1.5 hour private experience
Location: Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
Trained in calligraphy from childhood under her grandmother and parents, Saisui-san went on to study typography and design before earning her calligraphy master certification and now leads one of Niigata’s most established family calligraphy schools. Beyond teaching, her work spans logo design, ink painting, performance, and exhibitions—including contributions to the Tokyo Olympics cultural program. Join her in her studio to experience the living art of Japanese calligraphy firsthand.
What you’ll do
Learn calligraphy from a 3rd-generation calligraphy master. Visit her studio in Niigata City and discover the basics of calligraphy in a classroom setting. After practicing the basics, select your own kanji to create a calligraphy artwork to take home. If interested, turn your calligraphy into an authentic hanging scroll to display in your house.
Availability
Everyday except Fridays
Session 1 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:00)
Session 3 (15:30 - 17:00)
Who can attend
Children must be 4+
What to wear
Clothing that you don't mind getting dirty
Access
50 minutes by car from Niigata Station
Inked inspiration
Flowing ink on crisp white paper—Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, is an art where movement, silence, and spirit meet. Introduced from China during the Tang Dynasty, calligraphy in Japan gradually took on a character of its own, weaving together the elegance of kanji and kana with uniquely Japanese practices. More than mere technique, calligraphy is an art of discipline and philosophy: each stroke made with intention, with no opportunity for correction—a trait which resonated deeply with Zen Buddhism practitioners who adopted it as a form of meditative practice. While calligraphy encompasses many styles, every master begins with the fundamentals. In Niigata, join a 3rd-generation professional calligrapher operating together with her family for a comprehensive introduction to calligraphy. An award-winning calligraphist with an additional background in both design and typography, she'll demonstrate the beauty that blooms from ink to the page. Under her guidance, learn the foundational techniques of brush, ink, and form, while also exploring the cultural spirit that has made calligraphy a timeless Japanese art.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
