Kintsugi Experience in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo | Restore a Vessel with the "Okunodoi Method" Supervised by Taku Nakano

"Taku Nakano CeramicArts☆" in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo

At "Taku Nakano CeramicArts☆ (TNCA☆)" in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, you can join a workshop that introduces the philosophy and techniques of kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art form.

The workshop is supervised by Taku Nakano, a ceramic artist and kintsugi master. Rather than hiding the damage on a broken vessel, kintsugi transforms cracks and chips into new beauty—and here, you'll experience that world hands-on.

You can choose a piece from antique vessels dating from the late Edo to Meiji periods, and take your finished work home the same day. Lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, it's a cultural experience that fits easily into a day of sightseeing around Omotesando.

Kintsugi: Turning Traces of Breakage into New Beauty

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art of mending broken or chipped vessels, where the repaired seams themselves become a new kind of beauty to be appreciated.

At the heart of this experience is Taku Nakano's guiding philosophy: "Stronger and more beautiful than before it broke."

Rather than erasing the damage, this approach embraces the time a vessel has lived through and transforms it into new value.

What makes this workshop especially compelling is that it's not just about learning a repair technique—it's about experiencing the deeper idea of "renewal" that lies at the heart of kintsugi.

Supervised by Ceramic Artist and Kintsugi Master Taku Nakano

The workshop is supervised by Taku Nakano, one of Japan's leading ceramic artists and kintsugi masters.

Through his unique artistic practice, he has long been engaged in social contribution activities, and in April 2024 he was awarded the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon in recognition of his achievements.

His works are displayed throughout the studio, creating a distinctive space that feels like a fusion of museum and atelier.

It's neither a gallery for viewing art alone nor a classroom for practical work alone—here, you can experience both the techniques of kintsugi and the aesthetic sensibility behind them.

The "Okunodoi Method": Easy Even for Beginners

The experience follows the process laid out in Taku Nakano's own systematized approach, known as the "Okunodoi Method."

It's designed so that even complete beginners can achieve a beautiful finish, working step by step while listening to the instructor's guidance.

For this workshop, resin and decorative gold powder are used so that participants can complete their piece within a single session.

Even if it's your first time trying kintsugi, you'll get to experience firsthand the handling of materials and the delicate work of refining lines—things you simply can't understand just by watching.

Focused, Hands-On Time Spent with Your Vessel

The appeal of kintsugi isn't limited to the finished piece.

The time spent carefully observing the cracks and chips, gradually shaping and adjusting them by hand, is just as important a part of the experience.

As you focus on the delicate work in front of you, you'll find yourself drifting away from the bustle of sightseeing in Tokyo and into a quiet, focused moment spent entirely with your vessel.

The Most Memorable Moment: Applying the Gold Finish

One of the most memorable parts of the experience is the final step of applying the gold finish.

The seams you've been repairing suddenly come to life, and the once-broken vessel transforms into a finished work of art.

This is often the moment that draws the biggest reaction from participants, many of whom feel, "I can't believe it turned out this beautiful, and this was my first time."

Rather than hiding the damaged area, it becomes the very part that shines the most.

It's a step where you can truly see—and feel—the essence of kintsugi as a cultural art form.

Your One-of-a-Kind Kintsugi Piece Is Complete

After about 1 hour 30 minutes of work, your own unique kintsugi piece is complete.

Even when the same type of vessel is used, the way it breaks and the way it's finished means every completed piece looks different.

Your work is finished and ready to take home the same day. Rather than a souvenir bought on your travels, it becomes something truly special: "something I made myself in Tokyo"—and that's what makes this experience so unique.

Frequently Asked Questions Before Booking

Q. Can beginners join? A. Yes. This experience welcomes people trying kintsugi for the first time. Participants range from children to adults, and from complete beginners to experienced hands, all supported by the instructor throughout the process.

Q. Do I need to bring anything? A. No special items are required. You can join empty-handed. All the tools and materials needed for kintsugi are provided by the studio.

Q. Is there anything I should be careful about regarding clothing? A. Since lacquer is used, it's best to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Work aprons (samue) are also available at the studio.

Q. Can I take my finished piece home? A. Yes. All pieces are completed on the same day and can be taken home right away. A dedicated protective box is also provided so you can carry it safely, even while traveling.

Q. What materials are used? A. Depending on the course, there are two options: an authentic kintsugi experience using natural lacquer and gold powder, and a decorative-style kintsugi experience using chemical adhesive and substitute gold powder for a quicker finish.

Q. How long does the experience take? A. The standard experience lasts about 90 minutes. For private lessons, the timing can be adjusted flexibly depending on how the work progresses.

Q. Is English support available? A. Yes. The workshop is available in both Japanese and English.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Start time on your chosen date
• Duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes
• Availability in English and Japanese
• How the vessel used in the experience is chosen
• Conditions for bringing your own vessel
• That the experience uses resin and decorative gold powder
• How to take your finished piece home
• Meeting location on the day
• Cancellation and change policies
• The latest pricing and availability

Prices, schedules, and plan details are subject to change, so please check the latest information before booking.

In Summary

The kintsugi experience at "Taku Nakano CeramicArts☆" in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, is a workshop that lets you feel not just the technique of repairing a vessel, but the Japanese aesthetic sensibility behind it.

Following the method developed by ceramic artist and kintsugi master Taku Nakano, you'll choose a vessel, work step by step to address its cracks and chips, and finish with your own one-of-a-kind piece featuring golden seams.

Rather than concealing the marks of breakage, you'll leave them as a new form of beauty.

Through kintsugi, why not encounter the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi" while bringing home your memories of Tokyo as a tangible piece of art?