Christmas X Japanese

Workshops 2026

Nerikiri Experience Workshop – Christmas Edition

Discover the art of Japanese wagashi in this hands-on 2-hour workshop!

Learn about nerikiri, sweet bean paste (anko), and shaping techniques as you create four beautiful Christmas-themed nerikiri to take home. A delightful way to explore Japanese culture, embrace creativity, and enjoy the festive season!

Please note: Nerikiri dough will be provided; dough-making is not included.

Sessions:

10:30 am–12:30 pm

1:30 pm–3:30 pm

Fee: $130 per person

Age: 16+

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Create & Frame Your Origami Koi Fish by Chie-no-wa origami creations

Discover the elegance of origami koi in this hands-on workshop in Melbourne, where tradition meets creativity.

This session offers a slightly more advanced experience, ideal for those looking to refine their paper-folding techniques. That said, enthusiastic beginners are absolutely welcome, just a willingness to learn and enjoy the process. Guided by Chieko, a skilled and encouraging instructor, participants will receive step-by-step support throughout the workshop. Using vibrant, high-quality Yuzen Washi paper, you’ll learn to fold a graceful koi — a cherished symbol of perseverance and good fortune in Japanese culture. Each fold will be clearly explained, making the process both approachable and rewarding. Whether you’re expanding your origami repertoire or trying it for the first time, you’ll find this to be a mindful and enriching creative journey.

By the end of the session, you’ll have your own beautifully folded koi, ready to be framed and proudly displayed.

10:00 – 11:30am 12:00 – 1:30pm 2:00 – 3:30pm Age: 12+

Sumi-e Japanese ink art workshop by Junko Azukawa

Let’s experience Sumi-e Japanese ink art. Sumi-e is the ancient art of Japanese brush painting. There is much more to creating an image during the process of Sumi-e, it is also a meditative practice to explore and express your inner self.  You will learn to use different ink tones and brush techniques to create some simple but expressive paintings on Japanese paper, complete with a traditional red stamp, to take home. All the materials will be provided, and all ages are welcome 🙂

墨絵を体験して自分らしい作品をおもいっきり描いてみましょう。墨絵は日本の伝統芸術の一つで、花や山岳、鳥など自然のものを墨を使って描きます。

墨絵はシンプルな絵画芸術で、自分の心とゆっくり向き合う過程、自分らしさを表現することをとても大切にします。

このワークショップでは様々な墨の濃淡や筆使いを学びながら、かつ自己表現豊かに和紙に描きます。

道具は全てこちらで用意します。子供から大人まで、初心者の方も大歓迎です。

10:30am – 12:30pm

Hanko stamp carving workshop by Junko Azukawa

Let’s make your own signature stamp! The red stamps or seals are often seen in traditional Japanese artwork and documents. In this workshop, you will design and carve your own Hanko stamp. You can use it for your artwork, Christmas cards, as your business logo and more. Please bring your reading glasses if you use them. All materials will be provided. Suitable for people aged over 12.

自分だけのオリジナル篆刻印を作ってみましょう。伝統的な日本の美術や文書によく見られる赤い印は署名の代わりに使用されてきました。このワークショップでは、自分の印をデザインし、篆刻する方法を学びます。でき上がった篆刻印は自分の作品、写真、クリスマスカード、ビジネスのロゴなどに使用できます。

参加される方は、小さな印刀で小さな石を彫ることになりますので、読書用眼鏡をご使用の方は必ず持参してください。篆刻に必要な全ての材料、道具は全てこちらで用意します。12歳以上の方に適しています。

1:30pm – 3:30pm

KIMONO Craft By Sachi Japanese Handcrafts

Create your own piece of kimono history! In this workshop you’ll hand-sew your very own scrunchie
hair tie using exquisite vintage kimono fabric direct from Japan.

The workshop includes:
– sewing supplies to use on the day and take home with you afterwards
– extra fabric and elastic cord to make another scrunchie for yourself at home
– a cute mini pincushion souvenir
– access to an instructional video after the workshop
This workshop is suitable for everyone from complete beginners to intermediate sewers, ages 12
and up.

