Handcrafting

Japanese culture

Tokyo

Experience making the Daruma doll loved by the Japanese

Daruma dolls are round-shaped dolls that have long been loved by the Japanese as good luck charms that help realize people’s wishes.

And Chofu city, where this experience takes place, is a city with a strong connection to Daruma dolls, as it is home to the largest Daruma market in Japan.

The basic pattern of this activity is as follows.
1. Select body type: Normal/Cat/Mini
2. Select a fabric pattern to be pasted onto the doll from a myriad of options
3. Cut the selected fabrics to the right size, paste them on the doll
4. Using brushes and paints, draw Daruma's face freely
5. While waiting for the paint to dry, play the Daruma game or take photos in a Daruma costume (Tea will also be served at this time)

This is a great way to get a quick hands-on experience of Japanese culture while putting your creativity to work.

In addition, the area around the shop is home to Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical Park, where Tokyoites like to hang out.
The area is also known as a famous soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant due to the clean water springing out of it, and has the largest concentration of soba noodle restaurants in Japan.
We hope you will enjoy visiting them before or after this experience.

Duration: About 1.5 hours
Location, Instructor: <Location>
In Chofu city, Tokyo, at a small shop.
Detail will be informed, after making the reservation.

<Guide>
The owner of one of Japan's leading dharma specialty stores will provide direct instruction.
What's Included: ・Experience fee
・Facility usage fee
・Tool usage fee
・Material cost
・Consumption tax
Notes: 1. Those under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a guardian
2. Those who are unwell or under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to participate(and no refund)
3. Even if you are late, this program will be ended as originally scheduled time (you may not be able to experience all or part of the experience at our discretion)
4. Those who wish to enter the venue without participating in this program are also required to pay an additional fee, which must be indicated at the time of request (those who have not paid in advance will not be admitted to the venue)

Reviews

Sanjana 2020/1

This was an enjoyable family experience we will always remember

Josué 2019/11

One of my highlights so far in Japan. Super friendly and knowledgable, and I got to walk away with a one of a kind daruma doll.

Krishna 2019/4

Fue increíble! Los Darumas quedaron preciosos. Fui con mis hijos y lo disfrutaron bastante. Nos encantó

Robin 2019/3

The experience was very unique and intimate. The activities were fun and engaging. The fact that you get to keep your created daruma makes it very personal and worthwhile. Also make sure to check out the neighbouring temple and soba noodle restaurants, they are amazing.

MPE

This is a fantastic workshop to learn about making Chufo-style daruma. The instructor provided a great overview of the history and context of the daruma tradition. She provided a wide array of traditional and modern Japanese fabrics to choose from, explained the different artistic approaches to cloth-based daruma, and also had a wide selection of references on hand for inspiration. They went above and beyond by providing a translator, as well as tea and snacks while we waited for the dolls to dry. Highly recommended!

layrei

I booked two experiences with teacher to create one Chofu daruma and one mini daruma doll. Staff from Wasabi (eight one management) helped me arrange these two lessons in one day. This is one of the most memorable experience and meaningful souvenirs I got from my previous trip in Tokyo. I had great conversations (in Japanese, but they can arrange a translator if needed) with teacher. We stayed together in her cozy shop on a rainy day, surrounded by darumas she produced. Even if you are not taking the workshop, the tiny store is worth a visit and soba in the surrounding area has good reputation. I had to take a taxi from the station, instead of Bus, otherwise I was going to be late to the workshop and I was coming from another experience with Wasabi which was at another location.Teacher takes really nice photos and videos of your process. Afterwards, we had tea and snack, and even played games together! I would love to buy that board game that she made herself. Highly recommend this experience!

hjxu

Daruma was fun to make and a meaningful souvenir to bring home. The local area is very beautiful, and
teacher was kind enough to recommend what to do in the area.