Tokyo Kintsugi Workshop: Simple Gold Repair Class near Shin Koenji
Overall Rating
5.00
A look at an ancient art
Reviewed by: Pamela Levene, 2023/10/09Our 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.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/10/07 |
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20/10 would recommend!
Reviewed by: Joshua, 2023/09/17The 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.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/09/16 |
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very pleasant experience
Reviewed by: Klee, 2023/09/14a 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.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/19 |
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Wonderful evening repairing a Meiji era cup!
Reviewed by: Konrad, 2023/09/08I 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!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/27 |
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Incredible Experience! Heart warming, fun, and authentic!
Reviewed by: Cilla, 2023/09/07Upon 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.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/09/02 |
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Wonderful Experience!
Reviewed by: Jon, 2023/09/04We 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.
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| 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, 2023/09/03Our 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!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/09/02 |
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Kintsugi workshop AMAZING
Reviewed by: Puja Vohra, 2023/08/27Our hosts were wonderful teachers and it was a very special experience. HIGHLY recommend.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/26 |
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Wonderful experience
Reviewed by: Liz, 2023/08/23This 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.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/23 |
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Una experiencia única
Reviewed by: Mónica, 2023/08/22Asistí 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.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/16 |
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Wonderful!
Reviewed by: Chloe, 2023/08/15My 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!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/08/13 |
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Mesmerizing experience
Reviewed by: Vojta, 2023/07/27We 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!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/01 |
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Amazing one-day kintsugi experience
Reviewed by: Melissa, 2023/07/26I 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.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/20 |
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Amazing experience!
Reviewed by: Jessica , 2023/07/16This 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.
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| 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 , 2023/07/14While 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.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/07/13 |
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Excellent Experience!!
Reviewed by: Rhianna, 2023/06/29We really loved our experience learning Kintsugi here. We learned a lot, enjoyed the process, and will definitely keep practicing Kintsugi when we get home! The hosts were absolutely lovely people, and I highly recommend this course. Thank you
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2023/06/28 |
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An incredible and rare Kintsugi experience!
Reviewed by: Megan, 2023/06/13Kuge Crafts is a gorgeous studio, with incredibly friendly and knowledgeable owners. You learn the whole process from start to finish here, and walk away with a completed project. I have never seen another experience like it, and I'm so glad I got to experience this craft firsthand!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/06/11 |
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It’s much more than just Kintsugi.
Reviewed by: Michelle, 2023/05/10Wow. There is so much to say about this experience. First, if you take the meaning and the process to heart, it is a very powerful experience. Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko are kind, patient, attentive, and thoughtful teachers, and extremely cool people in general. They give you the guidance, and you have your process. Being with others in the intimate space was also really nice. This was beautiful and healing for me. They will teach you Kintsugi but are also ushers and stewards of the incredible potential the process holds for each person. I think it could be really fun if you just want to learn the craft and eat a yummy piece of cake, but there is a LOT more there if you allow it. Amazing.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/05/08 |
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A wonderful afternoon
Reviewed by: Thomas, 2023/04/26An incredibly calming and enlightening activity! Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro are such kind and informative teachers who offer history and culture lessons whilst teaching the ancient art of kintsugi. The entire session was built around the interests of the participants and so much information was given for us to continue the craft at home. Yoshika also kindly gave a mini tour of the workshop and showed ceramics which had been featured on an international TV documentary. I will 100% return. Thank you, Kuge Crafts!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2023/04/05 |
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Unbelievably amazing experience!
Reviewed by: Riccardo, 2023/01/29Really recommended experience for anyone looking to take a deep breath in the traditional Japanese arts! Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro are very kind and welcoming, and work hard to make you feel comfortable. They're also incredibly talented at kintsugi, and are excellent at showing beginners how to get started.
