About this tour
When Em from our BugBitten team booked this workshop in Japan, she walked away with a handmade washi notebook and a mizuhiki belt she'd actually knotted herself — not a souvenir bought off a shelf. Over two and a half hours, you'll choose your own washi paper (the soft, fibrous stuff used in Japanese arts for centuries), bind it into an A6 notebook, then learn three traditional mizuhiki knots to fashion a belt and bookmark. Mizuhiki — decorative paper cord — has been part of Japanese weddings and funerals for 680 years, and the instructors know their craft inside out. The whole thing wraps with tea and sweets, and the vibe is relaxed enough for anyone, regardless of fitness or craft experience.
Highlights
- Choose your own washi paper from a vivid colour and pattern range
- Learn three mizuhiki knots — actual traditional Japanese technique, not a gimmick
- Finished notebook is pocket-sized and genuinely usable, not tacky
- Expert instructors guide you through each step without rushing
- Tea and Japanese sweets included — small cultural touch
- Suitable for all levels; no prior craft experience needed
- Take home two keepsakes you've made with your own hands
What to expect
You'll arrive at a workshop space and be greeted by the instructor, who walks you through the washi paper selection first. Em found herself genuinely absorbed in choosing the cover design — there's enough range that you're not picking between three options. Next comes the binding: folding, measuring, stitching. It's meditative rather than fiddly, and the instructors keep pace with where you're at. Then mizuhiki. You'll learn the knots by doing them, which is where the workshop earns its stripes — these aren't abstract ideas, they're hand skills you can actually feel clicking into place.
The second half is mizuhiki knotting for the belt and bookmark. Three knots sounds simple, but the instructors show you the logic behind each one, so you understand what you're doing rather than just copying motions. The whole experience is unhurried; two and a half hours gives you time to chat, ask questions, and actually absorb what's happening. By the end, you've got finished pieces and a decent working knowledge of two traditional Japanese crafts.
What travellers say
- Small-group instruction — instructors actually know where you're at
- Two finished, usable pieces you've genuinely made yourself
- Expert-led mizuhiki knotting — rare chance to learn a real tradition
- Relaxed pacing allows time to absorb and ask questions
- Tea and sweets included — thoughtful cultural finishing touch
- All materials provided; zero hidden costs or upsells
- Public transport access only — factor in travel time and costs
- Cat on-site — check for allergies before booking
- Peak season bookings fill quickly; plan ahead
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This isn't a mass-participation factory. The group size is small enough that instructors remember where you're up to, and they'll adjust pace if someone needs extra help. You leave with genuinely useful, beautifully made items — a notebook you'll actually write in and a mizuhiki belt that's a proper keepsake. If you're into traditional crafts, Japanese culture, or just want to make something with your hands rather than tick a box, it's worth the time and money. Works well for solo travellers, couples, and small groups.
Public transport gets you there, but it's not on the doorstep — factor in travel time. There's a cat in the workshop space, so mention allergies when you book. The workshop is suitable for all fitness levels, but you are sitting and working with your hands for two and a half hours, so if you've got hand mobility issues, check with the instructors first. Private transport isn't included, so budget for that separately. The workshop fills up during peak tourist seasons.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.