REVIEW · YOKOHAMA
Japanese Calligraphy Class in Yokohama with Tea and Sweets
Book on Viator →Operated by Mami's calligraphy · Bookable on Viator
Brush meets tea in peaceful Yokohama. This small-group class has you practice real calligraphy techniques under Mami-san, then leave with a finished uchiwa fan you can keep.
What I like most is how friendly and calm the teaching feels, even if you are a total beginner. You also get a hands-on souvenir: you write a kanji character (or characters you choose) and transfer it onto a traditional fan, all at an easy pace. The only real drawback is time: 2 hours 30 minutes is perfect to get started, but it will not turn you into a calligraphy pro.
In This Review
- Key highlights before you go
- Yokohama’s Port Opening setting: Jack’s Tower calm focus
- The lesson flow: from brush handling to your own kanji
- Copying onto a traditional paper uchiwa fan (your take-home art)
- Tea and sweets pause: sencha or hojicha break time
- Mami-san’s teaching style: English clarity and patient corrections
- Price and value: what $19.51 really covers
- When this class fits best (and when it might not)
- What to do after: using your beginner guide like a pro
- Should you book this calligraphy class in Yokohama?
- FAQ
- Where does the calligraphy class start?
- How long is the experience?
- What will I write during the class?
- Do I take home the calligraphy art?
- Is tea included, and can I choose it?
- Are sweets included?
- What size is the group?
- Is there an English guide provided for beginners?
- Can I cancel if plans change?
Key highlights before you go
- A compact class (up to 6 people) so you get real attention and correction
- Mami-san’s English instruction with patient, step-by-step guidance for different levels
- Write your own kanji using a model on the spot, then copy it neatly onto your uchiwa fan
- Tea choice included: sencha or hojicha, plus Japanese sweets
- Take home an English beginner guide to keep practicing after the class
Yokohama’s Port Opening setting: Jack’s Tower calm focus
You meet at Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, also known as Jack’s Tower area. It is a traditional-feeling spot that gives your hands something to do while your brain finally slows down. Instead of rushing between sights, you get a quiet activity that feels very Japanese but does not require any special background knowledge.
The location matters because the lesson is built for focus. You are not bouncing through multiple rooms or chasing a timed schedule. That makes the whole 2 hours 30 minutes feel manageable, even if your day in Yokohama has already been busy.
Tip for your plan: wear sleeves you can comfortably move your hands in. Calligraphy needs relaxed wrists and steady control, so you want to avoid anything that tangles or slips.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Yokohama.
The lesson flow: from brush handling to your own kanji
The class starts by introducing the basics of brush work—how to hold the brush, how to control pressure, and how to shape strokes. The goal is simple: help you produce clean, graceful lines without stressing over perfection.
Then you choose what to write. You get a model on site, so you are not staring at a blank page guessing where to begin. After that, you can write your favorite character(s) or just a single character of your name in kanji.
What I find smart here is the structure. First you learn the mechanics. Then you apply them immediately. It turns calligraphy from a mysterious art into something you can actually practice with your own brain and hands in real time.
What to expect during the writing phase
- A model is provided so you can follow the shape and stroke order
- You copy carefully into your finished format
- The instructor corrects technique as you go, rather than waiting until the end
Copying onto a traditional paper uchiwa fan (your take-home art)
Your end product is not just a practice sheet. You create a calligraphy piece on a traditional Japanese paper fan (uchiwa). That changes the feel of the class because you are making something meant to be shown off—or at least tucked into your suitcase like a tiny piece of craft history.
The transfer step is where most of the learning happens. Copying from a model onto your own fan teaches you to slow down, check stroke length, and aim for consistent line weight. Even if your first attempt is not perfect, you still end up with a complete souvenir you can keep.
Why this souvenir format is great value: you get a personal character choice (name kanji or your favorite) plus a finished art object that looks like it belongs in Japan, not like a tourist worksheet.
Tea and sweets pause: sencha or hojicha break time
At the end, you get Japanese tea and sweets. You can choose between sencha or hojicha, which is a nice touch because they are not the same flavor experience. Sencha tends to feel fresher and brighter. Hojicha is usually deeper and more roasted, often easier to sip calmly after you have been concentrating for a while.