The tea and sweets make you feel like at your (japanese) home!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2023/01/26 |
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Great fun
Reviewed by: Chris, 2022/12/22Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro were great hosts! I had a lot of fun. They taught us the basics of kintsugi and showed us what materials we needed if we wanted to do it on our own. They are super knowledgeable about ceramics and pottery of all kinds as well and are eager to answer any questions you have. I cant wait to get home and break my own cups and bowls.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2022/12/21 |
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An unforgettable experience
Reviewed by: Robin Curran, 2022/08/07Do not miss this amazing experience. Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko take you on a memorable journey into an ancient art form and offer a glimpse into the Japanese culture that most tourists miss entirely. I had seen an article on Kintsugi long ago and the whole philosophy behind it fascinated me so I sought this out when I came to Japan to visit my son. Choosing the right person to instruct you is critical, and this lovely couple could not have been more welcoming. I was greeted with smiles, delicious tea and homemade Japanese sweets and felt right at home. Their method of instruction, with a nice balance between verbal and written instruction in English and hands on demonstration was perfect. And I was given the piece of pottery I repaired, lovingly packaged for the trip home. I am confident I could not have chosen a better option for this activity elsewhere. I plan to continue my Kintsugi learning journey; In fact, I went out the next day and purchased the supplies with the help of Yoshiko and I am excited to begin my first project after arriving home.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2022/08/06 |
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Lovely kintsugi experience with skilled, welcoming hosts
Reviewed by: Yen, 2022/07/11I highly recommend this kintsugi experience to anyone looking to try their hand at this traditional Japanese art! The hosts are kind and welcoming, and work hard to make you feel comfortable. They're also incredible talented at kintsugi, and are excellent at showing beginners how to get started. Despite that, they know an important part of the experience is doing it yourself, and they're quick to pass over the tools and encourage you to give it a try, while remaining on hand to provide any needed help.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2022/07/10 |
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Such a great experience!
Reviewed by: Bonnie Humphrey, 2022/05/27I took my 16 year old and we had such a great time. Yoshiko and Yoshiichiro welcomed us with such warmth I felt like we were walking into their home. They taught us clearly and easily how to do the kintsugi and really made it interesting. They explained about the mindset behind it. Yoshiko even kindly worked on broken mask that I brought, helping me fix it! They were so eager and excited to introduce us to the world of kintsugi!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2022/05/26 |
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Authentic Japanese craft experience
Reviewed by: MMm, 2020/03/16The hosts were so welcoming and English was no problem. I learnt their craft from true artists who genuinely want to share this skill with others. The studio was great, the snack delicious and the whole experience truly memorable. I left with my own piece of Kintsugi and Japan’s culture.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2020/03/14 |
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Great workshop with lovely instructors
Reviewed by: SBruisten, 2020/03/16This workshop was amazing! One of my best experiences while in Japan.
You only get to learn the basics and repair one small cup, but the instructors let you know what to buy in order to do more kintsugi in the future. You also get shown many examples which are very inspiring. I really feel like fixing up more stuff in the future, which will be easy since we received a set of instructions to follow at home as well!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2020/03/09 |
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Kintsugi Class Tokyo
Reviewed by: Martha J, 2020/03/08This class was absolutely terrific! The teachers are talented artists who also speak great English! The class was very thorough and they have considered every aspect of it- full demonstration, written instructions, and a bilingual shopping list so students can purchase their own materials. The tea and pastry at the beginning of class was a nice touch too. Can’t recommend this experience ENOUGH! The traditional teacup I chose to repair is from the late Edo period (also explained in class), and is a wonderful momento from my trip. Thank you so much!!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2020/03/06 |
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Kintsugi Experience on Honeymoon
Reviewed by: Ken and Jun, 2020/03/07My wife and I had a great time learning Kintsugi here on our honeymoon. Staff and owner were very friendly, welcoming and informative. They teach really well and are very helpful if you have questions. Worth our time and would come back again!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2020/02/15 |
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Tokyo Kintsugi Workshop
Reviewed by: Katherine , 2020/03/03This was a well planned and facilitated experience by two delightful artisans. The kintsugi art is meditative and allows creativity and self expression. I look at “ broken” things differently now, and am eager to try the technique on my own with the materials I was able to purchase with the advice of the artisans. They teach the technique with patience and care that participants understand the art and culture of Japan more deeply. It was a peak experience for me, both unusual and heart warming.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2020/02/09 |
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