Tokyo Shinjuku: Premium Chopstick-Making Workshop With Engraving O

In Kabukicho, this one-hour workshop turns a practical object into a personal souvenir: you choose the wood, shape and sand your chopsticks, then add your name in Kanji. The process is hands-on, but English-speaking staff guide you through the work.

I like two things in particular: premium woods, including Yakusugi, come with the listed plan, and the engraving is included rather than an extra you have to decide on at the end. One consideration: an hour is a short window for a craft activity, so arrive on time and be ready to focus.

At a glance

• Choose from more than 10 kinds of wood, including premium selections with distinctive color and grain.
• Shape, sand, and oil your own chopsticks with guidance from English-speaking staff.
• Add custom Kanji engraving using the studio’s original Kanji dictionary.
• Take your finished chopsticks home the same day, making this an easy-to-carry Tokyo memento.
• Find the studio on the eighth floor in Kabukicho, a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s East Exit.

Choosing wood is part of the craft

The workshop starts with a decision that is more interesting than it sounds: which wood should become your chopsticks? You can choose from more than 10 types, with differences in color and grain. That lets you make the object feel like yours before you even pick up a tool.

Yakusugi, a rare cedar, is one of the notable options. It has a distinctive character, and it is a good choice if you want the material itself to be a talking point when you bring your chopsticks home. The experience also includes premium wood upgrades, some of which can otherwise cost as much as ¥8,000. That inclusion makes the plan’s price more appealing than a basic craft session with costly add-ons.

I would take a moment to compare the available pieces rather than choosing in a hurry. Grain and color are part of the souvenir, and your choice will be more meaningful if you select a wood you genuinely like. The exact selection available on the day is not specified, so don’t arrive expecting every wood type to be in stock.

Shaping, sanding, and oiling your pair

Once you have chosen your wood, you shape and sand the chopsticks with tools and materials supplied by the studio. Staff offer guidance as you work, so you are not left to puzzle out the process alone. The finished pair is handmade by you, but the activity is designed for people who are new to the craft.

The oiling stage is part of the process too. Together, shaping, sanding, and oiling give you a chance to handle the material and see how careful work turns a piece of wood into something you can use. This is a better fit for someone who likes making things than for someone looking for a demonstration where they can sit back and watch.

The session lasts about an hour, so think of it as a focused introduction rather than an in-depth course. The short format is a practical advantage on a busy Tokyo itinerary: you can fit a hands-on activity into your day without giving up half of it. The trade-off is that you should not expect a long, leisurely workshop with time for extensive experimentation.

Kanji engraving makes the souvenir personal

Custom engraving is included in the all-inclusive plan. You can use the studio’s original Kanji dictionary to turn your name into Kanji, then watch as it is engraved on your chopsticks. That personal detail helps the finished pair feel less like a generic souvenir and more like something tied to your time in Japan.

If you are unsure which characters to choose, the dictionary gives you a starting point, and staff can guide you through the activity in English. The listing does not specify how many characters can be engraved or whether you can choose other text, so check with the studio if you have a particular engraving in mind.

Because the engraving is included, you do not have to weigh the sentimental touch against an extra fee during the session. It also means you leave with a finished item the same day, rather than a craft project you need to collect later. For a one-hour experience, that is a tidy, practical finish.

One hour in Kabukicho

The workshop takes place at Chopsticks Studio Shinjuku, at 1-chome-5-4 Kabukicho, on the eighth floor of the Dai 22 Azuma Building. It is about a five-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Shinjuku Station and one minute from Exit 13 of the Shinjuku Underground Shopping Mall. The building can be easier to identify by its first-floor whisky specialty shop and the karaoke store with a blue sign next door.

The itinerary is simple: meet at the studio, spend an hour making chopsticks, and finish back at the same address. There is no transfer or sightseeing stop to plan around, which makes this a useful activity to pair with other time in Shinjuku. The studio also offers Shinjuku views, Japanese souvenirs, and other activities such as Kintsugi and calligraphy, though the chopstick-making session itself is the main event.

The workshop offers selected start times from 9:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. You need to attend the time you choose when booking and should arrive five minutes early. The return time depends on your selected start time and the one-hour duration, so check the times shown for your booking.

Is the $31.55 starting price good value?

The all-inclusive premium plan starts at US$31.55. For that price, you get the workshop, English-speaking staff, tools and materials, premium wood upgrades, engraving, and the pair you make. The value is especially good if you want to choose a premium wood: the option to use woods that can otherwise cost up to ¥8,000 is included rather than added at checkout.

The price also covers more than a souvenir purchase. You spend an hour making the item, learn how its shape comes together, and personalize it before you take it home. If your priority is to shop quickly for the cheapest pair of chopsticks, this is not the most direct route. If you value the making process and a custom finish, the workshop offers more than a ready-made gift.

The listed price is a starting price, so confirm the total for your chosen date and booking before you pay. The experience is sold as an all-inclusive premium plan, but booking details and availability can change.

Who will enjoy this workshop most?

I would put this on the list for couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who enjoy a small creative project and want a souvenir they have a hand in making. It can also suit someone who has already done the main sightseeing and wants an activity that feels distinct from another hour of shopping or café-hopping.

The personal engraving makes it an appealing gift-making activity, while the choice of wood gives people room to make different-looking pairs. Staff names associated with sessions include Yumi, Elena, and Sadee, though staffing can vary. The workshop is described as guided by friendly English-speaking staff, which is helpful if you want to ask questions while working.

If you are travelling with children, remember that infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount when booking. The information provided does not give a minimum age or explain how much hands-on help children need, so ask the provider if you are planning to bring a very young child. Pets are not allowed.

A few booking details worth checking

You can present a mobile voucher, and confirmation is expected within minutes. The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, so check those details carefully before setting out. Late arrivals can lose the booking: the stated policy says refunds are not available for participants who arrive 15 minutes or more late, and missed sessions are not refundable.

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. Changes and refunds can depend on availability, and redeemed or expired tickets are not refundable. These rules make punctuality worthwhile, particularly if you are fitting the workshop between other plans.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a compact, hands-on Tokyo activity with a souvenir that is both useful and personal. The strongest reasons are the included premium woods, the guided making process, and the Kanji engraving at no added charge. Yakusugi is a particularly memorable option if it is available when you visit.

Skip it if you mainly want a long craft class, or if you would rather spend your hour seeing a major sight. This is a focused workshop, not a broad cultural tour, and the one-hour format keeps the experience brisk. For anyone who likes making things and wants something more personal than a shop-bought keepsake, it is a smart use of time in Shinjuku.

FAQ

How long does the chopstick-making workshop last?

The activity lasts about one hour.

What is included in the all-inclusive premium plan?

It includes admission, English-speaking staff, premium wood upgrades, engraving, tools and materials, staff guidance, and the handmade chopsticks to take home.

Can I choose a premium type of wood?

Yes. The plan includes premium wood upgrades, with more than 10 types of wood to choose from, including Yakusugi. Availability of specific types can vary.

Is Kanji engraving included?

Yes. Custom Kanji engraving is included, and you can use the studio’s original Kanji dictionary to turn your name into Kanji.

Where is Chopsticks Studio Shinjuku?

It is on the eighth floor of the Dai 22 Azuma Building at 1-chome-5-4 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City. It is a five-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station’s East Exit and a one-minute walk from Exit 13 of the Shinjuku Underground Shopping Mall.

How early should I arrive, and what happens if I am late?

Arrive five minutes before your selected start time. The stated policy does not allow refunds for participants who arrive 15 minutes or more late or miss the activity.