Experience Japanese calligraphy & tea ceremony at a traditional house in Nagoya

About this tour

Learn calligraphy and tea ceremony in a restored Kominka (traditional wooden house) in Nagoya, the historic seat of samurai power. Over 2.5 hours, you'll practice brush strokes and whisk matcha in an authentic lived-in space—tatami floors, paper screens, garden views intact—rather than a museum or tourist venue. Your host will guide you through both practices in English, connecting each to the samurai era that shaped the region.

Highlights

• Brush calligraphy with traditional tools and ink
• Matcha whisking and tea etiquette in a real home
• Tatami rooms, shoji screens, period gardens
• English-speaking instruction throughout
• Handmade sweets paired with your tea ceremony
• Walking distance to public transport

What to expect

You'll arrive at a genuine Kominka—a wooden house where families once lived, not a reconstructed attraction. After removing your shoes, you'll sit at low tables on tatami mats. The calligraphy session teaches you basic brush control and character composition; expect some ink on your hands. You'll then prepare and drink matcha following traditional steps, paired with house-made sweets. The host shares stories about the space and Nagoya's samurai lineage (Oda, Toyotomi, Tokugawa clans). The pace is unhurried; there's quiet time to absorb the atmosphere.

Good to know

Book ahead and mention any food allergies; sweets are included. Wear clothes you can kneel in comfortably and avoid heavy perfume. The house has stairs; not suitable if you have spinal injuries. Public transport stops nearby. No souvenir shop on-site.