Abracadabra Tours
Visit a lantern workshop with over 120 years of history and create your own traditional Edo lantern under the guidance of certified artisan Fukuo Hayakawa. From beginner-friendly painting options to more advanced freehand calligraphy, you can make a one-of-a-kind lantern suited to your skill level and style.
Options
The Highlight
〇 Choose the experience that fits your skill level ・Beginner course: Work together to choose the characters or words you’d like on your lantern, then paint inside outlines prepared by the artisan. This option is easy to enjoy even for first-timers, with beautiful results. ・Intermediate course: Create your design from scratch by drawing your own characters or illustrations directly onto the lantern. Recommended for those who want a more hands-on, original experience. ・Choose between two lantern shapes: a rounded style or a long cylindrical style.
〇 Personalized designs for every guest ・Whether it’s your name or another meaningful phrase, we will help you decide what to write on your lantern. Our guide can also write your name in katakana and suggest suitable kanji or phrases. ・Around 10 different ink colors are available, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind lantern.
〇 Learn from a certified traditional artisan ・This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the few authentic Edo lantern craftsmen still active today. ・The artisan will carefully guide you through every step, making the experience enjoyable even for complete beginners.
〇 A practical and lightweight souvenir ・Edo lanterns are designed to fold flat, making them lightweight, durable, and easy to pack into a suitcase. ・Your completed lantern will be packaged in a dedicated box and handed to you on the spot.
〇 Includes a free LED light Traditionally, Edo lanterns were lit with candles. Each participant will receive a small battery-powered LED light to place inside the lantern and enjoy its warm glow at home.
The Experience
◆ About the workshop Hayakawa Lantern Shop: A traditional Edo lantern workshop Located just a 3-minute walk from Zoshigaya Station, Hayakawa Lantern Shop has been crafting Edo lanterns for more than a century. Alongside classic Edo lanterns featuring traditional Edo lettering believed to bring good fortune, the workshop also creates playful modern designs such as sake bottle-shaped lanterns, blending traditional craftsmanship with creativity.
◆ About the program ① Choose your lantern The experience begins with a simple introduction to the history and cultural role of lanterns in Edo-era Japan. An interpreter guide will be present, so international guests can participate with ease.
➁ Try your hand at lettering Choose between a beginner-friendly course where you color inside lettering prepared by the artisan and a more advanced course where you draw your own characters or design from scratch.
➂ Learn directly from the artisan The artisan will guide you through brushwork, lettering placement, ink techniques, and more. Even complete beginners can participate with confidence, and children are welcome as well.
➃ Enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional workshop Relax inside a long-running artisan workshop while talking with Mr. Hayakawa and viewing the many lanterns displayed throughout the studio.
Itinerary
- Meet your guide at Exit 1 of Tokyo Metro Zoshigaya Station. Please follow the Tokyo Sakura Tram sign and take the escalator up to street level. *It takes about 5 minutes to reach the exit from the ticket gates, so please plan accordingly.
- From there, walk together to the Hayakawa Lantern workshop (about 3 minutes on foot).
- Step inside a traditional workshop that has been operating for generations.
- Mr. Hayakawa will introduce the history of Edo lanterns and explain the lantern-making process. An interpreter guide will be there to assist throughout the experience.
- The lantern-making experience begins! First, choose your lantern shape: a rounded style or a long cylindrical style.
- Next, decide what you would like to write on your lantern. You can come with an idea in mind or decide during the workshop. If you’re unsure, the guide will happily help with suggestions.
- Choose whether you would like the artisan to prepare the draft and outlines for you, or if you’d prefer to draw everything yourself from scratch.
- Practice your design on paper before transferring it onto the lantern.
- Using a brush, carefully outline the lettering on the lantern.
- Fill in the outlined lettering with ink. Those choosing the beginner-friendly course will start from this step.
- If anything feels difficult, don’t worry—the artisan will guide and support you throughout the process.
- Coloring neatly inside the lines can be trickier than it looks! Take your time and enjoy the process.
- Your one-of-a-kind original Edo lantern is complete!
- Finish it off with an original Hayakawa Lantern Workshop sticker as a special keepsake from your experience.
- The lantern folds flat into a compact size and will be packed in a dedicated box so you can take it home right away.
- Around 10 different ink colors are available.
- Be sure to take a look at the many colorful lanterns displayed throughout the workshop.
- They're all original designs created by Mr. Hayakawa!
- The program will end at the workshop.
Add-on Items
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
・About request-based booking: This program uses a request-based booking system. Reservations are confirmed after checking workshop availability. We may ask to adjust the requested date or time. ・How we will contact you: Reservation confirmations and schedule changes will be sent to your registered email address. Please make sure to check your inbox. ・Recommended clothing: The lettering experience uses traditional pigments and ink. We recommend wearing clothes you do not mind getting dirty. ・Minimum number of participants: The experience requires a minimum of 2 participants. If the program must be canceled, we will notify you at least 3 days in advance. ・About the workshop environment: The experience takes place inside a long-running traditional workshop. The space is compact and preserves the atmosphere of a real working studio, allowing guests to experience an authentic artisan environment up close. ・Group bookings (7+ people): For groups of 7 or more, arrangements can also be made at a separate venue. Please feel free to contact us for details. ・Off-site workshops: Workshops at your preferred location are also available for events, corporate programs, and other group programs.
Important Booking Information
・We can provide English or Chinese-speaking staff; make sure to select your preferred language when making the reservation. ・Failure to arrive at the meeting point on time will be considered a no-show, and you may be charged a cancellation fee. ・We are not liable for any accidents or injuries that occur during the workshop, though compensation may be provided within the limits of the participation fee if the company is found at fault. We recommend that you consider purchasing insurance if you are concerned about possible accidents or injuries.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 3 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel on 2 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 60%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)