Edo Kiriko Glass-Cutting Experience at Soukichi in Asakusa | Choose Your Own Design from 100+ Patterns

What Is This Experience? Edo Kiriko Glass-Making in Asakusa

The Edo Kiriko glass-making experience at Soukichi in Asakusa is a hands-on workshop where you can learn about this traditional craft, which has been practiced since the Edo period. Meet on-site, with guidance available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Prices start from ¥4,628 for adults and ¥3,647 for children. The experience has a rating of 4.9 (189 reviews) and has been booked over 4,000 times. Being within walking distance of Asakusa Station makes it easy to combine with sightseeing around Senso-ji Temple.

The shop itself is a specialty glassware store, packed with shakers, wine glasses, and Kiriko cut glass. Even browsing the shop before or after the experience gives you a sense of the depth of this glass-making world.

First, Choose Your Glass from a Wide Range of Colors and Shapes

The experience begins with choosing the glass you'll carve. At Soukichi, a glass factory, you can select from a rich variety of colors and shapes to suit your taste.

Red, blue, purple, green, and clear glasses are lined up on the table in an array of colors. Since colored glass reveals the carved areas in white, your color choice greatly affects the final look.

Finished Kiriko glasses are also on display in the shop, so you can take a close look at the delicate cuts made by skilled artisans before choosing your own.

Choose from Over 100 Patterns and Sketch a Guide

Soukichi's Kiriko workshop offers more than 100 original patterns designed to be easy for beginners to carve. You'll choose a pattern for the side of the glass and another for the base, each from a set of samples.

Once you've chosen your patterns, you'll use a template to draw guidelines on the glass with a pen. Having this sketch means you won't have to guess where to carve as you work.

Patterns range from geometric designs like the shippo-tsunagi (interlocking circles) motif to those inspired by flowers and leaves. Browsing Soukichi's pattern samples ahead of your visit can help you decide more quickly on the day.

Practice First, Then the Real Thing—Cutting with a Spinning Grindstone

Before you start carving, you'll receive a lecture and practice session on Kiriko cutting techniques. Rather than diving straight into carving the actual glass, this practice time lets you get comfortable with the process first.

The carving itself is done by holding the glass against a spinning grindstone. Staff will guide you closely, watching your hand position and technique, so people of all levels—beginners, children, and adults alike—can proceed at their own pace.

Participants have shared comments like, "I loved being able to focus fully on the cutting process." The feeling of each line emerging in white, one stroke at a time, is something unique to this experience.

Once Finished, Head to the Photo Spot—Then Box It Up and Take It Home

Once your glass is carved, it's boxed up on the spot for you to take home right away. No waiting for drying or later shipping, making it easy to fit into your travel schedule.

The shop has a dedicated photo corner where you can capture your glass using your own smartphone or camera. When lit up, the carved patterns catch the light and shimmer, casting patterned shadows onto the table. According to the operators, this photo moment tends to draw the biggest reaction from participants during the whole experience.

Your finished glass comes home in a Soukichi-branded paper bag and a black presentation box—perfect as a keepsake for yourself or as a gift.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Participants must be 9 years old or older
• Advance notice is required if bringing a child along
• The 5:00 PM start class costs an additional ¥550
• Your preferred start time and availability
• The language of guidance to select when booking (English, Chinese, or Japanese)
• The location and access details for the meeting point
• Have an idea of the pattern you'd like to carve beforehand
• Participation is not allowed while intoxicated
• Cancellation and change policies
• The latest pricing and plan details

Since the work requires concentration, advance consultation is needed if bringing along small children. The process itself carries no particular risk, and you can take your glass home the same day.

Summary

The Edo Kiriko glass-making experience at Soukichi in Asakusa is a hands-on workshop where you can experience this traditional craft dating back to the Edo period. Choose your favorite glass from a wide selection, decide on side and base patterns from over 100 original designs, and carve it yourself after some practice.

With sketching templates and staff guidance, it's easy to create something beautiful even as a first-timer. Once finished, you can take photos at the lit photo corner, then box up your glass and take it home right away.

Prices start from ¥4,628 for adults and ¥3,647 for children, with a rating of 4.9 (189 reviews). Thanks to its location within walking distance of Asakusa Station, it's easy to fit into your sightseeing itinerary—check the booking page for available times and the latest plan details.