10 Classes & Workshops in Shimogyo-ku That You Shouldn't Miss

May 19, 2021 Harland Bartelt

The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Tea Ceremony Juan

709 Higashishiokojicho, Karasumadori Shichijo-Sagaru, Shimogyo-Ku Jotokuji, Kyoto 600-8119 Kyoto Prefecture +81 90-1138-4480 [email protected] http://www.teaceremonyjuan.com/
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5.0 based on 675 reviews

Tea Ceremony Juan

The Tea Ceremony Juan is a genuine and truly authentic Japanese Tea Room located inside the grounds of the Jotokuji temple. Monks who visited China to learn Buddhism discovered tea and they brought back tea seed to Japan and started to grow tea plants. Tea drinking became popular and out of this habit the practice of the Japanese Tea Ceremony evolved. There is nothing else available in Kyoto other than a few other Tea Rooms which are set in the grounds of Temples and Shrines and are, for obvious reasons, closed to the general public from Japan and overseas, other than on very special and rare occasions.If you are looking to experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony in its true spirit then there is nothing else better in Kyoto than the Tea Ceremony Juan located in the grounds of the Jotokuji temple.

Reviewed By RosieC240 - Melbourne, Australia

My partner and I went to this and really enjoyed it. Host was very friendly and informative. Ready to answer any questions. The process itself was incredible, each movement so specific and detailed. A beautiful art. Highly recommend it :)

2. Cooking Sun

679 Funayacho Higashi Nakasuji Matsubara Agaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8466 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-746-5094 [email protected] http://www.cooking-sun.com/
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5.0 based on 495 reviews

Cooking Sun

Morning Bento Class (9:30-12:20) and Afternoon Izakayta Class (14:00-17:00). Easy access from central Kyoto, Shijo or Karasuma station. Friendly, English fluent local Japanese ladies welcome you in half a day Japanese cooking class. Beautiful machiya traditional townhouse is also something you can definitely enjoy during your visit.

Reviewed By clubsandwich

We did the Nishiki Market tour and Cooking Class. The hosts were excellent and friendly, able to answer all sorts of questions during the market tour, which felt relaxing and not rushed. The cooking class itself was also very simple and casual, and a great introduction to the preparation and use of ‘dashi’ as the base of a lot of Japanese cuisine. For occasional cooks it is a lovely way to broaden the repertoire. Recommended.

3. Sumaya Cooking Class

284 Ogisakayacho, Higashinotoindori-Ayanokoji-Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8095 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-351-9915 [email protected]
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Sumaya Cooking Class

Welcome to all beginners! Enjoy Japanese home cooking! You can learn about Japanese home cooking. Here you will learn about the core of “Washoku”(Japanese cuisine): How to cook a tasty Sukiyaki? What is the charm of Japanese tea (matcha) ceremony? Enjoy the lesson in a small group. Our recipes are very easy that even beginners can cook at their home. Let’s learn how to cook Japanese home dish and hold a party back to your country.

4. Wadish Kyoto

114-2 Nakaicho, Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto 600-8219 Kyoto Prefecture +81 90-2592-1565 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/wadishkyoto/
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Wadish Kyoto

Sushi making and sake tasting in Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan!A unique experience which will make your trip to Japan special!We founded “Wadish” in Kyoto to introduce Japanese culture and customs through teaching the nature of Japanese cuisine and sake (Japanese rice wine). Our class sizes are limited to no more than 10 participants to ensure an intimate learning experience. Enjoy!

5. Taiko Center Kyoto Studio

113-4 Takatsujiomiyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8387 Kyoto Prefecture +81 120-923-915 [email protected] http://www.taiko-center.co.jp/
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5.0 based on 196 reviews

Taiko Center Kyoto Studio

Taiko Center offer an hour long taiko drumming class to tourists from all over the world! Taiko is a Japanese traditional drum that is often performed at festivals and ceremonies. It's loud, it's powerful, it's SUPER fun! No experience or Japanese language needed! We offer an opportunity for you to experience the local culture in first hand. Come empty handed and you will leave with an unforgettable memory! Our group lesson for foreign tourists are offered at various times on weekdays. Please check our booking page for more information and to make a reservation.

Reviewed By DLBexplores

This, hands down, was my favorite experience on our trip to Tokyo/Kyoto. I had emailed ahead of time to try to book a class. All of them were full, so I asked if I could be added to one or just go in and watch a class. The folks at the Kyoto studio were kind enough to open up a new class for me and my husband. Taiko drumming turns out to be a mix of all the things I love. It is musical and physical. The instructor, Kaede Bande, was amazing. She is a talented drummer and teacher: funny, energetic and patient. If you take one of these classes be prepared to laugh and sweat! What could be better? If you have a chance to take this class, do it!!! Loved it!

