Making chopsticks with a traditional Japanese hand plane is a small, hands-on way to meet Japan’s craft culture. At this 60-minute workshop in Omotesando, you choose wood, shape it, and take home the pair you make.
I like two things here: staff support makes the work approachable for beginners, and your finished chopsticks are a useful souvenir rather than something that sits on a shelf. The choice of wood, including optional premium varieties, also gives you a chance to make the object feel personal.
The main caution is the price. The advertised starting figure does not cover every possible extra, and one participant’s four-person visit cost more than ¥20,000 after add-on charges. Check exactly what your booking includes before you start.
- What to know before you book
- A craft workshop in Omotesando, not Ginza
- Choosing wood and working with a kanna
- What your 60 minutes look like
- A practical souvenir with a personal touch
- What the price does and does not cover
- Who will enjoy the workshop most
- Booking and timing details
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Where is the chopstick workshop?
- Is the workshop in Ginza?
- How long does the workshop last?
- What is included in the workshop?
- Are wood and engraving included?
- What age can take part?
- Do I need woodworking experience?
- What should I wear?
- What happens if I arrive late?
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What to know before you book
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9 / 9- Use a Japanese hand plane: Shape and finish your chopsticks with a traditional kanna, with staff guidance.
- Pick your wood: Basic wood starts at ¥660. Premium wood is available for an additional charge, and each piece has its own grain and color.
- Plan for about an hour: The workshop lasts 60 minutes. Extra time costs ¥550 per 15 minutes.
- Make a personal keepsake: Laser engraving is an optional paid extra and may take more time.
- Bring the family, with age rules in mind: Children must be at least 5. Those under 10 need an accompanying adult, and children aged 12 or older pay the adult rate.
- Find it in Omotesando, not Ginza: The workshop is at 4-2-17 Jingumae, about a three-minute walk from Omotesando Station’s A2 exit.
👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo
A craft workshop in Omotesando, not Ginza
The name Ginza Natsuno can send you toward the wrong part of Tokyo. This workshop takes place at the Aoyama R Natsuno Building, at 4-2-17 Jingumae in Shibuya-ku. It is about three minutes on foot from Omotesando Station’s A2 exit, close to the area’s shops and sightseeing.
That location makes the activity easy to fit into a day around Omotesando. You can pair it with shopping or a walk nearby, but allow enough time to arrive promptly. The workshop runs for an hour, and late arrivals may have less time to work, depending on the reservation schedule.
The address is worth saving exactly as written: 東京都渋谷区神宮前4-2-17. The activity is not a Ginza-district stop, despite the business name.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tokyo.
Choosing wood and working with a kanna
The heart of the session is shaping chopsticks with a traditional Japanese hand plane, or kanna. You work with wood directly, feeling the resistance of the tool and the change in the surface as you shape it. That physical process is what gives this short workshop more substance than simply selecting a souvenir from a shop.
You can choose from a range of Japanese woods. Basic wood begins at ¥660, while premium options cost extra. The grain and color vary naturally from piece to piece, so your finished pair will have its own character. If you have a particular shade or look in mind, remember that natural wood is not a uniform, factory-made material.
Staff guide you through the work, which is useful if you have never handled woodworking tools. You do not need prior experience, and the activity is described as suitable for beginners. The available information does not specify a fixed step-by-step demonstration, so expect support as you work rather than a formal lesson with a named instructor.
The workshop includes the use of traditional tools and staff assistance. You make and take home your own chopsticks, which gives the activity a clear result. The pleasure is in the process as much as the object: the scent of wood, the feel of the plane, and the small decisions that turn a piece of timber into something you can use.
What your 60 minutes look like
The session is listed as a 60-minute chopstick-making workshop. You select wood, shape and finish it with the traditional plane, and receive help from staff as you go. The description does not provide a timed schedule for each stage, so leave room for the work to move at its own pace.
Finishing deserves special attention when you plan your budget. One participant reported extra charges for additional sanding and for going over the time limit. That does not tell us that every session requires paid sanding, but it does make one point clear: ask which finishing steps are included before beginning.
The first hour is included in the base rate. Each additional 15 minutes costs ¥550. Arriving on time matters, both to protect your full working period and to avoid paying for an extension if you need longer.
Laser engraving is another optional way to personalize the chopsticks, such as with a name. It is not included in the workshop price, and it may add time depending on workshop conditions. If you want engraving, ask about its cost and likely timing before you start carving.
A practical souvenir with a personal touch
A pair of chopsticks is light, useful, and easy to bring home. Unlike a decorative item that may end up packed away, this one has a role at the table. Making it yourself also gives the souvenir a story: you chose the wood and shaped it with a traditional tool in Tokyo.