The sweets are included too, and the whole break is designed to help the class land softly. This is not just a snack stop. It is time to reset your brain, chat with the instructor, and enjoy the fact that you just made something with your hands.
If you have food preferences or sensitive stomachs, this is still worth doing, but you might want to plan for a lighter dinner later depending on what the sweets are like. The class does not advertise a full meal—this is a tea-and-sweets ending.
Mami-san’s teaching style: English clarity and patient corrections
The instructor, Mami-san, is described as award-winning with over 30 years of calligraphy experience. In practice, what stands out is the teaching vibe: relaxed, thoughtful, and very patient.
You are guided in clear English, with step-by-step explanation that helps you understand not only what to do, but why the strokes look right when they are done well. That matters because calligraphy can feel intimidating if you think you need a perfect hand from the start.
Another strong point: the class works for different experience levels. The guidance starts with basics, and then it adapts to where you are. That is especially reassuring if you are traveling with family members who learn at different speeds—or if one person is confident with arts and another just wants to try.
Group size makes it easier
With a maximum of 6 travelers, you are not stuck watching from the back. You can ask questions, get corrections where you need them, and keep up without feeling rushed.
Price and value: what $19.51 really covers
$19.51 for about 2 hours 30 minutes might sound too low for something cultural and hands-on, but the value here is in what is included.
You are paying for:
- instructor-led technique coaching
- a customized takeaway (your uchiwa calligraphy)
- tea (sencha or hojicha) and Japanese sweets
- an English beginner guide to continue practicing
The lesson is not just a lecture. It is practice time with real materials and a finished output. For solo travelers, that is a good way to get a meaningful experience without committing to a full-day workshop. For couples or families, it is also a compact activity that does not eat your whole afternoon.
One value check to consider: if your main goal is sightseeing photos, this is more about making something than scanning the city. If you want both, schedule it earlier in the day so you still have energy for Yokohama’s walking routes afterward.
When this class fits best (and when it might not)
This class is ideal if you:
- want an authentic Japanese craft experience that is not museum-only
- like structured, hands-on learning
- enjoy small-group activities with lots of personal guidance
- want a personal souvenir that is genuinely tied to your own character choice
You might consider another option if you:
- want a long deep-dive into art theory (this is more skill-building than academic)
- prefer tours that involve lots of outdoor exploring and big landmarks
- need something totally silent or highly formal—this is friendly and conversational, including tea time
What to do after: using your beginner guide like a pro
You will take home an English beginner’s guide to calligraphy. That is an underrated part of the experience, because it turns your souvenir into a learning tool.
When you practice at home, focus on repeating the character(s) you wrote. Use the guide to remind yourself of stroke order and basic brush handling. Even 10 minutes a few times a week will help you lock in the shapes you copied on the fan.
Practical way to keep it simple: put the guide next to where you write, and do short practice sessions right after your trip memory is fresh. Your first few tries will feel awkward, but the strokes will start to improve quickly.
Should you book this calligraphy class in Yokohama?
Yes—if you want a calm, hands-on experience that ends with a personalized souvenir and included tea. The combination of small group size, clear English teaching by Mami-san, and a finished uchiwa fan makes it a strong value for the time.
I would book it especially if you are traveling as a pair or with family members who want something memorable that everyone can participate in. The only reason to skip is if you are only chasing high-energy sightseeing and want a more expansive multi-stop tour.
If you are in Yokohama and you have an afternoon free, this is one of those activities that makes your trip feel more human—because your hands are part of the story.
FAQ
Where does the calligraphy class start?
The class meets at Port Opening Memorial Hall, Japan, 231-0005 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Honchō, 1-chōme ６６.
How long is the experience?
It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.
What will I write during the class?
You can write your favorite characters using a model provided on the spot, or you can write a single character of your name in kanji.
Do I take home the calligraphy art?
Yes. You copy your calligraphy onto a traditional Japanese paper fan (uchiwa), which you can take home as a souvenir.
Is tea included, and can I choose it?
Yes. You enjoy Japanese tea at the end, and you can choose between sencha or hojicha.
Are sweets included?
Yes. Japanese sweets are included with the tea.
What size is the group?
The experience has a maximum of 6 travelers.
Is there an English guide provided for beginners?
Yes. You can take home a beginner’s guide to calligraphy in English.
Can I cancel if plans change?
Free cancellation is available. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
