A name in Kanji is a souvenir you can feel. This Kyoto workshop pairs a hands-on writing lesson with a friendly, café-based Japanese intro you’ll actually use. You’ll leave with your name on traditional shikishi paper, plus a quick taste of greetings and self-introductions in Japanese. The only real catch: it’s not traditional brush-and-ink shodō, and foreign-name Kanji can be an approximation rather than a perfect match.

I love how casual and comfortable it feels—your teacher (KAZUHISA ASHIDA, often called Kazu) starts you off in a neighborhood café, not a formal studio. I also like that the focus isn’t just Kanji; you’ll practice kanji plus hiragana and katakana, so the lesson connects to how Japanese is actually written. If you’re hoping for strict calligraphy technique with brushes, you may feel slightly underwhelmed.

Quick hits: why this Kyoto name-writing workshop is such good value

• Bilingual guidance from Kazu in English and Japanese, so you’re not stuck guessing.
• A café start with a complimentary drink (coffee, tea, or soft drink) in a relaxed setting.
• Your name becomes a personalized Kanji keepsake on traditional shikishi paper (色紙).
• You’ll also practice hiragana and katakana, not just one character set.
• You get mini-language practice: greetings and self-introductions, plus pronunciation tips.
• Real-world writing help, including how Japanese-style dates and place names like Kyoto are written.

Finding the meeting point by Takashimaya’s clock

The whole experience starts in the busy Shijo-Kawaramachi area, one of Kyoto’s most convenient intersections for walking and transit connections. Look for the clock in front of the Takashimaya main entrance. It sits at the southwest corner where Shijo-dori meets Kawaramachi-dori.

Your guide will be easy to spot: Kazu will be holding a red handkerchief or a red sign. That detail matters. Kyoto can be confusing in crowds, and this meeting setup is designed to prevent you from wandering for 15 minutes looking for the wrong group.

It’s also a smart choice that the activity begins and ends at the meeting point. You don’t have to plan extra time for a complicated pickup or return route—once you’re done, you can continue your day right there in the neighborhood.

Starting in a cozy café with your drink and basic greetings

Instead of dropping you into a classroom vibe, you begin at a local café with a complimentary drink of your choice: coffee, tea, or a soft drink. I like this approach because it lowers the pressure. You’re learning something slightly intimidating (new writing systems), but you’re doing it comfortably, with something warm or refreshing in hand.

From there, Kazu leads an easy introduction to Japanese greetings and self-introductions. You’ll get essential phrases and pronunciation tips, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions along the way. This is the kind of micro-lesson that pays off later because Kyoto is full of short interactions—ordering food, asking directions, or just saying hello politely.

Because the instruction is English and Japanese, you can follow the lesson even if your Japanese is limited. It also means you get explanations in a way that’s not overly technical.

Writing your name in Kanji (with felt-tip pens), step by step

The main event is making your name in Kanji. You’ll work in a casual, hands-on way using felt-tip pens (magic markers). That’s a big plus for most travelers: you’re not fighting brush ink or worrying about pen control as much as you would in brush calligraphy.

Kazu will guide you through choosing characters. Then you practice writing your name in Kanji repeatedly until it clicks. You’ll also learn how to translate your name into Japanese-style writing using the other scripts—hiragana and katakana—so your souvenir includes a fuller view of how Japanese represents sounds.

Materials are provided, including traditional shikishi calligraphy paper (色紙). This matters more than it sounds. A workshop that supplies decent paper feels special, and the final product looks like something you’d hang or gift, not just scribble on a scrap sheet.

How your foreign name turns into Kanji: sound, meaning, and imperfect matches

One of the most honest parts of this workshop: Kanji for foreign names can be tricky. Japanese spelling depends on sound, and Kanji selection often involves matching pronunciation while also considering meaning. That means you might not always get a single universally agreed-upon spelling for your name.

The good news is that Kazu makes the best effort to assign Kanji characters that closely match the sound and (where possible) the meaning. In practice, this creates a souvenir that feels personal and intentional. You’re not just copying random symbols—you’re learning how Japanese writing systems handle names.

A practical tip for you: if your goal is something perfectly standardized, you may want to research your name’s commonly used Kanji before the class. But if your goal is a thoughtful keepsake and a fun lesson on how Japanese writing works, this approach is exactly the right balance of accuracy and creativity.

Practicing hiragana and katakana so your souvenir feels complete

Kanji is only part of the story here. You’ll also practice writing using hiragana and katakana, the two other Japanese scripts. For many first-time visitors, that’s a helpful reality check: Japanese writing isn’t one system. It’s a mix, and understanding the mix makes the language less mysterious.

In this workshop, those scripts aren’t treated like extra homework. They’re folded into the workflow of writing your own name. That keeps it practical and memorable.

