11 Wagashi Workshops in Kyoto to Build a Day Around

1.Japanese Traditional Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 314 reviews · 1h 35m · from $18Our pick

At a Kyoto classroom one minute from Gojo Station, you’ll color and shape two seasonal nerikiri sweets using bean paste from long-established Kyoto shops, then prepare single-origin Uji matcha. Instruction is in Japanese, with English help available. The class runs 95 minutes and costs $18 per person.

“Sadly I can’t remember our hosts name but she was very good. We did the ceremony today at 1pm and really enjoyed the experience! The hostess was so lovely and extremely informative. It was fun making our own sweets and following her clear instructions and learning about a traditional matcha tea ceremony.”

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2.Kyoto Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking Class near Fushimiinari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $79Top rated

Join Miho or another licensed guide interpreter in an authentic Japanese house near Fushimi Inari. Over 2.5 hours, you will prepare three wagashi sweets, learn practical techniques in English, and eat your creations with matcha beside a garden view. Small groups are limited to six.

“We had a great time at this cooking class with Miho. Her studio was easy enough to find, space is nice and clean. Had one of my favorite bites of the trip with one of the desserts with black sesame, I had never had it before and now obsessed. We enjoyed our learning and eating from this experience. Thanks Miho!”

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3.Wagashi (Japanese sweets) Cooking near Fushimiinari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2h 30m · from $84

Near Fushimi Inari, Miho welcomes you into an authentic Japanese home for a 150-minute, hands-on wagashi class. Prepare about three seasonal sweets, learn matcha basics, and enjoy your creations in a traditional room with garden views. Groups are limited to six, and vegetarian and vegan options are available with advance notice.

“Beautiful and wholesome experience. Miho was amazing and super knowledgeable. I was surprised when she told me it was just me so I got a little private with her. Was amazing to take part in.”

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4.Traditional Tea Ceremony with Matcha & Sweets in Gion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 1 hour - 150 minutes · from $22

In Gion, an English-speaking tea master explains tea history, performs an elegant ceremony, and guides you in whisking matcha from a family-run farm. You’ll taste traditional sweets, ask questions, and take home a simple recipe. Chair seating makes this a comfortable cultural introduction.

“As soon as the hot pot started whistling I got pretty relaxed! A calm and peaceful tea sip indeed. I enjoyed learning the history behind matcha in Japan, and learning how to properly mix quality matcha into bubbles. Def recommend.”

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5.2 Types of Japanese Sweets making and Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews · 2h 5m · from $28

Near Gojo Station, you’ll make wasanbon ohigashi and two seasonal nerikiri sweets with Kyoto bean paste, then grind matcha and prepare your own bowl. The Japanese instructor, including Maiko on some sessions, explains each step with English help when requested. Expect a casual workshop rather than a formal tea ceremony.

“I thought it was good. The presenter translated everything into English which was very helpful. The sweet making was interesting. Maybe I misunderstood, but I thought that we would do an actual tea ceremony but it was more an informative session and we made a cup of matcha tea.”

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6.Japanese Traditional Sweets ”Nerikiri” making

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 1h 5m · from $11Best value

At AN Japanese Culture Experience near Kyoto’s Gojo Station, you’ll shape two seasonal nerikiri sweets from Kyoto-made white and red bean paste. A Japanese-speaking instructor leads the 65-minute session, with English help available when requested. Eat your creations on site, or add a takeout box.

“L’insegnante è stata molto gentile e disponibile, ma non parlava inglese e non si avvicinava ai tavoli per mostrare i dettagli ed i particolari. Non abbiamo idea di come ricreare l’impasto dei materiali utilizzati. Tutto sommato è na buona idea per passare un’oretta in relax con una bimba di 10-12 anni.”

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7.Kyoto Fushimiinari:Wagashi Making & Small Group Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 1h 15m · from $55

In a local Kyoto home near Fushimi Inari, you will make one seasonal wagashi, taste it with matcha, and learn tea ceremony manners in a Japanese-style room. The small group has up to six people, with clear English instruction and time to whisk your own bowl of tea.

“We had a lot of fun! Instructions were easy to follow. We made mochi with red bean paste and white bean paste and it was really tasty. Our instructor spoke English really well and we had some nice conversations. The tea ceremony was very informative but not too strict so everyone could take part at their own pace. I would definitely recommend this activity!”

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8.Kyoto near Fushimiinari Wagashi making&Small Group Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $52

Near Fushimi Inari, Miho and her English-speaking team teach you to make wagashi, explain tea ceremony customs, and prepare matcha in a local Japanese home. The 75-minute class includes two bowls of matcha, sweets, and a small group of up to eight people.

“This traditional tea ceremony was amazing and peaceful. Perfect experience to learn and live the Japanese culture in a non-touristic area, but only 10 min walk to the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine (famous orange torii gates). Miho the hostess of the ceremony was friendly, nice and speaks English very well.”

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9.Nerikiri and Matcha Making Class in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $84

At Nariko’s Kitchen near Matsugasaki Station, you’ll learn five nerikiri designs, from dough basics to delicate shaping with traditional tools. Then you’ll whisk table-style matcha, taste your sweets, and pack the rest to take home. The two-and-a-half-hour class welcomes participants over age 10.

“A truly unique experience and one we will think about for years to come. It was fun, educational, and relaxing. Our instructor invited us into her home and we immediately felt comfortable. Highly recommend!”

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10.Traditional Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $22

In Kyoto’s Gion district, tea masters including Mitsune and Yuki explain chanoyu, Zen, and omotenashi before showing you the proper movements. You then taste traditional sweets, whisk premium matcha from a family farm, and finish with questions. Chair seating makes this one-hour class approachable.

“The tea ceremony was an amazing experience, made our trip to Japan complete. Really informative, harmonious and inspiring!!”

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11.Japanese Traditional Sweets making with Tatedashi Matcha

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 6 reviews · 1h 5m · from $14

At AN Japanese Culture Experience near Gojo Station, you will shape two seasonal nerikiri sweets with Kyoto-made white and red bean paste, then enjoy them with Tatedashi Matcha. The instructor speaks Japanese, with English translation available as much as possible. The class costs $14 and lasts 65 minutes.

“It felt like a play dough class not that you knew what was inside the play-dough. Maybe activity for small kids.”

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