Private Japanese Calligraphy in Kyoto – Learn Shodō with a Master
Description
Step into the elegant world of Shodō, Japan’s traditional art of brush writing. In this completely private lesson, held inside a welcoming Kyoto home, you’ll be guided by a calligraphy master with over 55 years of experience. No other guests will join your session, allowing you and your companions to enjoy an intimate and authentic experience in a calm, homely atmosphere. Learn the proper brush techniques, feel how the calligrapher’s state of mind shapes each stroke, and create your own beautiful kanji. Choose a favorite character from a wide selection and add your name in Japanese beside it — a unique keepsake of your time in Kyoto.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 12 years old cannot be accommodated to maintain a quiet learning environment.
- If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, the class cannot be offered and refunds are not available.
- Offered in English and Japanese.
- Please wear or bring clean socks — entering the tatami room barefoot is not permitted.
- For delays due to public transport or weather, please contact us as soon as possible.
Reviews(41)
Aya has been learning calligraphy since she was 3 years old and is a wonderful teacher. Patient, informative, helpful plus she takes great photos of you doing the calligraphy that she airdrops to you at the end of class!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a heartwarming review! I am absolutely thrilled to read your kind words. Teaching calligraphy has been my passion since I was three years old, so hearing that you found the class patient, informative, and helpful truly means the world to me. I’m also so glad you enjoyed the photos! I always love capturing those special, focused moments for my guests, and I'm happy the AirDrop trick worked out perfectly for you. It was an absolute pleasure having you in my class. I hope the memories of your calligraphy experience stay with you for a long time. If you ever decide to practice more or visit again, you are always welcome! Warm regards, Aya Ito Sakura Experience Japanese Culture Kyoto
Aya gave us a truly special experience. The class took place in her home, which made it deeply meaningful for our family. Being welcomed into a traditional Japanese home added an authenticity we will never forget. She is a skilled and passionate teacher — clear in her instruction and encouraging throughout. What meant the most to us was how she recognized our son Max’s artistic ability and encouraged him. That moment alone made the experience priceless. Her English is excellent, which made communication easy and comfortable. We felt honored to learn from her and grateful for the opportunity to experience Japanese calligraphy in such an intimate and authentic setting. A memorable experience we will always cherish.
Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure to welcome you and your family into our home. I am very happy to hear that the experience felt meaningful and authentic for you. Sharing Japanese culture in a traditional home setting is something very important to me, so your words mean a great deal. I was especially surprised by your son Max’s artistic ability. His sense of balance and expression was remarkable. Please encourage him to continue writing not only digitally but also with a brush after you return home. I truly believe his talent will continue to blossom. It was a joy to spend time with your family, and I feel honored that you chose to experience Japanese calligraphy with me. I hope the memories of your time in Kyoto stay with you for many years. Thank you again for visiting. I wish you and your family all the best. Warm regards, Aya
Unique experience with a lovely and knowledgeable teacher who actually helped us leave with a few samples of our work. Highly recommend even if you have no experience at ll ( like us) . We learned so much and also experienced the quieting of the state of mind .
Thank you so much for joining our class and for your wonderful words! I’m delighted that you enjoyed learning traditional Japanese culture hands-on and could take home some of your own beautiful calligraphy work. I truly hope to welcome you again to my cultural experiences in Kyoto — including tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement), and art sushi roll classes at my home. Thank you again for your kind recommendation and for helping others find real Kyoto experiences! Warm regards, Aya Sakura
This calligraphy class was a great way to learn a bit about Japanese culture and practice our brush skills. The instructor was very welcoming, knowledgeable, and personable; she taught us about the evolution of calligraphy and gave clear, easy-to-follow instructions for drawing the characters we chose. After an hour spent learning and laughing, we were able to create our own personal calligraphy souvenirs from the class. We would definitely recommend this activity in Kyoto!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the calligraphy class and learned more about the beauty and history of Japanese writing. It’s always my pleasure to share not only the techniques of brushwork but also the spirit and meaning behind this traditional art. I’m glad you could take home your own calligraphy as a special Kyoto memory — each piece reflects your focus and creativity. I hope to welcome you again to experience more of Japan’s cultural traditions such as tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement), and art sushi roll classes at my home. Thank you for recommending my experiences to other travelers! Warm regards, Aya Sakura
It very informative and it quickly transitioned into the practical part. First, I touched the brush to understand the brush guide. Later, my lines were corrected and then let go. That was a very good accompaniment. The atmosphere was very warm and additionally I got a recommendation for two stores.
