Activity Information
Overview
This activity offers you an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture in a casual and easily accessible way. Try your hand at making your own miniature dry garden typical for Zen temples as you appreciate the beauty, tranquility and harmony of Japanese traditional aesthetics.
Alternatively you could try the maki-e gilding experience and explore the traditional craft in depth.
Furthermore, the Matcha experience lets you try making your own green tea and enjoy it with the perfectly matched seasonal sweets. Lastly, you could don the traditional Japanese clothing and swords and commemorate the occasion in style! This activity is packed full with various fun experiences just waiting to be explored.
Make your own traditional dry garden
Beautiful dry gardens are a common feature often found in various temples across Japan.
Despite not using any water, they often represent natural landscapes including rivers, mountains and seas. However their true charm lies in their lean, minimalistic design and use of space. This experience offers you the opportunity to try your hand at designing your own miniature dry garden.
First, you will evenly distribute the sand as you empty your mind.
Then you will select the bigger stones which will represent the mountains.
Create a “flow” of your own liking by making patterns in the dry gravel that represent waves and river currents.
Take it one step further and create a design that breaks the established forms, by adding various objects such as greenery and even structures.
There is no right or wrong. Express yourself freely and follow your own aesthetic sense.
There are many various objects for you to choose from to decorate your garden.
Experience the traditional art of maki-e guilding
The traditional gilding craft of maki-e has a long and rich history. It is also a great example of the Japanese sense of beauty and aesthetics. This experience offers you an opportunity to utilize the techniques of this old craft to create your very own, one-of-a-kind mini tray. The finished tray will be presented to you as a souvenir and even comes with a special stand with which you can use the tray as a decoration at home.
First, start with choosing your preferred design.
Apply the special adhesive glaze on top of the copied design.
Finish the glazing by signing your work. Now it is time for gilding.
Choose your preferred color powders and apply them on top of the design.
By applying multiple colors you can create a color gradient to make the torii gate even more realistic.
Make you own matcha tea
Enjoy a relaxing moment with one of the most typical and crucial elements of Japanese culture, matcha green tea. The experience is very beginner-friendly and perfect for first-timers. Treat yourself to a special moment of tranquility and reward yourself with an exceptional cup of tea.
Commemorate the occasion with a special picture
Create precious memories of your special day and capture them on camera at our special photo spot. Don Japanese traditional clothes or grab a sword and combine them with the background decorated with Japanese paper fans, traditional umbrellas or even a suit of armor.
Art gallery of Japanese anime
One corner of our store is an area dedicated to Japanese anime and manga, decorated with posters and copies of famous pictures and scenes. From Dragonball to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure or even famous works by Studio Ghibli, this corner is a great spot for fans and a great opportunity to experience a bit of contemporary pop culture.