Crafting Your Own Chopsticks in Shinjuku

The best part of this Shinjuku workshop is that you make something you can use, not just admire: you shape a pair of chopsticks by hand, then sand and oil them for a smooth finish. In about 45 minutes, you get a small, hands-on introduction to a Japanese craft.

I like two things in particular: you can choose among 10 types of wood, and instructors such as Momo, Jen, Hazel, and Suzana have been praised for clear, patient guidance. The standard wood is included and is described as easier to work than some upgrades, so you need not spend more to have a good experience.

One consideration: the lowest advertised price covers the standard workshop, while premium wood and Japanese engraving cost extra. The class is short, too, so think of it as a fun craft session and a personal souvenir, not an in-depth woodworking course.

At a glance: what you will make

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• Use a traditional kanna hand plane to shape your chopsticks, then refine the edges with sandpaper.
• Choose from 10 wood types. Standard wood is included; premium selections cost extra.
• Finish the pair with natural oil to protect the wood and bring out its grain.
• Add Japanese name engraving if you want a more personal souvenir. Engraving is optional and costs extra.
• Plan for about 45 minutes at the ZEN Chopsticks Workshop on the 10th floor of a Shinjuku building.
• Expect hands-on help in English. Instructors named by past participants include Momo, Jen, Hazel, Suzana, and Shervin.

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A small craft break in the middle of Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a place where it is easy to fill a day with department stores, station corridors, and city views. This workshop offers a different sort of pause: for three quarters of an hour, your attention narrows to a piece of wood, the feel of a hand tool, and the shape you are trying to make.

That is a useful change of pace, especially if you have already seen several temples, shops, and major sights. The activity is practical rather than grand. You are not only watching a demonstration; you take part in shaping, smoothing, and finishing your own chopsticks.

The workshop is at 禅 (ZEN) Chopsticks Making Workshop, inside the Shinjuku West Square Building at 7-4-5 Nishishinjuku. It takes place on the 10th floor, reached by elevator. That indoor, central location makes it easy to slot into a Tokyo day, though it is a workshop visit rather than a stroll through a traditional craft district.

Choosing wood without overthinking it

You begin by choosing a wood type. There are 10 options, each with its own color, grain, and character, and the standard wood is included in the base price. Premium woods are available for an extra fee.

The choice is part of the pleasure, but it need not become a test of expertise. The included wood is described as easier to work than some of the more challenging options, making it a sensible choice if you are new to hand tools or want to keep the cost down. A more expensive wood may appeal if its appearance matters most to you, but a higher price does not automatically mean an easier or better session.

I would start with the standard option unless a particular grain or color really catches your eye. You will still shape and finish the chopsticks yourself, which is the heart of the activity. If you are making a pair as a souvenir, the handwork and personal finish matter at least as much as the wood upgrade.

Shaping with a hand plane

Once you have chosen your wood, you place it on a stand and use a traditional hand plane, called a kanna, to carve it into shape. This is the most hands-on part of the class. Rather than simply receiving a finished object, you work the material yourself and see it change under the tool.

The tools are included, and an English-speaking staff member guides you through the process. The instructor’s role matters here: several participants have singled out staff members such as Momo, Jen, Hazel, Suzana, and Shervin for patient explanations and practical help. One person needed an instructor to fix a chopstick, while another appreciated being allowed to try again after an early problem. That is reassuring if your first pass is not quite right.

The activity is designed for beginners, but it still asks you to put in some effort. One past participant aptly described it as requiring a bit of elbow grease. Take your time, follow the instructions, and ask for help if the shape is not coming together. It is not a machine-made finish delivered to you in a box; your work is part of what gives the finished pair its character.

Sanding, oiling, and making the pair yours

After shaping, you use sandpaper to smooth the surface and edges. This step helps make the chopsticks comfortable to hold and use, while bringing out the wood’s natural appearance. It is a quieter, more precise task than planing, and a good reminder that a finished object often depends on patient small adjustments.

The final stage is a coat of natural oil. It protects the wood and gives it a soft, polished look. The workshop’s sequence is straightforward: shape, smooth, and finish. In less than an hour, you get to see the main stages of turning a piece of wood into a useful object.

You can also choose Japanese name engraving for an additional fee. It is not included in the workshop price, so consider it when setting your budget. If you want the chopsticks to feel distinctly personal, engraving is a worthwhile extra to weigh up. If you are content with a handmade pair and want to keep costs low, the basic experience still includes the central craft work.

