Kintsugi Workshop Kyoto: Repair Ceramics with Gold

Turn a cracked bowl into art with your own hands.

A kintsugi workshop in Kyoto where you repair a ceramic piece using lacquer and gold powder, learning the Japanese philosophy behind the craft from an experienced instructor. The workshop lasts 90 minutes, includes your finished bowl or plate to take home, and runs in English. Plate options vary, and upgrades are available for an additional fee.

The experience

What does it feel like to hold a broken piece of pottery and watch it become whole again? Not by hiding the damage, but by making it the most beautiful part? That's the core of kintsugi, and in this workshop near Gion you'll do it yourself. You work in a quiet space with an English-speaking instructor who walks you through the technique: applying lacquer to the cracks in your chosen bowl or plate, then dusting the seams with gold powder. The process is deliberate and meditative, nothing rushed.

The instructor covers the history of kintsugi and the philosophy behind it: the Japanese idea that imperfection and repair are not flaws to hide but evidence of an object's life and character worth celebrating. You'll learn the basic techniques hands-on, working at your own pace while the instructor guides you through each step. By the end of 90 minutes, you have a one-of-a-kind piece that's both functional and a tangible memory of the time you spent learning this craft.

Your finished bowl or plate is yours to take home. The workshop offers different plate options to start with, and if you want to work on a larger or more complex piece, upgrades are available for an additional cost. This is a calm introduction to a traditional Japanese art form: no prior experience needed, and it suits anyone who wants to slow down and make something with intention.

What’s included

• Kintsugi workshop instruction.
• English-speaking instructor.
• ceramic bowl or plate to repair and take home.
• lacquer and gold powder materials.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1h before

GroupUp to 10

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by With Japan

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a hands-on class where you make something tangible to take home, rather than a tour where you watch and listen. The small-group setting and quiet workshop space suit anyone seeking a meditative experience over a social one.

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Top questions

What ceramic piece do I repair in the kintsugi workshop?

You choose from various plate and bowl options available at the workshop. If you want to work on a larger or more complex piece, upgrades are available for an additional fee.

Do I get to keep what I make?

Yes, your finished piece goes home with you as a souvenir and a reminder of the workshop.

Is the instructor in English?

The instructor is English-speaking and guides you through the techniques and the philosophy of kintsugi throughout the 90-minute session.

What is kintsugi and why does it matter?

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics with lacquer and gold powder. Rather than hiding the damage, it celebrates the cracks as part of the object's history and character, reflecting a Japanese philosophy that values imperfection and mindfulness.

How long does the workshop take?

The workshop runs for 90 minutes, giving you time to repair your piece and learn the basic techniques without feeling rushed.