Local Cultural Experiences in Kyoto

Furoshiki is the act of wrapping important items in Japanese cloth. The cloth used for wrapping is referred to as furoshiki. In this fun activity you will discover how the Japanese find beauty in a simple piece of cloth by folding it ceremoniously in an aesthetically pleasing way. This furoshiki class is ideal for beginners and it may be simple for advanced level furoshiki learners. Modern uses of furoshiki have included wrapping gifts, bags for carrying shopping or as clothing accessories like scarfs, belts or bandanas. Many have used furoshiki as a part of their eco-friendly and minimalist lifestyle. Reasons for this include saving the amount of wrapping paper, as well as limiting the number of items purchased in one shopping trip. In This Cultural Activity You Can Learn Various […]

Calligraphy Kyoto.  Enjoy a unique Japanese cultural activity of SHODO calligraphy in Kyoto. A shodo expert will kindly explain the connection between meditation and Japanese calligraphy and teach you how to use the brush to create strokes like the Japanese. Enjoy cultural activity of Japan on a 60-minute calligraphy class in Kyoto. Lessons will be held in order of hiragana, katakana, kanji. Kind Japanese teachers will instruct you in the tatami-style room. You will experience: Create fantastic memories of your trip to Japan Opportunities for taking photographs will be highlighted throughout Special experience of Japanese culture Enjoyable experience with children Learning about the history of Japanese culture This is a private session, there will be no strangers in the workshop With the guidance of a kind calligraphy instructor, you will learn […]

In this fun activity you will be given colorful Japanese rice papers and will learn how to make beautiful figures without cutting the paper or using glue. This origami class is for beginners and kids. This class is 40 minutes long. Origami is possibly the most well-known of all of Japan’s cultural activities. This is practiced as an art where paper is folded to create a range shapes including animals, flowers or people. Japanese children learn origami at elementary school to improve their focusing skills and understand the importance of following the instructions to reach an ultimate goal.This is one of the best family activities for travelers visiting Japan where the members can learn from and compete against each other and keep the paper figure they make. Your instructor will […]

Japan is known for its kimonos, sake, and Tea Ceremony. The delicate art of flower arranging is another product of Japan. Known as Ikebana and translated as “arranging flowers” the practice of creating beautiful pieces began in the 7th century when people started to leave flowers at altars across the country. The first real change in the tradition was seen when people put flowers in a special place in the home called the tokonoma alcove. The rituals with flowers would not see much of a difference until the 16th century when Buddhist tea masters used flowers in worshipping Buddha. The tradition was called Mitsu-gosu ko. In Kyoto, guests can now partake of the ancient art. Ikebana has grown to over one thousand schools of style throughout Kyoto, Japan, and the […]

The Japanese have an art form called Kintsugi, which translates as “golden joinery.” It is a rather unusual practice involving mending broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals. Gold, silver, and platinum are used to repair objects that have been chipped or broken. Kintsugi has been practiced for centuries in Japan while countries such as China used staples to mend broken dishes. Kintsugi has been used to fix all sorts of objects, but it became closely connected with ceramic containers that were used for the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Kintsugi was used to repair objects from other lands including China, Korea, and Vietnam. The philosophy behind Kintsugi is similar to wabi-sabi, which teaches appreciation of the imperfect in the world. In Japan, the value of an object is determined […]

Riding on a traditional Japanese rickshaw with EBISUYA is one of the most popular activities for tourists in all of Japan. Unlike with a taxi or bus, with a rickshaw you can see all of the great secret destinations and explore like a local. Our drivers in their traditional Japanese uniforms will lead an exciting adventure where you can learn about amazing places to eat and of course about the culture and history of the town. It’s time to go beyond the guidebook. An EBISUYA Rickshaw tour is a must if you are in Japan! The following is a suggested route for this 45min rickshaw tour: At the center of this quaint town with its cobble stone streets is the Yasaka Shrine and the iconic Yasaka Pagoda. This compact rickshaw […]

Riding on a traditional Japanese rickshaw with EBISUYA is one of the most popular activities for tourists in all of Japan. Unlike with a taxi or bus, with a rickshaw you can see all of the great secret destinations and explore like a local. Our drivers in their traditional Japanese uniforms will lead an exciting adventure where you can learn about amazing places to eat and of course about the culture and history of the town. It’s time to go beyond the guidebook. An EBISUYA Rickshaw tour is a must if you are in Japan! The following is a suggested route for this 45min rickshaw tour: Visit the bamboo forest by rickshaw! Start your trip at the Togetsukyo, the best spot to view the autumn foliage or the cherry blossoms […]

Treat yourself to the high life as a VIP! Maikoya sends a chauffeured car to meet you at your hotel. From there, you will be driven in comfort and style to your pre-selected city: Kyoto, Kyoto or Nara. You will feel like a celebrity as you are escorted from site to site to enjoy the wonderful things your chosen city has to offer. In addition to the chauffeur, Maikoya provides you with your own licensed tour guide. The guide can explain all that you want to know about the history and significance of the places you choose to visit. Your trip to Japan is a special event in your life, and we at Maikoya believe that you should feel special, too. With us, you can travel these spectacular and historic […]

Ikebana means making flowers alive or giving flowers life. It is the Japanese way of flower arrangement also known as kado. During the Heian period, the priests who took care of altar arrangements were called ikenobo and they are the first known masters who developed the best way of arranging flowers. Ikebana has simple rules influenced by simplicity and minimalism in Buddhism. There are usually 3 types of main flowers: primary flower in the middle, the secondary flower right next to it and an ornamental flower down below. There are also 2 main types of vases a wide and low round vases called moribana and tall thin vases called nageire. Unique Virtual Ikebana Flower Arrangement Experience This is a private online ikebana experience that lasts approximately 60 minutes. Your online ikebana experience will include Explanation of […]