Learning Zen of Japanese Calligraphy in kimono near Osaka Castle

Overview

Available languages

Thai

Chinese

Japanese

English

Italian

Spanish

1 hour

Mobile ticket

What makes this class special;

➤ Our experienced shodo teacher will teach you step by step, so don't worry if you've never tried it before! (don't panic!...a part of shodo ritual is practicing one's patience too )

➤ You'll be accompanied by a English-Japanese or Chinese-Japanese translator, so you can fully understand the class and ask questions if there is any.

➤ Participate with your child to share the experience and create memories together

➤ Surprise

The teacher will write the foreign names of the participants on wooden tags using the kanji characters they have chosen.

➤ Photo Shoot

Capture your beautiful kimono outfit and artwork in a photo. You will be photographed dressed as a beautiful Yamato Nadeshiko or a brave samurai.

➤ Souvenir from the teacher

A calligraphy master will carefully write the kanji character that you attempted today on the surface of the bag, and you will receive a Samurai Honor original bag as a gift.

Please take your work home with you in this bag.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Taste matcha, a traditional Japanese popular beverage. Quench your thirst with iced green matcha tea during the summer months.

All Fees and Taxes

Shodo Tools

Patience

English Interpreter Assistant

Lessons from introductory to professional

Pick-up and drop-off service at hotels and designated locations

Movie Shooting *Paid option

Wagami（Collected hair + Kanzashi） *Paid option

What To Expect

Activity, 0 ➤ Preparation Before picking up a brush, you will change into traditional Japanese clothing such as a kimono. Activity, 1 ➤ Mindset and tools You will gain a deeper understanding of the differences between calligraphy as a form of decorative writing that exists overseas and Japanese Shodo. Activity, 2 ➤ Learn and practice how to hold the brush and use the tools ➤Kanji Choose your favorite Japanese kanji to challenge yourself. Kanji, which has been selected as "the most difficult language to learn," has various meanings for each character. Activity 3 ➤Learn and practice techniques Brush movement—brush technique The most basic brush movements: "tome," "hane," and "harai" Activity 4 ➤ Kanji practice You will learn the stroke order of the kanji you selected earlier. Activity 5 ➤ Surprise The teacher will write the foreign names of the participants on wooden tags using the kanji characters they have chosen. Activity 6 ➤ Final Draft Write a final draft while keeping in mind what you have learned so far. Activity 7 Photo Shoot Capture your beautiful kimono outfit and artwork in a photo. ➤ Souvenir from the teacher

Options

Kimono experience Calligraphy

Duration: 1 hour
Interpreter needed for Spanish: Required➤ As this applies to specific staff, those interested should inquire about the schedule before making a reservation.

Welcome to the Wagami bijin

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes: Shodo 60 min Dressing and hair setting time: 30 min.
Interpreter needed for Spanish: Required➤ As this applies to specific staff, those interested should inquire about the schedule before making a reservation.
Be like a Yamato Nadeshiko.: Collected hair + Kanzashi Kanzashi are hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese hairstyles.

Calligraphy&Tea ceremony

+Tea ceremony: Zen is alive and well in traditional Japanese culture, and one can expect many changes by studying tea ceremony & calligraphy
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes: Tea ceremony (time required) 30-40 minutes Calligraphy (time required) 30-40 minutes Time remaining Photography
Matcha and Wagashi: Green tea and Traditional Japanese sweets
Interpreter needed for Spanish: Required➤ As this applies to specific staff, those interested should inquire about the schedule before making a reservation.

Zen in Calligraphy kakejiku

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes: A kakejiku is a traditional Japanese decorative item in which calligraphy or paintings are mounted on paper or cloth, attache
Interpreter needed for Spanish: Required➤ As this applies to specific staff, those interested should inquire about the schedule before making a reservation.
Souvenir for your parents.: How about a room in your home or a uniquely Japanese". If the customer wishes, calligraphy master can write on the kakejiku

Reviews

4.65

51 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

To do without hesitation
Fanny G,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience for this last day in Osaka! My daughter (9 years) and I loved the calligraphy activity. Everything was perfect, the welcome, the people present were very pleasant and smiling. The photographer is very professional and took great photos. I am impressed by the Price quality ratio of this activity.
The best way to embrace Japanese culture
S8887YCfrancescac,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Highly recommend for anyone travelling in osaka who wants to learn and experience Japanese culture! great experience all around, no notes :)
Calligraphy: Learning patience
adriennebH1589FS,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was an interesting and challenging experience. It required patience, calm and the willingness to learn quickly, make mistakes and above all, PRACTISE! I was impressed with the preparations and the carefully managed sequence of this ‘learning’. This would take a lifetime, but for this taste of calligraphy it was excellent. My only problem was that the final section of the directions was extremely vague; this needs a simple addition like ‘… then cross the street and walk through the railway underpass, then turn left.’ Otherwise useful map. Thanks.
Great experience
paulinesC6141FE,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We booked the kimono and calligraphy activity, it was an amazing experience, the staff was very patient and helpful. Would definitely recommend!
Best Time in Japan
439meikag,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
During my two weeks in Japan, this was my favorite activity. Learning Japanese calligraphy was so calming and peaceful. The teacher was calm, patient, and reassuring. We were also dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos. It was our first time wearing them and I just enjoyed it so much. I didn't want to take it off. I just can't wait to go back to the US and learn more Japanese calligraphy. It was amazing.
Trip Highlight
triciac525,
Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience! We got there a little early (they will send you an email with the exact location on a map to easily find it - it was very close to the subway) and I was able to pick out which kimono I wanted to wear. After we were dressed, she gave us some background knowledge of writing in Japanese and we each picked out a word we wanted to write from a book (I picked "journey" and my husband picked "cherry blossoms"). She taught us how to write it step by and step and we practiced writing (paining) it. She taught us how to sign our names and then we practiced that. At the end, we were given a cardboard backed paper for our final product (painting the word and signing our name to our work). We were able to keep her step by step instructions so I can remember how to do it at home (they provided a bag to put everything in). The entire time there was calming Japanese music playing in background and she took pictures of us while we worked and emailed them to us after. It was such an amazing cultural experience and now I have great souvenirs of my trip!
was not picked up, could not attend
Engin O,
Jun 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
Was not picked up at the said place, no one received messages via WhatsApp and did not get my money back. Stupid already
SCAM: doesnt exist
Bhoomi B,
Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
DO NOT BOOK THIS!!! SCAM...we got stranded outside a shuttered abandoned area by train tracks with another family we didnt know that showed up fof same experience. calling viator for refund
Do not book, save your time and money
andreacC8437JA,
Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Showed up with my son at night in the rain and the place was closed with no communication. We called, texted, emailed - no response. We paid over 5000 yen for transportation for nothing. Only time we might have been able to take a calligraphy class in Japan and now it will never happen. More disappointed for my son than myself - do not book!
Absolutely loved learning how to make Japanese Kanji
P5163EQheatherd,
Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a great experience! Master was patient and funny! We loved learning the strokes behind the characters. So cool to write my name in Kanji. Highly recommend!