Chopstick Making in Tokyo | Choose Your Studio in Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya or Asakusa

Make Your Own Chopsticks in Four Tokyo Neighbourhoods

Pick a piece of wood, shape it with a hand plane and finish it by feel. This roughly one-hour chopstick-making workshop runs in four Tokyo neighbourhoods: Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya and Asakusa.

Staff guide you through each step in English or Japanese, sharing insights into Japan's chopstick culture as you work.

As well as choosing your studio, you can pick a plan based on the wood you want and whether you'd like your name engraved. Your finished chopsticks are wrapped for you to take home, so they make a great keepsake or gift. Long after your trip, you'll still be using the pair you made in Tokyo at your own dinner table.

First, Choose Your Studio and Plan

There are studios in four areas: Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya and Asakusa. Pick one based on where you're heading before or after the workshop, or what's easiest to reach from your hotel.

Shinjuku: Ideal if you want to combine it with shopping or dining in Shinjuku Ginza: Ideal if you're spending time around Ginza or Yurakucho Shibuya: Ideal if you want to explore and shop around Shibuya Asakusa: Ideal if you're sightseeing around Senso-ji Temple

Once you've chosen a studio, compare the two plans below based on the wood you'd like and whether you want name engraving.

■ Standard Plan | Make chopsticks with standard wood Choose from the standard woods included in the base price and craft your chopsticks. Upgrading to premium wood or adding name engraving is available for an extra fee. Ideal if you simply want to try chopstick making, or prefer to see the samples on the day before deciding on wood and engraving.

■ All-Inclusive | Premium wood and name engraving included This plan includes your choice of eligible premium woods plus name engraving. Ideal if you care about wood colour and grain, or want to create a personalised gift.

Both plans let you enjoy the full process of choosing, planing and finishing your wood.

On the booking page, standard plans are listed as, for example, "Store location: Shinjuku", while all-inclusive plans appear as "Shinjuku All-Inclusive" and so on. Check your preferred studio and which woods and engraving are included before booking.

When You Arrive, Choose Your Wood

Your first task is picking your wood. Browse the information cards and finished sample chopsticks to compare different colours and grains.

On the standard plan, you can choose from the standard woods included in the base price. If a premium wood catches your eye, you can upgrade for an extra fee.

With the all-inclusive plan, eligible premium woods are included. Think about the favourite colours of the person you're gifting to, or picture how they'll look on your table at home, as you choose the wood for your pair.

Next, Shape the Wood with a Hand Plane

Once you've picked your wood, it's set into a special board and shaped with a kanna, a traditional Japanese hand plane. Staff show you how to handle and move the tool as you go.

With each stroke, thin shavings curl up out of the plane. Little by little, the wood slims down and starts to take the shape of a chopstick.

If you're joining with family or friends, compare your progress. Even using the same technique, each wood reveals its own colour and grain.

Once Shaped, Smooth and Finish

After shaping your chopsticks, you'll smooth the surface. Following the staff's guidance, refine every detail and check how they feel in your hand.

Holding chopsticks you've carved yourself feels different from working on them. Check the tips and grip as you put on the finishing touches.

Finally, Add a Name If You Like and Take Them Home

You can have a name engraved on your finished chopsticks. It's an extra fee on the standard plan and included in the all-inclusive plan.

Add your own name, or engrave someone else's to turn your chopsticks into a handmade gift. Ask the staff about the characters and spelling you'd like.

Your finished chopsticks are wrapped for you to take home. Every time you use them, you'll remember choosing the wood and shaping it with the plane.

FAQ

■ Can I join if I've never done woodworking before? Yes. Staff guide you on how to use the tools and how to proceed. You'll be supported every step of the way, from choosing your wood to the final finish.

■ How long does it take, and what languages are available? The workshop takes about one hour and is offered in English and Japanese.

■ Do I need to bring any tools? All tools and materials are provided.

■ What's the difference between the standard and all-inclusive plans? The main difference is the wood and engraving included in the price. The standard plan uses standard wood, with premium wood and name engraving available for an extra fee. The all-inclusive plan includes eligible premium woods and name engraving.

■ Can I have a name engraved? Yes. It's available for an extra fee on the standard plan and included in the all-inclusive plan. Please check your chosen plan's details for which characters and spellings can be engraved.

■ Can I have a name engraved? Yes. It's available for an extra fee on the standard plan and included in the all-inclusive plan. Please check your chosen plan's details for which characters and spellings can be engraved.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Your studio and whether you want the standard or all-inclusive plan
• Start time, meeting point and access
• Eligible woods and which characters can be engraved
• Requirements for children and the cancellation policy

Prices, times and plan details may change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

A day of shopping in Shinjuku, dinner in Ginza, or wandering Shibuya or Asakusa: pick the studio that suits your itinerary and join a one-hour chopstick-making workshop.

Will you enjoy crafting with standard wood, or go all out with premium wood and name engraving? Choose the plan that suits the pair you want to make.

What will you eat with these chopsticks once you're home? Why not make a souvenir you'll actually use, crafted with your own hands?

Book via Tokyo: Chopstick Making Workshop & Japanese Culture Experience.