Tourism mostly makes up the large base of Kyoto’s industry. The area’s large cultural heritages consistently attract tourists and school groups from Japan. There are also many foreigners who make their stop in Kyoto. The city government recently announced of the record number of guests, tourists, and visitors in Kyoto. If you’re looking for activities to enjoy, here’s a list you can check out.
1. Learn to make butter at Tango Jersey ranch milk
If making butter is an experience you’re looking into, this shop of dairy products provides an experience to freshly squeeze some fresh milk in the morning. You’ll learn how to make butter, without much of the whipped cream. The butter from fresh milk is characterized by the extremely rich taste of the milk.
Information
- Local Name: Tango Jersey Ranch Milk Workshop
- Hours: 10am to 5pm
- Phone: 0772-83-1617
- Fee: 520 yen
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Address: Kyoto FuKyo Tango City Kumihama
- Access: from the Toyooka Station then getting off at Kozan Station, just a 15-minute walk
- Website: http://tango-jersey.co.jp/tuor/
2. Know how to formulate Shichimi
It is one of the traditional craft experience in classes in Kyoto. This is the Shichimi formulation. The Shichimi of Kyoto actually features the pepper scent, which you don’t know is Japan’s 3 major Shichimi. In this place, you can learn Shichimi that fits your own preferences. You can customize it to your liking and include spicy and flavor.
Information
- Local name: Experience workshop EN house (Tsuburaya)
- Address: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Sakyo-Ku Shogoin’entomi-Cho, 17
- Access: 10 minutes walk from Keihan Jingu Marutamachi Station
- Fee: 1,950 yen
- Duration: about 40 minutes
- Hours: 10:30, 2pm, 3pm, 4:30
- Phone: 075-761-0142
- Website: http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com/experience/
3. Know and create Soba at Kiyomizutei
For some freshly ground and freshly boiled experience creating buckwheat fresh noodles, you can do that here. The Soba experience of Kiyomizutei is an experience where you grind buckwheat flour. The taste is so exceptional for regular buckwheat noodles that come from buckwheat authentic Hokkaido. The usual condiments are fresh wasabi.
Information
- Local Name: Kiyomizutei
- Hours: 10:30am, 12nn, 1:30pm
- Phone: 075-744-6771
- Fee: 2,900 yen
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Address: Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto Shimizu Chome 257-17
- Access: 5-minute walk from Michi Shimizu bus stop
- Website: http://taiken-jp.net/kiyomizu/
4. Make the original Ponzu Vinegar of Kotaro
Kyoto has long-established vinegar stores. So, why not learn to make one of the popular ponzu sauce on the planet. The chemical seasoning and the vinegar feature secret preservatives, unlike other vinegar. Choose one of your favorite fruit juices from 3 kinds of their fruit juices. You can then start making the mixture using the juices accordingly.
Information
- Local Name: Kotaro of vinegar
- Fee: 1 1,080 yen
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Class: up to 5 people
- Address: Kyohei Fujisawa Shinmachidori east Nyuru Michimasa 455
- Access: 10 minutes walk from Karasuma line Imadegawa Exit 2 Station
- Hours: 10am, 12nn, 2pm
- Closed: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday and Sunday, including holidays
- Phone: 075-451-2071
- Website: http://koutarou-su.com/
5. Join the Bread Making Miso at Township of Himuro
Miso plays an essential part of authentic Japanese cuisine and dishes. It regularly appears in most glazes, sauces, marinades and even dressings. It is comprised of soybeans that have been fermented with koji. It is actually fermented rice, but sometimes it can also use wheat. There is also salt. The miso usually provides rich flavors to recipes.
