joined a Wagashi-making tour
Yuga O,Mar 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I recently joined a wagashi-making experience tour, and it was such a fun and amazing experience that I just had to write a review! First of all, the instructor was very kind and gave detailed instructions, which made it easy for beginners to feel comfortable and enjoy the process. We also learned about the history and ingredients of wagashi, which deepened my appreciation for this traditional Japanese confectionery. The actual hands-on experience was incredibly enjoyable. What left the strongest impression on me was learning the delicate "bokashi" technique used in nerikiri. We layered two types of anko (sweet bean paste) with different colors and gently rubbed the top layer with our thumb to create a gradient that represents the ripeness of an apple. It was quite challenging, but thanks to the instructor's helpful tips, the final result turned out more beautiful than I expected. The finished wagashi not only looked beautiful but also tasted amazing. Afterward, we got to enjoy the wagashi we made with a cup of tea while chatting with other participants, which created a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We were even allowed to take home the wagashi we made as a souvenir, which was a lovely bonus. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in making wagashi or learning more about Japanese culture! Since the wagashi menu changes every month, I’m already looking forward to joining again when I have the chance.
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