What the 45 minutes feel like

The class is short by design. Its stated duration is 45 minutes, which makes it an easy addition to a day of sightseeing or shopping around Shinjuku. You have time to work through the main stages, but not to take a long, leisurely course in woodworking.

That compact format is part of the value. You get a clear, focused activity without giving up half a day, and you leave with an object you can use at home. The trade-off is that anyone hoping for a detailed lesson in Japanese woodworking traditions may want a longer class. Here, the emphasis is on making a pair of chopsticks with guidance, not a broad study of the craft.

The class is listed as having no age limit. Children aged 0 to 2 can attend free, while children aged 13 and older pay the adult rate. Families have found the activity manageable for children, and the step-by-step teaching helps beginners take part. Still, young children will need to follow tool instructions carefully, as the main activity involves shaping wood with a hand plane.

Is the price good value?

The advertised starting price is $6.35, with standard wood included. That makes the base experience an inexpensive way to try a hands-on craft in central Tokyo. The final cost can rise if you choose premium wood or pay for engraving, so check the options before you decide how personal or elaborate you want your pair to be.

For me, the value is not just the finished object. You spend time making it, and the shaping and finishing give you a small connection to the everyday craft of using chopsticks. It is also a more individual souvenir than a standard shop purchase. If you choose the included wood and skip engraving, you can keep the experience close to its starting price.

The workshop has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 2,429 ratings, and the provider’s overall good review rate is 98 percent. The strongest recurring praise is for patient, helpful instructors and for the satisfaction of taking home a handmade item. That is a good sign for a beginner activity, though it does not mean every wood choice or finished pair will be identical. Your result depends in part on the wood you select and the care you put into shaping and sanding it.

Getting to the 10th floor in Nishishinjuku

The workshop address is Shinjuku West Square Building, 7-4-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023. Meet in front of the building, then take the elevator to the 10th floor. The closest station is Shinjuku-Nishiguchi on the Oedo Line, using Exit D5. If you arrive by JR or the Marunouchi Line at Shinjuku Station, use the West Exit or Exit 15 or 16.

You can select a start time from 09:00 through 19:00, with departures offered hourly. Arrive five minutes before your chosen time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule because late arrivals can affect later bookings. The venue is cashless and accepts major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover.

Leave suitcases and large bags at your accommodation or in your vehicle. There is no luggage storage and no room for large bags at the workshop. Booking gives you a mobile voucher, and cancellation is eligible for a full refund if made at least 24 hours before the activity date, in destination local time.

Who will enjoy this workshop most?

This is a good choice if you want a short, practical activity between bigger Tokyo sights. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like making things and would rather bring home a usable keepsake than another decorative trinket. English-speaking staff and close guidance make it approachable for first-timers.

It may be less suitable if you want a long, technical course, expect every upgrade to be included, or would rather avoid using hand tools. The activity is also less appealing if you are carrying a large bag and cannot leave it elsewhere. Keep those limits in mind, and the workshop’s strengths are easy to appreciate.

Should you book the Shinjuku chopstick workshop?

Book it if you want an affordable, compact craft experience with a personal result. The included wood is a sensible starting point, and the staff’s patient instruction can help you through the parts that take a little effort. Add engraving or a premium wood only if those extras matter to you.

Skip it if you are looking for an extended artisan course or a fully included premium souvenir. For most people with 45 minutes to spare, though, this is a smart Shinjuku stop: you learn by doing, leave with something useful, and make a small keepsake with your own hands.

FAQ

How long does the chopstick-making workshop take?

The workshop lasts about 45 minutes.

Where is the workshop located?

It is at 禅 (ZEN) Chopsticks Workshop in the Shinjuku West Square Building, 7-4-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo. The activity takes place on the 10th floor.

How do I get to the workshop?

The closest station is Shinjuku-Nishiguchi on the Oedo Line, Exit D5. From Shinjuku Station on the JR or Marunouchi Line, use the West Exit or Exit 15 or 16. Take the elevator to the 10th floor.

Is the workshop taught in English?

Yes. English-speaking staff are included.

Is wood included in the price?

Yes. Standard wood for making your chopsticks is included. Premium wood upgrades cost extra.

Can I have my name engraved on the chopsticks?

Yes. Japanese name engraving is available as an optional extra fee.

What tools will I use?

You will use traditional tools, including a hand plane called a kanna, as well as sandpaper. The finishing process includes natural oil.

What payment methods does the workshop accept?

The venue is cashless. It accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover.

Can I bring a suitcase or large bag?

No. The venue has no luggage storage and no room for large bags. Leave them at your accommodation or in a vehicle.