Information
- Local Name: Himuro Township
- Address: Kyoto Prefecture “Nantan” Yagi -Cho, 21-1
- Access: 10 minutes from JR Sagano Line Yagi Station
- Phone: 0771-43-1128
- Website: http://himuronosato.jp/
- Hours: 10am to 5pm
- Open: Weekdays
6. Learn to make Mitarashi Dumpling
Learn to create the Mitarashi Dumpling from the original dough. It is then baked and can taste very well with some caramel sauce. Of course, you should also eat the snack after it has been freshly created. You will immediately notice the exceptional aroma. It is said that it is dedicated to the Shimogamo Shrine.
Information
- Name: Mitarashi Dumpling
- Address: Kyoto, Ukyo-Ku, Nishikyogokunishikoromode Cho 36
- Access: Walking distance from the city bus stop of Nishikyogokuumazuka Cho
- Fee: 1,200 yen
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Hours: 10am to 12pm
- Closed: December 26 to 31, Holidays
- Phone number: 075-313-2151
- Website: http://sisyu.yatuhasian.jp/exp/
7. Join Bran Pickles Class at Satoshi Kawakatsu Honke
A well-known Kyoto tradition Kyotsukemono, in Satoshi Kawakatsu Honke, you can learn how to make bran pickles from professionals with years of experience. The store tours and class also include tasting of pickles. You can also take home some packed pickles. You should try to make reservations beforehand or make appointments.
Information
- Local Name: Satoshi Kawakatsu Honke
- Address: Kyoto Shimogyo Omiyadori Gojo Agaru above Gojo-Cho 394
- Access: 8 minutes walk from Hankyu Omiya Station, Keifuku Shijo-Omiya Station
- Fee: 2,000 yen
- Duration: 1 hour
- Hours: 10:00am to 2pm
- Open: Weekdays
- Phone number: 0120-0131-62
- Website: http://www.kawakatu.com/info.html
8. Go to the Otabe Making Experience Dojo
This experience includes a tour of the popular product “Otabe” as well as making the product Otabe. Of course, nothing will beat the experience of tasting and eating the food. You’ll see the place on how to make the dough with the rice flour. You will then experience creating the triangles, a familiar sight that is wrapped with red bean paste.
Information
- Local Name: Otabe Experience Dojo
- Address: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Minami-Ku, Nishikujotakahata Cho 35-2
- Access: 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Kyoto Line
- Hours: 9:00 to 18:00
- Closed: Open all year
- Phone number: 0120828439
- Fee: 600 yen
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Official site URL: http://otabe.dt-r.com/
9. Learn the Japanese Sweets Making at Shichijo Amaharudo
It is located and near the popular tourist attraction of Higashiyama Sanjusangendo. This Japanese Sweets Making is a great handmade experience for everyone. You’ll see the sweets shop which has a long history of Keio from its very first year of establishment. You can also bring some sweet souvenirs from the shop.
Information
- Local Name: Shichijo Amaharudo
- Address: Kyoto Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto Shichijodori Honmachihigashi
- Access: 5 minutes walk from the Keihan train or Shichijo Station
- Closed: December 25 to January 5
- Phone number: 075-541-3771
- Fee: 2,160 yen, for students – 1,700 yen
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Website: http://www.7jyo-kansyundo.co.jp/experience.html
10. Know Japanese Confectionery at Nerikiri Kameya “Yocho”
The history of this goes way back around 200 years. It is one Kyoto sweets creating an experience you shouldn’t miss of all the sweets shop you’re planning to visit. The beautiful confectionery making session can to be made along with a tea party. If this is your first time, you should go for the traditional Kyoto sweets recipe of “Nerikiri”.
Information
- Local Name: Kameya “Yocho”
- Address: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo-Ku Shijō Street Aburakoji Nishiiri Kashiwaya Cho 17-19
- Access: 5 minutes from Omiya Station
- Closed: Sundays, Festivals, and Holidays
- Phone number: 075-221-2005
- Fee: 2700 yen (general), ¥ 2160 for students
- Duration: 70 minutes
- Website: http://kameya-yoshinaga.com/
11. Make some Japanese Sweets at Amaharudo Kiyomizu-dera Arashiyama
This is a great Japanese sweets experience that comes a long way from the long-established Japanese confectionery store. It has another branch located in Higashiyama in Arashiyama. Even up to this day, you can participate in the creations by making a phone reservation around 2 hours before the start of the session.
