Kyoto Kintsugi Gold Repair Pottery Class: Learn & Take Home

Repair broken pottery with gold lacquer, learn the philosophy, walk out with your piece

A 90-minute kintsugi pottery repair class in Kyoto where you learn the traditional Japanese technique of mending broken ceramics with lacquer and gold while embracing the philosophy of imperfection. An English-speaking guide walks you through each step on a standard pottery piece (or an upgraded plate or bowl of your choice), and you take your finished work home as a souvenir. Beginner-friendly; no prior experience needed.

The Experience

The workshop runs 90 minutes and starts with your guide introducing kintsugi itself—not just the hands-on repair, but the Japanese philosophy behind it: the idea that broken things gain beauty and meaning through their mending, not in spite of it. A standard pottery piece is included, though you can upgrade to a wider selection of unique plates and bowls for an additional fee if you want to repair something that matches your taste. The choice is yours at checkout.

Once you've picked your piece, the guide walks you through the basic techniques step by step. You'll work with lacquer and gold to repair the breaks, learning how to apply them so the cracks become part of the design rather than something to hide. All the tools are provided, and the instruction is careful enough that you don't need any pottery experience to follow along. The guide speaks English throughout, so the technique and the reasoning behind it both come through clearly.

By the end of the session, your repaired piece is finished and ready to travel. You take it home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir—something you made with your hands in Kyoto, carrying both the technique and the philosophy of kintsugi with it.

What’s included

• A standard pottery piece to repair.
• use of all tools and materials (lacquer and gold).
• English-speaking guide instruction.
• your finished piece to take home.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by With Japan

Is this one for you?The class runs 90 minutes of hands-on work at a steady pace—you're standing and working with your hands the whole time, so it suits anyone comfortable with a short creative session. If you want a cultural experience you can hold in your hands when you leave Kyoto, this one delivers it.

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Top questions

What exactly is kintsugi and what will I learn in the class?

Kintsugi is the traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold, turning damage into beauty rather than hiding it. In the class, your guide teaches you the basic techniques of how to apply the lacquer and gold to mend breaks, and also explains the philosophy behind the practice—the idea of finding meaning and beauty in imperfection and renewal.

Do I need pottery experience to join this class?

No. The class is beginner-friendly and all steps are carefully guided, so you can join without any prior experience. The guide walks you through each technique as you work on your own piece.

What piece of pottery will I repair, and can I choose?

A standard pottery piece is included with the class. You can also upgrade to a wider selection of unique plates and bowls for an additional fee, allowing you to choose a piece that matches your personal style and take home something even more special.

Will I take my finished piece home with me?

Yes. At the end of the 90-minute session, your repaired piece is complete and ready to travel. You take it home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Kyoto.

What language is the instruction in?

The guide speaks English throughout the workshop, so all instruction and explanation of the kintsugi philosophy is clear and accessible.