Crafts / Kintsugi / Kyoto

Kintsugi in Kyoto

Five workshops, from a 45-minute group class at about US$5 to a private session with a lacquer artist from ¥47,355. Two things separate them: the lacquer they use, and how much of the teacher's time you get.

Prices checked 10 Nov 2026, in the currency each site showed; Wabunka prices are in yen, the currency it charges in · Some links may earn us a commission

Some booking links may pay us a commission. You pay the same price either way. Details.

The short version

If you have an hour En Kintsugi The most-reviewed class of the five. One hour, near Gion, and you leave with the piece. US$20.75 · Klook If you want a small class Ajiki-roji studio Four people at most and two and a half hours, for about a third of the private price. €96 · GetYourGuide If you want real urushi Shikata Urushi A private session run by a lacquer shop that has traded in Kyoto since 1867. From ¥29,700 · Wabunka

Side by side

Cheapest on the left, as listed. Scroll sideways on a phone.
Group classZen Kyoto Annex
Group classEn Kintsugi
Small groupAjiki-roji studio
PrivateShikata Urushi
PrivateAtelier Hifumi
Price per person
US$5.35 (listed as 50% off)
US$20.75 (listed as 50% off)
€96
From ¥29,700
From ¥47,355
Length
45 minutes to 1 hour
1 hour
2.5 hours
2.5 hours
2 hours
Group size
Shared class
Shared class
Up to 4 people
Your party only, 1 to 14
Your party only, 1 to 4
Where
Nakagyo Ward, central Kyoto
Shimogyo Ward, near Gion and Kawaramachi
Ajiki-roji alley, Higashiyama
Near Shijo-Kawaramachi
A 1925 villa in Higashiyama
Lacquer, as listed
Klook says "real urushi". GetYourGuide lists the same studio as using quick materials made for a one-hour class.
"Lacquer and gold powder". Type not stated.
"Lacquer and gold". Type not stated.
Natural Japanese urushi
Urushi, with some modern techniques. Brass powder; gold costs extra.
You take home
Your piece, same day
Your piece, same day
Your piece, same day
Your piece. Timing not stated.
Your piece in a box, same day
Safe to eat from
No. Display only, according to the studio's GetYourGuide listing.
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
English
English-speaking staff
English-speaking staff
Listed as English. Reviewers say the teacher uses a pocket translator.
English-speaking guide included
English-speaking host
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours before
Up to 24 hours before
Up to 24 hours before
Up to 8 days before
Up to 11 days before
Reviews
5.0 from 412 on Klook. 4.8 from 1,474 on GetYourGuide.
4.9 from 1,451 on Klook.
5.0 from 15 on GetYourGuide.
59 on Wabunka. No star score shown.
About 5 on Wabunka. No star score shown.
Book
See on Klook
See on Klook
See on GetYourGuide
See on Wabunka
See on Wabunka

Before you book

The lacquer is the big difference. Traditional kintsugi uses urushi, a lacquer made from tree sap. Each layer cures over days, so a full repair takes weeks. Short classes use a faster-setting substitute, or cover only the final steps.

Ask about food safety. Pieces repaired with synthetic materials are often for display only. Most of these listings don't say either way, so check before you eat from one.

Urushi can irritate skin. It contains the same compound as poison ivy and some people get a rash. Studios provide gloves. Mention any allergy when you book.

The cheap prices are sale prices. Both Klook classes were listed at 50% off when we checked. Some plates and bowls cost extra on the day.

Want more than an afternoon? POJ Studio in Kyoto runs multi-class packages and a two-month apprentice program. We haven't priced those yet.

The five workshops

No. 001-1Group class

Zen Kyoto Annex

45 minutes to 1 hour · Shared class · Nakagyo Ward · Listed on Klook as "Kintsugi Workshop in Gion"

The cheapest and shortest of the five. You pick a pre-broken plate, piece it back together and finish the seams in gold on the sixth floor of a building in central Kyoto. The Klook listing says real urushi. The same studio on GetYourGuide says it uses materials made for a one-hour class and that the plate is for display only. Go by the second description.

Reviewers liked: Patient, English-speaking guides who explain each step and some of the history. Families say children enjoyed it.

Reviewers didn't: Several groups share the room, so it can be noisy. One reviewer felt rushed and suggests allowing 90 minutes. Nicer plates cost extra.

