Kintsugi workshop in Kyoto: repair ceramics with gold

Repair broken ceramics with gold and lacquer, learning an ancient Japanese craft

A 90-minute Kintsugi workshop in central Kyoto where you repair a ceramic bowl or plate using traditional urushi lacquer and real gold powder, guided in English by an expert instructor. You clean the cracks, join the pieces, apply gold to the repaired lines, and leave with your finished work. The workshop is wheelchair accessible; children under 7 cannot participate.

The Experience

Ninety minutes is enough to learn and complete a full Kintsugi repair. You'll work with an English-speaking instructor who guides you through each step: cleaning the broken edges, joining the ceramic pieces back together, then applying the urushi lacquer and real gold powder that turn the cracks into the focal point of the piece. The philosophy behind it—that imperfection and repair are beautiful—unfolds as you work, not as a lecture beforehand.

You bring nothing but your hands. The workshop provides all the tools and materials, including the urushi lacquer and gold powder, so the only thing you're learning is the technique and the history. The piece you repair stays with you; it's a working bowl or plate, not a decoration, and it carries the story of what you made in that room in central Kyoto.

The location sits in Gion, accessible by public transportation, and the space itself is wheelchair accessible. If you're traveling with children, note that anyone under 7 cannot participate in this workshop—the materials and the precision required set that boundary. Everyone else, regardless of fitness level, can do this work.

What’s included

• All tools and materials for the repair, including urushi lacquer and real gold powder.
• instruction in English from an expert guide.
• the finished ceramic piece to take home.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Traveling Kyoto

Is this one for you?You do the repair work yourself under guided instruction, which means you're learning the technique hands-on rather than watching a demonstration. Choose this if you want to actually make something and understand the craft, not just observe it—and if you have at least 90 minutes and are 7 or older.

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Top questions

How long does the Kintsugi workshop take?

The workshop runs 90 minutes from start to finish, including instruction, hands-on repair work, and completing your piece to take home.

What exactly do I repair in the workshop?

You repair a ceramic bowl or plate that's already broken. The instructor guides you through cleaning the cracks, joining the pieces, and applying the urushi lacquer and gold powder that highlight the repaired lines.

Do I need any experience with ceramics or art?

No experience is required. The instructor teaches the technique from the beginning, and the workshop is designed for anyone curious about the craft, regardless of background.

What happens to the piece I repair—can I actually use it?

Yes, your finished piece is a functional bowl or plate. You take it home as a keepsake and can use it; it's not just decorative.

Is the workshop accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The workshop space is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby to reach the location in central Kyoto.

Can children join the workshop?

Children ages 7 and up can participate. Children under 7 cannot take part in this workshop due to the materials and precision involved.