[Nationwide] Find a creative hobby! 5 hotels and ryokan with workshops

When you do the same thing every day, you may think, "I want to do something new and creative!" However, in reality, many people feel frustrated because they don't have the time or opportunity. "I want to relax on weekends and holidays, and starting something new is too difficult..." Maybe you've given up?

In times like these, why not stay at a hotel where you can participate in a "workshop"? You don't have to go to class, and you can try something new on your days off! You might learn about traditional Japanese culture, make glasswork, or try something you've never done before. If you stay at a hotel and try out the activities, you'll feel like you're on vacation and relax, and you might even find a hobby that suits you♪ In this article, we'll introduce hotels and ryokan across the country that offer recommended workshops.

*Information current as of February 2021. Please check the official website for details.

Kira no Sato is about a 25-minute walk from Izu Kogen Station in Shizuoka. This is an inn that offers a pottery experience, where you can make your own pottery. You can also experience painting a beckoning cat or beckoning rabbit, which have adorable expressions. You'll want to make your own beckoning cat by making it look puzzled or dyeing its cheeks red ♡

The inn also has an authentic pottery studio called "Yuraku." Not only can you experience pottery, but you can also purchase plates and teacups made by professional potters. It's exciting to immerse yourself in the world of pottery and search for your favorite tableware!

You can also try out the "electric potter's wheel experience" at the workshop! You will be carefully taught, so even beginners can enjoy making pottery with confidence. The pieces are left to dry slowly and are completed in about two months. Once completed, they will be mailed to your home. It's fun to look forward to receiving the finished product.

"Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi" is a convenient hotel located just a minute's walk from Kyobashi Station on the Ginza Line and Takaracho Station on the Asakusa Line. It offers experiences to learn about Tokyo's historical crafts and culture. Various workshops are held depending on the season, and in the past, they have included making original folding fans and local Kyoto tops.

The interior of the building is dotted with designs based on the traditional Tokyo craft of Edo Kiriko. The Intergate Lounge, where workshops are sometimes held, also has a library with a wide variety of books about Tokyo. It's sure to be an opportunity to discover new charms of Tokyo!

During your stay, you can also enjoy the free services at the Intergate Lounge. They serve coffee made with beans from a long-established local coffee shop, as well as sweets during your afternoon break. In the evening, they also offer alcoholic beverages such as wine and original cocktails. For a late-night snack, you can enjoy ochazuke toppings made with ingredients unique to Tokyo. You can spend a fulfilling time just at the hotel.

Located about 30 minutes by car from Suwa IC in Nagano, "Tateshina Ai" offers an indigo dyeing experience if you make a reservation. In the authentic workshop, indigo dyeing works, pottery, accessories, etc. are also sold. Come experience traditional techniques and develop an artistic sense in a village where indigo dyeing is popular!

In the "Indigo Dyeing Experience", you can make handkerchiefs and tablecloths. The technique used is "tie-dyeing" using thread. The desired pattern is sewn with thread, and the parts that are not dyed stand out as white. You can only see how well the indigo dye has absorbed once it has dried. It's fun to see what colors the pieces you've spent so much time making will have.

The dye used in indigo dyeing is made by fermenting a plant called tade and mixing it with various ingredients such as ash. It takes about one to ten days to make the dye. The dyeing process is not completed in one go, but is repeated in and out several times. This apparently results in a deeper color. Learning about such delicate techniques will make you feel even more proud of Japan's traditional crafts!

"Tosa Washi Craft Village Kuraudo" is an overnight experience facility located about 10 minutes by car from Namikawa Station in Kochi. As the name suggests, it is located in the region that produces Tosa washi paper, and you can participate in workshops such as "papermaking experience" and "weaving experience". Since it is surrounded by the natural scenery of mountains and rivers, you can also enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing.

Tosa washi paper is a high-quality craft that has been designated as a national intangible cultural asset. Made using clear water, the washi paper is known for its strength and thickness. In the "Papermaking Experience," you can make fans, postcards, and more. Feel the strength of washi paper, which contains a lot of fiber, with your hands!

In the "Weaving Experience", you can choose colorful threads and make scarves and placemats. It seems like it would be somehow comfortable to spin threads using a loom like the ones in fairy tales. The more you do it, the more you can see the finished product, so you should enjoy the process ♪ It will also be a memento of your trip.

The The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa is a hotel located right in front of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. It is about a 40-minute bus ride from Toya Station. The hotel's elegant lobby, which is symbolic of the hotel, is combined with the magnificent view from the windows, creating a breathtaking beauty. The flower arrangements throughout the building further enhance the elegance. Here, you can learn the techniques of professional flower arrangement.

You can participate in the "Garden Candle Making Experience" and "Flower Arrangement Class (winter only)" taught by the professional florist at the hotel. They will teach you the basics of flower arrangement. They will use preserved flowers, which are said to never wither, so you can take them home and display them.

In the "Garden Candle Making Experience", you can combine preserved flowers and candles to make gorgeous candles like those found at wedding venues! The light is LED, so there is no need to light it. It is also possible to make candles for seasonal events such as Halloween, so if you are interested, please contact us.

Discover the joy of creating a one-of-a-kind piece of work and learn about the depth of traditional Japanese culture. Participating in a workshop and experiencing traditional techniques and craftsmanship may broaden your horizons and change your values a little. It may be a good opportunity to reexamine yourself. If you want to take up a creative hobby, be sure to try staying at a lodging that has a workshop!