Summarized from reviews on Klook (5.0 from 412) and GetYourGuide (4.8 from 1,474), where the same class costs about €7.

Pick it if you want the quickest, cheapest taste of kintsugi.

Skip it if you want a quiet room, an unhurried pace, or a piece you can eat from. The studio's own GetYourGuide listing says display only.

US$5.35 per person · listed as 50% off · checked 10 Nov 2026 See on Klook
No. 001-2Group class

En Kintsugi & Craft Workshop

1 hour · Shared class · Near Gion and Kawaramachi · No age limit

The most-reviewed kintsugi class we found in Kyoto. It runs hourly from 10:00 to 18:00 on the fourth floor of a building in Shimogyo Ward. Some plates are included in the price and others cost extra.

Reviewers liked: Friendly instructors with good English who cover the history as well as the steps. A small plate is included, and you get to break it yourself.

Reviewers didn't: Little criticism in the reviews we read. Opinions split on how easy the building is to find. Larger plates and bowls cost extra.

Summarized from reviews on Klook, where it is rated 4.9 from 1,451.

Pick it if you want a short class that a lot of people have vouched for.

Skip it if you need to know the lacquer is true urushi, which the listing doesn't say, or you want a larger plate or bowl without paying extra.

US$20.75 per person · listed as 50% off · checked 10 Nov 2026 See on Klook
A woman applies lacquer to a small ceramic piece at a long wooden table in a bright studio Photo: GetYourGuide
No. 001-3Small group

Ajiki-roji studio

2.5 hours · Up to 4 people · Higashiyama · Listed as "Kintsugi in Kyoto: The Art of Golden Repair"

An afternoon class in a working craft studio on Ajiki-roji, a small alley of artisan workshops. The teacher, Tomoko, takes you through a repair step by step, with Uji tea and sweets along the way. The listing warns it is not suitable for people with respiratory issues.

Reviewers liked: Patient, clear teaching from Tomoko. A quiet studio and a small group.

Reviewers didn't: One reviewer found the studio hard to find. Instructions come through a pocket translator.

Rated 5.0 from 15 reviews on GetYourGuide. Value for money scored 4.6.

Pick it if you want a slower afternoon in a small group and don't need fluent English.

Skip it if you want to talk freely with the teacher in English, or you have respiratory problems, which the listing warns against.

€96 per person · checked 10 Nov 2026 See on GetYourGuide
Three ceramic plates repaired with gold lines, on a wooden table Photo: Wabunka
No. 001-4Private

Shikata Urushi

2.5 hours · Private, 1 to 14 people · Near Shijo-Kawaramachi · English-speaking guide

A private session run by a urushi shop in business since 1867, held in a studio a short walk from the shop. It includes a talk from a lacquer specialist and uses natural Japanese urushi, so gloves are required. Kiyomizu ware and gold or silver powder cost extra.

Reviewers liked: Patient, clear instruction, and interpreters who make the detail easy to follow.

Reviewers didn't: No recurring complaint in the reviews we read. Upgrades add to the price.

From 59 reviews on Wabunka. No star score shown.

Pick it if you want real urushi taught by lacquer specialists, or you have a larger party.

Skip it if you are watching the budget. The price is from ¥29,700 per person, and Kiyomizu ware and gold or silver powder cost extra.

From ¥29,700 per person · checked 10 Nov 2026 See on Wabunka
Ceramic bowls and plates repaired with gold seams, arranged on a wooden table Photo: Wabunka
No. 001-5Private

Atelier Hifumi

2 hours · Private, 1 to 4 people · Higashiyama · English-speaking host

A private session with lacquer artist Mio Heki in a 1925 villa in Higashiyama. Full traditional kintsugi takes days, so this covers the main steps using urushi and some modern techniques. Brass powder is standard and real gold costs extra.

Reviewers liked: The host's knowledge and the setting.

Reviewers didn't: No recurring complaint, but there are only about five reviews so far.

From about 5 reviews on Wabunka. No star score shown.

Pick it if you want one-on-one time with a working lacquer artist.

Skip it if you want real gold included in the price, or a workshop with a long record of reviews. Brass powder is standard and there are only about five reviews so far.

From ¥47,355 per person · checked 10 Nov 2026 See on Wabunka