Calligraphy Workshop in Namba: Write Your Name in Kanji

Write your name in Japanese, brush and ink in hand

A two-hour calligraphy workshop in Namba, downtown Osaka, where you learn to write your own name in kanji or katakana under step-by-step instruction from a Japanese calligrapher. Even as a complete beginner, you'll master the brush and ink techniques needed to create a one-of-a-kind handwritten souvenir on colored paper or a name tag to take home. The workshop sits close to Dotonbori, Nihonbashi and Kuromon Market, so you can build it into a larger day exploring the neighborhood.

The experience

Namba's calligraphy workshop starts with the fundamentals: how to hold the brush, how the ink stone and ink stick work together, and the basic strokes that form Japanese characters. Your instructor gives detailed step-by-step guidance, so there's no assumption of prior experience. The real work happens when you write your own name: either in kanji (the characters borrowed from Chinese) or katakana (the phonetic script used for foreign words), and watch the characters take shape under your own hand.

By the end of the two hours, you've created something you'll actually keep: your name written in Japanese on colored paper or a luggage tag, a souvenir that carries both the skill you learned and the memory of the session itself. The workshop gives you the brushes, ink stone, ink stick and all the materials you need. You leave with the finished piece and the knowledge of what Japanese calligraphy actually is, beyond the aesthetic you might have seen in films or museums.

Namba sits at the heart of downtown Osaka, and Dotonbori, Nihonbashi and Kuromon Market are all within easy reach before or after the workshop. Public transportation options are nearby, so fitting this into a larger day of exploring the district takes minimal planning.

What’s included

• Brushes, ink stone, ink stick and all workshop materials.
• your finished handwritten name on colored paper or a luggage tag.
• live instruction in English from a Japanese calligraphy instructor.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDepartures at 11:00 and 13:00

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Calligraphy Workshop

Is this one for you?The workshop runs two hours with a live instructor guiding you through each step, so you'll spend the time actively learning and writing rather than watching a demonstration. Book this if you want hands-on instruction and a finished souvenir you've made yourself, rather than a quick overview or a pre-made gift.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

Can I do this calligraphy workshop if I've never held a brush before?

Yes. The instructor gives detailed step-by-step instruction from the start, so beginners learn the fundamentals (how to hold the brush, how to use the ink stone and ink stick, and the basic strokes) before writing your own name. No prior experience is required.

What do I actually write during the workshop?

You write your own name in Japanese, choosing either kanji or katakana. The instructor guides you through the process, and at the end you create a finished piece on colored paper or a luggage tag that you take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

What's included in the workshop?

The workshop provides brushes, an ink stone, an ink stick and all the materials you need to practice and create your finished piece. You take home your handwritten name and your souvenir.

Where exactly is the workshop located in Osaka?

The workshop is in Namba, downtown Osaka. Dotonbori, Nihonbashi and Kuromon Market are all close by, so you can visit those areas before or after the session and make the most of your day in the neighborhood.

Is there a minimum age to join the workshop?

Children are welcome from age 10 and up. The instructor can work with younger learners who are ready to focus on the brush techniques and writing.