Visitors to Tokyo can now take home a distinctly Japanese souvenir that they have made themselves, with a new chopstick-making experience in Shibuya already proving popular with international travelers.
Chopsticks Studio Shibuya opened in August, offering visitors the chance to make their own pair of chopsticks from high-quality wood. It's proving to be popular, with the studio welcoming more than 3,000 participants in its first two months.
The studio offers a one-hour workshop designed specifically with international visitors in mind. English- and Japanese-speaking staff guide participants through the process, while also explaining the history and cultural background of chopsticks in Japan.
The hands-on experience involves shaping the chopsticks with a plane, rather than simply decorating a pre-made pair. The finished chopsticks can then be taken home, providing a practical souvenir connected to the experience of making it.
For those looking for something more personalized, the premium option allows participants to choose from more than 10 types of wood and includes a name engraving option. The basic experience costs 2,800 JPY per person, while the premium plan is 5,000 JPY. The studio can accommodate up to 44 people at once, making it suitable for families as well as larger groups.
With Shibuya already a popular stop on many Tokyo itineraries, the workshop offers an opportunity to experience a more hands-on side of Japanese culture without traveling far from the city's major attractions. It also highlights the growing range of small-scale cultural experiences being developed specifically for international visitors.
