Calligraphy experience in Tokyo

Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, is one of the most venerated arts in Japan: painting kanji or kana characters with brush and ink on rice paper is at once an artistic, meditative and spiritual exercise. The shodo workshops for tourists in Tokyo offer an accessible introduction to this art under the guidance of master calligraphers, with a usual duration of between 1,5 and 2 hours. You will learn to hold the brush correctly, to control the pressure and the movement, and you will execute your own characters —usually your name in katakana or a kanji of your choice— that you take home as a souvenir on quality paper. The price of the full experiences with a certified master usually exceeds 5.000 ¥ per person; some schools offer shorter and cheaper formats. The workshops are held in studios in districts such as Asakusa, Ueno or Koganei. Platforms such as Viator, Maikoya or Airbnb Experiences offer online booking in Spanish. No previous experience is needed: the master guides each stroke. It is an ideal plan if you are looking for a quiet, deep cultural activity with a tangible result to take home.