Kintsugi Workshop in Kyoto: Learn Gold Repair Art

Repair broken pottery with gold and take home what you made

A hands-on kintsugi workshop in Kyoto where you learn the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold seams, guided step-by-step by an English-speaking instructor. You repair a piece of pottery yourself and take it home. No experience needed. The workshop runs about an hour and suits all fitness levels.

The experience

You arrive at the workshop and learn the philosophy behind kintsugi: the Japanese practice of embracing imperfection and transforming broken objects instead of hiding their damage. The instructor walks you through the process of joining and decorating broken pottery, showing how the gold seams highlight the cracks rather than conceal them. This is not about making something look new. It's about honoring what the object has been through.

You work with your hands to repair your own piece of pottery under step-by-step guidance. Various plate options are available, and you can add upgrades if you want to work with a different ceramic or a larger piece. The instructor is there to help you through each stage, so beginners pick it up easily. By the end, you have a finished object you created yourself: a one-of-a-kind reminder of the time you spent learning a craft that reflects how Japanese aesthetics see beauty in imperfection and history.

What’s included

• Hands-on kintsugi instruction.
• finished pottery piece to take home.
• English-speaking instructor.
• access to various plate options with upgrades available for an additional fee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by With Japan

Is this one for you?The instructor teaches entirely in English, so you follow the steps and the philosophy comfortably even if you don't speak Japanese. It works for anyone with a free afternoon: couples, families, solo travelers, or friends looking for a creative hour that doesn't demand physical exertion.

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Top questions

What exactly do I make in the kintsugi workshop?

You repair a piece of broken pottery by joining the pieces and decorating the seams with gold, creating a finished ceramic piece you take home. The workshop offers various plate options, and you can choose upgrades to work with different ceramics or sizes.

Do I need any experience with pottery or art to join?

No previous experience is needed. The workshop is designed for beginners, and the instructor guides you through each step of the repair and decoration process.

What does kintsugi actually mean, and why is it done this way?

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold seams. It reflects a Japanese philosophy that values an object's history and imperfections rather than trying to make it look untouched: the gold seams highlight the cracks instead of hiding them.

How long does the workshop take?

The workshop runs about an hour, so it fits easily into an afternoon in Kyoto.

Is the instructor English-speaking?

Yes, the instructor speaks English and guides you through the entire workshop in English.