6. Ninja Dojo and Store

528 Hakurakutencho, Shimogyo-Ku 2f, Kyoto 600-8422 Kyoto Prefecture +81 70-2289-2228 [email protected] http://ninjadojoandstore.com
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5.0 based on 641 reviews

Ninja Dojo and Store

Ninja hands-on training in english and ninja items store in down town Kyoto. Original and unique training which ninja actually used to train in the distant past. You can learn ninja arts, techniques, wisdom, spirits and survival skill. Experience authentic, traditional, historical, educational and cultural ninja training with ninja clothes, ninja meditation, ninja walking ,shuriken(ninja stars), ninja sword, kunai(dagger) and other ninja weapons. We provide two level of lessons. Entry level (1-hour lesson / 8,500 JPY per person) is basic ninja training. Elementary level (2-hour lesson / 12,500 JPY per person) is based on the entry level lesson and additional 5 more techniques. Ninja training is good for Group, Couple, Solo, Kids, Family, Activity, Martial arts, Workout, Exercise, City, Indoor, Rain and All seasons. At the store like a museum there are various ninja arms, tools, clothes and items that you couldn't find at other places. Feel the ninja spirit!

Reviewed By MaryH804

This was recommended by our travel company and I am so glad we booked it. It was an awesome experience for our family of 5. Kids ages 5, 8 and 11 all loved it. From the ninja outfits, the excellent instructor ( a woman- love my daughters and son getting great female role models) through a nice variety of information about ninjas from weapons and stealth walking, the hand movements regarding strength and the willingness to take as many photos as we wanted. It didn’t feel rushed or touristy at all. It was such a nice change from temples and shopping. Thank you for a great memory. The only negative- not having a T-shirt in my sons size!!

7. Flower Design Works il Fiore Kyoto

389-1 Higashi Nakasujidori Nanajo Agaru, Shimogyo-ku Passione Kyoto, Kyoto 600-8222 Kyoto Prefecture +81 90-5136-5208 [email protected] http://il-fiore.cc/
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Flower Design Works il Fiore Kyoto

"Il Fiore Kyoto" offers a lesson to make a flower arrangement at Kyoto's traditional house called Kyo-machiya near the Kyoto station. The flower arrangement is not "Ikebana", but a Japanese-style arrangement with preserved-flower. So you can take your work out. PRICE: ¥3,000 per person (60 minutes) Reservation required by 8 days before the lesson day (check the WEB)

8. Onishi Tsune Shoten

23 Matsubaradori Takakura Nishiiri Hontorocho, Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto 600-8086 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-351-1156 [email protected] http://www.ohnishitune.com/
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Onishi Tsune Shoten

In the heart of Kyoto, located near the central city area of Shijo Karasuma, one can encounter many Kyo-Machiya, or traditional wooden townhouses. You can feel how the people of Kyoto lived their lives 150 years ago when you pass through the exquisitely arranged folding fans and feel speechless by the lustrous golden walls of a teahouse created by miyadaiku—expert carpenters who handle historical Japanese structures and specialize in restoring shrines and temples. We are holding a cultural experience for the enjoyment of each individual person, which includes tōsenkyō (traditional Japanese game of tossing fans), sensu-etsuke (traditional fan paintings), and chadō (traditional Japanese tea ceremony). As a traditional Japanese establishment that has been passed down in the hands of many generations, we have the responsibility to not only manufacture and market these conventional values, but we find gratification in looking deeply into the long-established Japanese culture and in the people who are interesting in learning more about the many great and historical aspects of our culture.

9. Takezasado

737 Shinkamanzacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8471 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-353-8585 [email protected] http://www.takezasa.co.jp/index.html
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Takezasado

Takezasado is a woodblock printing workshop and a gallery shop in Kyoto since 1891. You can see and touch our original products, woodblock prints, Ukiyo-e, and woodblock print’s technical materials and tools. Besides, we provide some special workshops at our studio like Experience Workshop of woodblock prints and Demonstration of Hokusai's Ukiyo-e printing processes.

10. Kyoto Concierge Salon

384 Mongakucho, Shimogyo-ku Shichijo Higashinakasujidori, Kyoto 600-8222 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-354-5261 [email protected] http://concierge-salon.com
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5.0 based on 57 reviews

Kyoto Concierge Salon

The Kyoto Concierge Salon is a place where you can experience Japanese traditional culture. We provide the rental kimono service, tea ceremony experience, and guided tours, etc. We also organize parties where locals and tourists can interact, so please call us to find out what we have scheduled for the week. Our salon is a renovated 300 years old samurai residence, so you can simply come to our cafe&bar to enjoy some tea or coffee and take photos of our wonderful facilities!

Reviewed By X2745PObenc - Ilkeston, United Kingdom

Can’t say enough good things about the tea ceremony and kimono rental that we did with these guys yesterday - didn’t really know what I was letting myself in for! If you want a real taste of Japan when you come to Kyoto go straight here. The service is fantastic and they are so friendly and welcoming it just makes you want to go back - particularly the tea ceremony, brilliant!

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