Paint a Maneki Neko in Okayama: Take It Home Same Day

Paint a ceramic cat and leave with it finished

Paint an unglazed beckoning cat with acrylic at the Lucky Cats House museum annex in Okayama, choosing from three shapes: double-handed, left-handed, or round. The whole class takes about an hour, and you take the finished piece home immediately. A live guide speaks Japanese and welcomes children from age 3.

The experience

The Lucky Cats House is the workshop annex of a museum that holds roughly 800 beckoning cats from around the world. You arrive, pick one of three ceramic shapes (both hands raised, left hand raised, or circular), and spend the next hour coloring it with acrylic paint. The unglazed surface takes the paint directly, so there's no firing step or waiting: once you set down the brush, the cat is done and ready to carry away.

A guide in Japanese leads the session and handles the materials. Children from age 3 can join, and the space is wheelchair accessible. The class works at its own pace. There's no rush to finish, and no two cats end up the same because you're choosing the colors. It's the kind of souvenir that actually came from your hands, not from a shelf.

What’s included

• Unglazed ceramic beckoning cat in your choice of three shapes.
• acrylic paint and brushes.
• guidance from a live Japanese-speaking instructor.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Infant (3 to 6 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 1 per booking

Live guideJapanese

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by 招き猫美術館

Is this one for you?The workshop is set up so you finish and leave with the cat the same hour, which means you don't need to arrange a second visit or worry about storage if you're staying in a hotel. Pick this one if you want a handmade souvenir that's actually done before you walk out the door.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years); Infant (3 to 6 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

How long does the painting class actually take?

The session runs about an hour from start to finish, including choosing your cat shape and painting it with acrylic. You leave with the completed piece the same day.

What shapes can I choose for the beckoning cat?

You pick from three ceramic shapes: both hands raised (the classic pose), left hand raised, or a round cat. All three are unglazed and ready for acrylic paint.

Do I have to come back later to pick up the finished cat?

No. Once you finish painting, the cat is complete and you take it home immediately. There's no kiln firing or waiting period.

Is the Lucky Cats House easy to reach without a car?

The Lucky Cats House is the museum annex where the painting happens. The space itself is wheelchair accessible, though you'll want to check local transit options to the museum location in Okayama.