Kyoto Calligraphy
Experience

Looking for a unique Kyoto calligraphy experience?

Learn Japanese calligraphy at Yorimichiya,
a traditional machiya.

Perfect for beginners, with English guidance.
Create your own artwork to take home.

Our Japanese Calligraphy
 Experience in Kyoto

At Yorimichiya, you will experience Japanese calligraphy in a relaxed and welcoming environment inside a traditional Kyoto machiya.

Our Japanese calligraphy experience in Kyoto is designed especially for international visitors, including complete beginners who have never used Japanese brushes or written kanji before.

With guidance from a Japanese instructor in English, you will learn about the history and meaning behind Japanese writing, practice traditional brush techniques, and create your own calligraphy artwork to take home.

No artistic experience or beautiful handwriting is required.
Simply pick up the brush, slow down, and enjoy creating something uniquely yours in Kyoto.

The experience is designed for travelers who want to do more than simply see Japanese culture. and create something they can remember and take home.

Welcome to Yorimichiya

Begin your experience at Yorimichiya,
a traditional Kyoto machiya
near the Kamo River.

Take a moment to settle into the space before discovering the history and culture behind Japanese calligraphy.

Discover the World of Japanese Writing

Learn how Japanese writing developed from Chinese characters and how kanji, hiragana, and katakana became part of the Japanese language.

Your instructor will also introduce the meaning and cultural background of the characters you will write.

Learn How to Use a Japanese
Calligraphy Brush

Before creating your artwork,
you will learn the basic techniques of Japanese brush writing.

Discover how to hold the brush, control the pressure, create different types of strokes, and move the brush with intention.

Practice Your Calligraphy

Now it's your turn!
Practice the strokes and characters step by step with guidance from your instructor.
Don't worry about making mistakes,calligraphy is about the process as much as the final result.

Create Your Own Calligraphy Artwork

Choose a Japanese character or word and create your own piece of calligraphy.
Your instructor will help you understand its meaning and guide you as you create your final artwork.

Take Your Artwork Home

Choose a Japanese character or word and create your own piece of calligraphy.
Your instructor will help you understand its meaning and guide you as you create your final artwork.

More than simply writing Japanese characters beautifully, Shodo is a traditional art form that combines brushwork, ink, movement, balance, and concentration.

Japanese calligraphy developed from Chinese writing traditions and evolved in Japan alongside the Japanese language and culture. Over time, different styles of writing emerged, including kanji, hiragana, and katakana.

In Shodo, the movement of the brush is just as important as the final character. The pressure, speed, direction, and rhythm of each stroke can change the expression of a character.

This makes Japanese calligraphy both a visual art and a mindful practice.

From Kanji to Hiragana and Katakana

Japanese writing has a fascinating history.

Kanji characters were introduced to Japan from China and became an important part of the Japanese writing system. Over time, Japanese people developed hiragana and katakana to represent the Japanese language in ways that suited Japanese grammar and pronunciation.

Today, all three writing systems are used together in everyday Japanese.

Through our calligraphy experience, you can discover this history while learning to use traditional Japanese calligraphy tools yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Our Guests Say

Our guests come from around the world to discover Japanese culture at Yorimichiya.

Many visitors appreciate being able to participate in a traditional Japanese art rather than simply observing it.

We recommend featuring verified guest reviews from Viator, TripAdvisor, Google to share real experiences from previous guests.