- Duration
- About 1.5 hours
- Group size
- 6–40 pax
- Cities
- Tokyo
- Indicative budget
- From ¥41,000 per person
The woodworker first introduces several Japanese woods, such as hinoki cypress, cherry or chestnut, and explains how they differ in density, scent, color and water resistance. Each participant chooses a wood and works a rough blank with a small Japanese hand plane, which cuts on the pull stroke rather than the push. The movement takes a few minutes to learn, but making two chopsticks of matching thickness and tip takes care.
Once the shape is right, the chopsticks are sanded through successive grits and protected with a food-safe oil or a suitable finish. Depending on the options chosen, the participant's name or a motif can be engraved at the end. The pair is presented in a gift box with a card describing the wood and how to care for it.
For a corporate group, the workshop works because it is hands-on and accessible, even for people who rarely work with their hands. Everyone progresses at their own pace while chatting with their neighbors at the bench. The result is a useful, personal object that doubles as an end-of-seminar gift and brings back the trip at every meal. It fits easily between two working sessions or early in the evening before a Japanese dinner.
Objectives
- Offer a hands-on activity accessible to every profile
- Encourage informal exchanges between participants from different teams
- Provide a useful, personalized gift made on site
How it works
- 1Welcome, introduction of the woodworker and the woods, with an interpreter.
- 2Demonstration of the Japanese hand plane and safety guidance.
- 3Shaping both chopsticks, with the woodworker and assistants moving between tables.
- 4Sanding, oil finish and optional engraving.
- 5Gift boxing and a group photo with the finished pairs.
Good to know
- In the studio: 6 to 15 people; for larger groups, the woodworker sets up with assistants in a hotel room, for up to 40 participants.
- Shavings and dust are limited, but casual clothes are best; aprons provided.
- Hand tools only, with close supervision, so it suits complete beginners.
- Gift box can carry the company name if ordered in advance.
- Indoor activity, not weather-dependent. The studio is in central Tokyo, 15 to 30 minutes from hotels in Ginza, Marunouchi or Shinjuku.
Indicative budget
From ¥41,000 per person (private session with gift box, small-group basis). Tiered group rates on request depending on headcount; engraving, interpreter and transfers optional.
Frequently asked questions
Do participants need woodworking experience?
No. The workshop is designed for complete beginners. The woodworker prepares the rough blanks in advance, and assistants help anyone who needs a hand with the finish.
Are the chopsticks dishwasher-safe?
No, like most solid wood chopsticks. Hand washing and quick drying are enough; the card in the gift box explains how to care for them.
Can the workshop be combined with other activities?
Yes. It lasts about 1.5 hours and pairs well with a sake tasting or a Japanese dinner where everyone can use their new chopsticks. For a large group, it can also rotate with another craft workshop.
Can the chopsticks be personalized with the company name?
Yes. Participants' names are engraved on site; the company logo or a message can be printed on the gift box if ordered about three weeks before the workshop.