The activity can work well as a gift, especially if you are making something for a friend or marking the end of a stay in Japan. You can also add paid engraving for a more personal finish. Keep in mind that the experience is priced per person, while the cost of wood and upgrades can change the final bill.
If you are traveling as a group, confirm how many pairs are included in the price you are quoted. One participant found that the amount paid at the facility covered only two pairs, and that add-ons brought the total for four people to more than ¥20,000. The account does not explain every charge, but it is a useful warning to get the full cost in writing or at the point of sale.
What the price does and does not cover
The activity is advertised from $13.35, while the listed 60-minute package starts from $16.65. Treat these as starting prices, not a guarantee of your final cost. The base experience includes the workshop, use of tools, staff guidance, and handmade chopsticks, but wood and personalization can add to the bill.
The basic wood price starts at ¥660. Premium wood and name engraving are optional paid upgrades, and extra time is charged at ¥550 per 15 minutes. The participant account also mentions additional sanding charges and another fee whose reason was unclear. Since the exact charges can depend on what you choose and how long you work, ask for a full breakdown before agreeing to extras.
That makes this a better value for someone who wants the craft experience, not simply the cheapest possible pair of chopsticks. You are paying for a guided hour with traditional tools and a handmade object. If your priority is a low-cost souvenir, buying ready-made chopsticks may be less expensive. If you value making something yourself, the workshop has a stronger case.
Who will enjoy the workshop most
This is a good fit for beginners who want to try a Japanese craft without committing half a day. The short duration makes it easy to add to a Tokyo itinerary, and the staff guidance lowers the barrier for people who have never used a hand plane.
Families can consider it too. Participants must be at least 5 years old, and children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged 12 and over are charged the adult rate. Pricing for children aged 10 and 11 is not specified, so check that detail before booking.
Couples and solo visitors may also like the focused, practical nature of the activity. It is not a sightseeing tour with a guide explaining several parts of the city. Instead, it gives you an hour of making, a chance to handle a traditional tool, and a small object to take away.
Wear clothes you are comfortable working in. The guidance specifically recommends work-friendly clothing, a sensible precaution when you are shaping and sanding wood. The workshop’s relaxed, beginner-friendly approach should not be mistaken for a reason to rush: arrive on time, listen to the staff, and keep an eye on the clock.
Booking and timing details
The voucher is valid only on the date and time specified. Confirmation is expected within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. The experience has a 24-hour cancellation window for a full refund, based on the destination’s local time.
The provider is Japanticket inc. The activity has a 4 out of 5 rating from one listed rating, while the provider’s broader profile shows 4,662 reviews and a 91 percent good review rate. Those figures describe different scopes, so do not treat the provider-wide score as a precise measure of this single workshop.
Should you book it?
Book this if you want to do something with your hands in Tokyo and value a useful souvenir with a story behind it. The traditional plane, wood choice, and staff support make the hour appealing for beginners, families with eligible children, couples, and solo visitors.
Pause if you are watching every yen or have a tight schedule. The advertised price is only a starting point, and upgrades, finishing, and extra time can raise the cost. Before work begins, confirm how many pairs are included, what the wood costs, whether sanding is part of the session, and what engraving or overtime will add. With those details clear, you can enjoy the craft without a surprise at the till.
Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Craft Experience
“A big thank you to the friends who helped us. Everything was wonderful; it made for a perfect memento for our friends who were leaving Japan. The o…”
FAQ
Where is the chopstick workshop?
It is at the Aoyama R Natsuno Building, 4-2-17 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. It is about three minutes on foot from Omotesando Station’s A2 exit.
Is the workshop in Ginza?
No. The experience is called Ginza Natsuno, but the workshop address is in Jingumae, near Omotesando.
How long does the workshop last?
The included session lasts 60 minutes. Additional time costs ¥550 for each 15-minute period.
What is included in the workshop?
The price includes a 60-minute workshop, use of traditional Japanese woodworking tools, staff guidance, and handmade chopsticks to take home.
Are wood and engraving included?
No. Basic wood starts at ¥660, and premium wood and personalized laser engraving are optional paid extras.
What age can take part?
Participants must be at least 5 years old. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult, and children aged 12 or older pay the adult rate.
Do I need woodworking experience?
No prior experience is required. The workshop is suitable for beginners, and staff provide guidance and support.
What should I wear?
Wear clothing you are comfortable working in.
What happens if I arrive late?
Late arrivals may have a shortened workshop, depending on reservation conditions. It is best to arrive on time so you have the full hour.