Herzlichen Dank für Ihre wunderbare Rückmeldung! Es freut mich sehr zu hören, dass Ihnen die Kalligrafie-Erfahrung gefallen hat und Sie die Balance zwischen Anleitung und eigenem Ausprobieren genossen haben. Ich lege großen Wert darauf, dass jeder Gast die Schönheit der japanischen Schrift und die Ruhe des Moments spüren kann. Ich wünsche Ihnen weiterhin viel Freude mit der Kalligrafie und hoffe, Sie eines Tages wieder in Kyoto begrüßen zu dürfen! Liebe Grüße, Aya Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the calligraphy experience and appreciated the balance between guidance and free practice. It’s always my wish that each guest can feel the beauty of Japanese writing and the calm spirit behind it. I hope you continue to enjoy calligraphy, and I would be delighted to welcome you back to Kyoto someday. Warm regards, Aya
I’m here with a tour group & was thrilled to have the chance to break away from the group one afternoon & sign up for this class. So far, this experience has been one of my favorites from my entire trip to Japan! Aya is patient & kind teacher. I loved learning the different brush techniques & found the afternoon to be informative, fun, & relaxing! I am excited to be able to take my calligraphy home! I am a teacher of blind students, & after class & learning about calligraphy, I was able to show Aya what her name looks like in braille! Please sign up for this class & have the chance to learn something in a fun & relaxed setting. Highly recommend! ~~ Sara from Seattle
Dear Sara, Thank you so much for your wonderful words! I’m truly honored that you chose to spend part of your trip with me and that the calligraphy experience became one of your favorite memories in Japan. It was such a joy to share this art with you, and I loved learning about your work and seeing my name in braille—that was an unforgettable moment for me! I hope your calligraphy brings back happy memories every time you see it. Please visit again if you return to Japan—I would love to welcome you back. Safe travels and thank you again for your kind recommendation! Warm regards, Aya
Very pleasant, instructive and fun! We learned about calligraphy and practiced drawing the beautiful symbols with ink. The hostess was very generous with her time.
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the calligraphy experience and had fun learning and practicing the beautiful characters. It was a pleasure to spend time with you. I truly appreciate your warm words and hope you will continue to enjoy the art of calligraphy. You are always welcome back anytime! Warmest regards, Aya
This is a supremely pleasant and enriching experience. The teacher provides a no pressure environment in a typical home setting, with a delicate yet informed approach. It’s a cultural and deeply personal experience which can unlock a lifelong passion for perfection. Calligraphy is ancient and worth trying and Kyoto and this teacher were the perfect way to try it.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It brings me great joy to hear that you found the experience both enriching and relaxing. I always strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where guests can truly connect with the spirit of calligraphy and Japanese culture at my home. I'm deeply grateful that you chose to explore this timeless art form here in Kyoto with me, and I hope it continues to inspire you on your journey. Please know that you are always welcome back anytime. Warmest regards, Aya
We had a great time. The teacher is very experienced, patient and helpful. We got to keep and take many examples home. They were kind and spoke English very well which was helpful. Recommend this tour!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great time and enjoyed the experience. It’s wonderful to know that the teacher’s expertise and patience made a positive impact, and we’re glad you found the English support helpful. We hope the examples you took home bring back fond memories. Thank you for recommending our tour—we hope to see you again someday!
If you're in Kyoto and interested in a cultural experience, TAKE THIS CLASS. Aya-san and her husband were wonderful hosts. Aya-san's 50+ years of experience in the art of Japanese calligraphy, provided a class full of history, deep knowledge, and wonderful instruction. She is a natural teacher. I was so taken with the experience that I wanted a brush of my own. Aya-san directed to her favorite shop and over text helped me select a weasel brush in my price range. She and her husband were generous and lovely hosts to us.
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the calligraphy experience with us and found it enriching. It was truly a pleasure sharing Japanese art and its history with you. I’m so glad I could help you find the perfect brush! I hope it brings you joy and inspires your future practice. We really enjoyed having you with us and would be thrilled to welcome you back anytime. Thank you again, and best of luck on your calligraphy journey! Warm regards, Aya
