Calligraphy lesson in Matsumoto: write characters with a master

Write your own characters under instruction from a calligrapher

A calligraphy class in a historic house in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, where you learn brush technique from a master calligrapher and write characters on colored paper to take home. The lesson runs about an hour, with pickup from Matsumoto City Station included; the venue overlooks a Japanese garden and sits directly across from Matsumoto Castle, so you can visit both in the same afternoon.

The Experience

You'll gather at the castle entrance of Matsumoto City Station, then drive about ten minutes to Ikegami Hyakutaketei, a traditional private house with views of the castle and a Japanese garden. The master calligrapher will walk you through the tools and proper technique, starting with a demonstration of a character you choose. Even if you've never held a brush before, the instruction is built for beginners — the goal is to make something you'll actually want to frame.

After practicing on five sheets of half-sized paper, you'll write on colored shikishi paper, which you can take home and display as a souvenir. The whole lesson takes about sixty minutes. Once you're done, the venue stays open for you to walk the Japanese garden and see the tea ceremony room if you want to linger; Matsumoto Castle is directly in front, so you can move straight from the calligraphy house to the castle grounds without backtracking.

What’s included

• English-speaking master calligrapher providing instruction.
• calligraphy tools and brushes.
• five sheets of practice paper.
• colored shikishi paper for your finished work.
• pickup from Matsumoto City Station.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Shuminavi Inc.

Is this one for you?The lesson is seated and runs about an hour straight through, so it suits an afternoon when you want to learn something hands-on without a long commitment. The pickup from the station means you don't navigate to the venue yourself, and the location next to the castle lets you combine two things in one trip.

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Top questions

What do I actually write during the calligraphy lesson?

You choose a character or characters you want to write, and the master demonstrates it first. You then practice on five half-sheets of paper before creating your final piece on colored shikishi paper, which you take home.

How much time should I set aside for this, including the castle?

The calligraphy lesson itself is about sixty minutes. If you want to walk Matsumoto Castle and the garden at the venue afterward, add another hour or two depending on how long you linger at each place.

Do I need to know anything about calligraphy before I arrive?

No — the master teaches beginners from the start, showing you how to hold the brush, control the ink, and form the strokes. You don't need any prior experience.

Is there parking or public transport to get there?

Pickup from Matsumoto City Station is included. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to make your own way to the venue.

What happens to the practice sheets and the final piece?

The five practice sheets stay at the venue. Your final colored shikishi paper is yours to take home — it can be framed and displayed as a memento of your time in Matsumoto.