Wagashi Sweets-Making Workshop at Tokyo’s Koboji Temple
Learn to make Japanese sweets (wagashi) and sip matcha at the historic Koboji Temple in Tokyo.
Highlights
Learn the intricate art of wagashi sweets-making in an authentic tatami room inside a temple near Tokyo Tower in central Tokyo
Sip on matcha prepared by expert hosts
Learn about traditional culture and traditions
10 meals
Experience Details
Rooted in centuries of history, the Japanese tea ceremony is one of the country’s greatest expressions of hospitality. A sign of respect and tradition, it consists of a ritual of making and serving matcha alongside wagashi confectioneries. In this experience, you can participate in this ancient practice and learn to make confectioneries at one of Tokyo’s iconic temples.
Neriki sweets are created by shaping a sweet paste from white beans and rice flour into delicate and colorful motifs. With the help of an English-speaking guide dressed in a kimono, you’ll work through the process before enjoying your sweets with a cup of matcha.
The sweets-making experience takes place in a room with Japanese straw mat flooring (tatami) at Koboji Temple, a historic site in Minato City. Koboji was established over a thousand years ago in Wakayama before being moved to Tokyo in the Meiji period and becoming the 13th temple in the Gofunai 88 Sacred Sites pilgrimage.
Your amicable hosts will share the rituals and traditions associated with the tea ceremony and the steps to prepare matcha. They will answer all your questions about Koboji Temple, wagashi, tea ceremonies, and Japan’s cultural history, so this is a great opportunity to dive deep into Japan's long-standing traditions.
You can choose both a traditional kimono and the rare Oshima Tsumugi haori as optional add-ons. Oshima Tsumugi is a luxurious silk textile—mud‑dyed for rich color, woven with kasuri patterns, and known for its lightweight, supple drape—perfect for experiencing Japanese elegance firsthand.
A certified kimono master will dress you—comfortably over a T-shirt or kimono undergarment—so anyone can enjoy it effortlessly. Just come as you are, no need to bring anything. Ideal for commemorative photos, this special touch ensures an unforgettable memory.
What You Get
Good To Know
- Please note any food allergies in the 'notes' section when booking, so we can confirm with the host about accommodations
- This experience takes an estimated 60 to 90 minutes
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Please meet your host directly at Mita Koboji Temple, a 6-minute walk from Mita Station. A detailed address and a Google Maps link will be shared with guests upon booking confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.
Experience Location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
This was a very special experience within a temple on tatami mats. Tae, my teacher was very lovely, creative and patient. I would recommend this wagashi class. I was able to take home what I made a...read more
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed making wagashi in the temple and relaxing on the tatami mats. It was a pleasure to share this experience with you, and we’...Read more
This was a fantastic experience and the sensei was so kind and patient. And the English interpreter Lucy was so helpful. We enjoyed both making the confections and the tea ceremony and learning the...read more
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re truly happy to hear that you enjoyed both the confection-making and the tea ceremony, and that you found the experience meaningful and informative. W...Read more
Our group of international guests had a great time learning to make the nerikiri and the proper way to enjoy matcha. Even our Japanese colleague learned new things that she didn't know before. A tr...read more
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that your group, including your Japanese colleague, enjoyed learning about nerikiri and matcha. Providing an enriching exper...Read more
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