You’ll also learn Japanese-style writing conventions that show up everywhere in everyday life. That makes your souvenir feel connected to the country, not sealed off as a tourist craft.

The practical bonus: writing dates and place names like Kyoto

One of the reasons I like this type of short workshop in Kyoto is that it teaches mini skills you can use immediately. Here, that includes how to write Japanese-style dates and place names such as Kyoto.

Even if you never write out dates yourself, you start noticing patterns. Japanese dates follow a structure you can spot quickly, and place names help you recognize official signage and travel info without feeling lost. It’s not a full language course—but it’s the right kind of language-adjacent knowledge for travelers.

And since Kazu is fluent in Japanese and English, you can ask questions about what you’re seeing around Kyoto. That’s where the workshop stops being just a craft class and starts being a bridge into the city.

What you take home on shikishi paper

Your final product is a personalized, handwritten piece of artwork featuring your name in Kanji (with related practice using hiragana and katakana). The paper used is shikishi (色紙), which is traditional calligraphy paper commonly used for framed pieces.

Because you’re using provided materials, you don’t need to buy anything. The finished souvenir is designed to be giftable or displayable. It’s also a nice memory because you created it with your own hand, not just watched someone else do it.

This is one of those activities where the value is emotional as well as practical. You’ll remember the way the lesson broke your name into Japanese writing—not because it was intense, but because it was manageable, step-by-step, and hands-on.

Price and value: is $33 worth it?

At $33 per person, this workshop can be a strong value because so much is included. You’re paying for:

• guided instruction (in English and Japanese)
• the writing lesson with practical pronunciation and self-introduction phrases
• all materials, including shikishi paper and felt-tip pens
• a complimentary café drink
• a personalized souvenir you can take home

What’s not included is also clear: you handle transportation to and from the meeting point, and you cover extra food and personal spending.

So is it worth $33? If you want a meaningful Kyoto keepsake and a low-stress language moment, yes. If you’re a serious calligraphy person craving brush-and-ink shodō technique, you might feel the price doesn’t match your expectations—because this class uses pens and is intentionally more casual.

Who this is best for (and who might skip it)

This workshop fits you well if you:

• want a personal souvenir tied to Japanese writing
• like short language lessons that start immediately (greetings, self-introductions)
• prefer a casual, café-based learning style
• are traveling in mixed groups where not everyone wants a long formal activity

It’s also a good match if weather matters. The experience is set up so you can do it in comfort regardless of rain, snow, heat, or cold, which is a real advantage in Kyoto when conditions can change fast.

You might consider a different option if:

• you specifically want traditional shodō with brushes and ink
• you need a fully standardized or universally accepted Kanji spelling for a foreign name
• you won’t be able to arrive on time, since late arrivals may not be accommodated

FAQ

FAQ

What exactly do I make during this workshop?

You’ll craft a personalized souvenir: your name written in Japanese Kanji, along with practice that includes hiragana and katakana. You also use traditional shikishi paper and take the finished piece home.

Is this traditional calligraphy (shodō) with brushes and ink?

No. This workshop uses felt-tip pens (magic markers) for a casual Kanji-writing experience. It is not a brush-and-ink shodō class.

Will my guide teach in English or Japanese?

The workshop is conducted in English and Japanese. The guide is fluent in both, and other languages cannot be accommodated.

What’s included in the $33 price?

The price includes the hands-on writing workshop, instruction for Kanji/hiragana/katakana and basic conversation phrases, all materials (shikishi paper and felt-tip pens), a personalized souvenir, and one complimentary drink (coffee, tea, or soft drink).

Can I learn greetings and self-introductions in Japanese too?

Yes. You’ll get a fun introduction to Japanese greetings and self-introductions, including pronunciation tips.

How does the instructor choose Kanji for my name?

Because foreign names don’t always map cleanly to Kanji, it can be challenging. The instructor selects characters based on the name’s sound and meaning and makes the best effort to match pronunciation.

Where do we meet?

Meet at the clock in front of the Takashimaya main entrance at the southwest corner of Shijo-dori and Kawaramachi-dori. The instructor will be holding a red handkerchief or red sign.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

What if I arrive late?

Late arrivals may not be accommodated.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book this Kyoto Kanji name-writing workshop?

If you want a Kyoto souvenir that’s more than a postcard—and you like doing something with your hands—book it. For $33, you get a personalized name piece on traditional shikishi paper, bilingual instruction from KAZUHISA ASHIDA (Kazu), and a small language boost with greetings and self-introductions. It’s also a comfortable, weather-friendly activity that works well even when you want to keep plans simple.

Skip it only if you’re specifically chasing brush-and-ink shodō technique or you need a perfectly standardized Kanji spelling for your name. Otherwise, this is the kind of thoughtful, low-stress Kyoto experience that gives you a real artifact—and a few useful phrases to carry into the rest of your trip.