Write Japan,
by hand.

1. 

   01

   Grind the ink

   Rub an ink stick on a stone with a little water. The quiet scent and sound help you slow down.

2. 

   02

   Hold the brush & write

   Learn how to hold the brush and a few basic strokes, then write your piece — no experience needed.

3. 

   03

   Stamp & take it home

   Finish with a red seal stamp. Your work is dried, wrapped and yours to keep.

1. Best for first-timers

   一字

   One Big Word

   Pick one meaningful word and write it large with a big brush.

   Words like 和 (harmony), 縁 (connection) or 一期一会 (treasure this once-in-a-lifetime moment). Quick, energetic and great for groups.

   Good for

   First-timers · Groups · Short on time

   You take home

   Shikishi art board

2. Best for first-timers

   名前

   Your Name in Ancient Japanese Characters

   Turn your name into Japanese characters and write it on a square art board.

   Before hiragana existed, Japanese was written with Chinese characters chosen only for their sound — called man'yōgana. We pick characters that sound like your name, and tell you what each one means.

   Good for

   First-timers · Families · Souvenir

   You take home

   Shikishi art board

3. かな

   Hiragana — Japan's Own Script

   Write soft, flowing Japanese letters with a fine brush.

   Hiragana grew out of quickly written characters about 1,000 years ago and became the script of court poetry. You will try its graceful, connected lines.

   Good for

   Adults · Those who like detail

   You take home

   Paper strip or sheet

4. 和歌

   A Classical Poem on a Paper Strip

   Copy a short Japanese poem onto a long, narrow strip of decorated paper.

   Waka are five-line poems written for over 1,300 years. We choose one that fits the season of your visit and write it in a playful, 'scattered' layout.

   Good for

   Poetry lovers · Seasonal memory

   You take home

   Tanzaku paper strip

See more works →

• JANUARY

  New Year's writing

  Write your wish for the year — a Japanese tradition called kakizome.

• SPRING

  Cherry blossom poems

  A sakura poem on pale pink paper.

• JULY

  Star festival wishes

  Write a wish on a paper strip and hang it on bamboo (Tanabata).

• AUTUMN & WINTER

  Autumn leaves & New Year cards

  Seasonal poems, or greeting cards written with a brush.

書道Shodo

The Japanese art of writing with brush and ink.

筆Fude

The brush. Its soft tip makes lines thick or thin.

墨Sumi

Black ink, made by rubbing an ink stick on a stone.

和紙Washi

Traditional Japanese paper that soaks up ink beautifully.

ひらがなHiragana

Japan's own rounded alphabet, born about 1,000 years ago.

万葉仮名Man'yōgana

Chinese characters used only for their sound — the ancestors of hiragana.

和歌Waka

A classical five-line Japanese poem.

色紙Shikishi

A square art board with a gold edge, made for display.

短冊Tanzaku

A long, narrow strip of paper for poems and wishes.

落款Rakkan

The red seal stamp that signs a finished work.