Information
- Local Name: Amaharudo
- Address: Higashiyama-Ku through Kawabata east of Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Chayamachi 511-1
- Access: 10 minutes from Keihan Shichijo
- Closed: New Year’s Day
- Phone number: 075-561-1318
- Fee: ¥ 2,160, for students 1,620 yen
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Website: http://www.kanshundo.co.jp/museum/make/annai.htm
12. Taste the Tea Parfait with Green Tea at “Kyosuian”
This great shop is in the vicinity of the Kiyomizu Temple. It is an ice cream shop with a twist. In here, you can have a fun experience from the time of old-fashioned Kyomachiya. In particular, it is set in the famous and Kyoto original Tea Parfait building. In here, you can create your own tea parfait.
Information
- Local Name: Kyosuian
- Address: Kyoto Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto Gojo Higashioji east “Nyuru” 1-chome Shiraito-Cho 569-10
- Access: 5 minutes walk from Gojo Sakagami Ri
- Business hours: 9am to 5pm
- Holiday: December 31 and New Year
- Phone number: 075-551-1877
- Fee: 2,200 yen
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Website: http://kyosuian-taiken.sakura.ne.jp/
13. Learn the Tea Ceremony Experience (Kyoto sincerity)
This is a full-fledged tea house where you can have a great tea ceremony experience. You will learn how to use the tools of a great tea ceremony. Also, you will be able to taste some green tea, while you listen to the stories being told. You will learn the history of the tea ceremony.
Information
- Local Name: Kyoto sincerity
- Address: Kyoto Nakagyo -Ku, Ogawa through Oike Shitaru Tsuboya -Cho 457-2
- Access: 5 minutes walk from subway Tozai Line of Nijo Castle Station on Exit 2
- Hours: 10:00 to 17:00
- Closed: Sunday
- Phone number: 075-211-8003
- Fee: 2,500 yen
- Duration: 1 hour
- Website: http://www.kyo-gokoro.com/culture.html
14. Join Obanzai Making Experience at Exciting Mansion
Get to experience the Kyoto home cooking of Obanzai by Exciting Mansion. You’ll be able to use local vegetables and other organic food. There’s no other classroom experience than to join the Kyoto Obanzai. Of course, it is possible that you’ll be able to eat what you will learn to cook. It can be any recipe, even dinner, snack or lunch.
Information
- Local Name: Exciting Mansion
- Address: Nakagyo-Ku Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Takakura through the Le tower-Cho 761
- Access: 5-minute walk from Karasuma “Marutamachi” station
- Phone number: 075-212-9993
- Rates: 5,800 yen to 7,800 yen
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Hours: 11:00am to 4:30pm
- Website: http://wakjapan.com/ja/
15. Learn to make Tofu at Yatuhasian
Speaking of great Kyoto cuisine, you can try boiled tofu! I think learning how to make tofu is a great experience. In here, you can learn an actual tofu creation experience. That can make you happy since will make fresh tofu called “tofu Gozen”. The experience comes with a delicious lunch.
Information
- Local Name: Yatuhasian
- Address: Kyoto, Ukyo-Ku, Nishikyogokunishikoromode Cho 36
- Access: Walking distance from city bus Nishikyogokuumazuka Cho
- Hours: 10am to 12pm
- Closed: December 26 to 31
- Phone number: 075-313-2151
- Fee: 2,850 yen
- Duration: 2 hours
- Website: http://sisyu.yatuhasian.jp/exp/
There are a lot of traditional Japanese creations and classes in Kyoto. Most of the places are run by owners in small places. Most of the businesses are vibrant that goes back in a century. Some have flourished and continue to attract tourists.
Have a great trip and travel!
