Calligraphy lesson in Tokyo: write your name in kanji

Learn to hold the brush, find the line, write your name in kanji

A calligraphy lesson in Tokyo teaches you the basics of shodo—brush grip, posture, stroke technique—so you can write your own name or a favorite word in kanji and take the finished piece home. The class runs 90 minutes in a small group near Iriya Station, with all supplies included and a guide who speaks English and Japanese. Children from age 3 are welcome.

The Experience

The lesson starts with the fundamentals: how to hold the brush, how to stand, how to make the strokes that form each character. Your guide walks you through the technique step by step, then you pick what to write—your name in Japanese, a word in kanji that matters to you, whatever you want to take home. You work at your own pace, and the guide watches and corrects as you go, so the brush becomes less foreign the more you use it.

By the end of 90 minutes, you have something physical to keep: your work mounted on an autograph board, ready to pack. The studio sits a five-minute walk from Iriya Station, close enough to Asakusa and Ueno that you can fit the class into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day. All the supplies—ink, brushes, paper, the board itself—are included, so you arrive with nothing but the word you want to write.

What’s included

• Calligraphy supplies (brushes, ink, paper).
• autograph board to mount and take home your finished work.
• live guide in English or Japanese.
• small-group instruction suitable for all fitness levels.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tokyo Iriya Shodo Club (Japanese Calligraphy Culture Experience in Tokyo)

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want to make something with your hands and leave Tokyo with a tangible piece of your trip. The small-group format and 90-minute length fit easily into a morning or afternoon without eating a full day, and the guide's instruction means you walk out with an actual skill, not just a memory.

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Top questions

What exactly do I learn in a calligraphy lesson in Tokyo?

You learn the fundamentals of shodo: how to grip the brush, how to position your body, and how to draw the strokes that form kanji characters. The guide teaches you step by step, then you practice by writing your own name in Japanese or a favorite word in kanji.

Can I take my calligraphy home after the class?

Yes. Your finished work is mounted on an autograph board that you take with you at the end of the lesson, so you have a physical memory of what you wrote.

How long does the calligraphy class take?

The class runs 90 minutes, which gives you time to learn the basics, practice, and complete a piece you can keep.

Is the calligraphy class suitable for children?

Children are welcome from age 3, so families can join together. The guide adjusts the lesson to the group, and all ages work at their own pace.

What's included in the calligraphy lesson price?

All calligraphy supplies are included: brushes, ink, paper, and the autograph board for your finished work. You don't need to bring anything but yourself.

Where is the calligraphy class located in Tokyo?

The studio is a five-minute walk from Iriya Station, close to the Asakusa and Ueno neighborhoods, so it's easy to reach by public transportation.