12:00-13:30

14:00-15:30

ビンテージの着物を素敵なアクセサリーに変身！
このワークショップでは、オリジナルのシュシュをゼロから手縫いをします。初心者から中
級までの、12歳以上の方が対象です。小さな裁縫セット（針、糸、手作りピンクッション）
と、自宅でもう一つのシュシュを作るための布とゴムをプレゼントします。

Mizuhiki Earrings and Necklace Workshop by Anna Konecny

Discover the beautiful Japanese art of Mizuhiki and create your own matching earrings and necklace using traditional decorative paper cords. Perfect for all skill levels, this hands-on workshop guides you through essential knots — including the Awaji and Plum knots — and lets you personalise your pieces with over 30 vibrant colours and a range of hardware options. What You’ll Get: Learn Awaji and Plum knots Make one pair of earrings + one necklace Choose from 30+ colours Select your preferred hardware Take home a 12-page instruction booklet

日本の伝統素材「水引」を使って、あなただけのイヤリングとネックレスを作るワークショップです。基本の結び方からていねいにお伝えするので、初めての方でも大丈夫。 30色以上の中から好きな色を選んで、自分らしいアクセサリーを一緒に作りましょう。

10:00~ or 14:00~

Shimenawa – Japanese New Year Wreath Workshop by Anna Konecny (Waiting list)

Celebrate the festive season with a creative cultural experience! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll make your own mini Shimenawa — a traditional Japanese New Year wreath — and decorate it in either a classic Japanese style or a festive Christmas theme. Perfect for all skill levels! What You’ll Get: Learn the meaning and tradition behind Shimenawa Make one wreath to take home Choose your decorations: Christmas or traditional Japanese All materials included

日本のお正月に飾る「しめ縄」を水引でつくるワークショップです。今回は、伝統的な紅白スタイルか、クリスマスらしい赤×緑のアレンジ、どちらか好きなデザインを選べます。 1時間で気軽につくれるので、季節の飾りづくりを楽しみたい方にぴったりです。

12：30-13：30

Matcha Cupping Workshop by Cha Haus

Cha Haus invites you to a special matcha-tasting experience featuring a curated selection of our matcha — from all-time classics to limited-batch varieties. Curious about the differences in quality, origin, and tasting notes? We’ll guide you through this sensory workshop where you’ll explore new flavours by blind-tasting matcha side by side, enjoying the process, and discovering the one that becomes your new favourite.

CHARISTA WORKSHOP – Matcha Strawberry Latte Ny Cha Haus

Join us for a Matcha Strawberry Latte Workshop and bring a touch of matcha magic to your holiday season!

This festive drink is sure to impress your guests and get you into the holiday spirit. As ambassadors of Japanese tea culture, we’re excited to make this special experience accessible, even if you’ve never tried matcha before.In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to create a beautiful, café-style matcha strawberry latte in just a few easy steps. Discover the ideal tea-to-water ratio, find the perfect milk to enhance flavors, and learn the optimal temperature to make your latte shine. With just a chasen (tea whisk) and a few ingredients you likely have at home, you’ll master the techniques to bring Japanese tea culture to your holiday celebrations.We’ll provide everything you need, along with some creative alternatives for traditional tools.

So, whether you’re already a matcha connoisseur or a beginner, come enjoy a festive afternoon and gain skills you can use all season long!

What’s Included:

Lesson on how to whisk matcha the right way
Make your own Matcha Strawberry Latte
Japanese confectionery
Matcha sample
Mini matcha shaker gift
Free drink voucher
10% discount coupon for shopping

11:30-12:30, 13:00-14:00, 14:30-15:30

Japanese ceramic (Bowl) design workshop by Kiku Pottery Studio

Let’s have fun decorating ceramics – BOWL

In this workshop, you can create your own original ceramic tea bowl, travel cup, or a pair of mini bowl. Each session offers a different item to make, so please choose the one you’d like to create and join accordingly. You’ll be decorating a bisque-fired piece handcrafted by Naoko in her own studio, using underglaze colors and a beautiful selection of handmade tissue transfers imported directly from Japan. Your creation will be professionally glazed, fired and delivered back to Japaneasy (or if you’d prefer, have it delivered to your home at the cost of shipping) around 4 weeks later, ready to use or gift to someone special!

age: 7+

Session 1 : 10:00 – 10:50 (Bowl)

Japanese ceramic (tea bowl) design workshop by Kiku Pottery Studio

Let’s have fun decorating ceramics – MATCHA TEA BOWL

In this workshop, you can create your own original ceramic tea bowl, travel cup, or a pair of mini bowl. Each session offers a different item to make, so please choose the one you’d like to create and join accordingly. You’ll be decorating a bisque-fired piece handcrafted by Naoko in her own studio, using underglaze colors and a beautiful selection of handmade tissue transfers imported directly from Japan. Your creation will be professionally glazed, fired and delivered back to Japaneasy (or if you’d prefer, have it delivered to your home at the cost of shipping) around 4 weeks later, ready to use or gift to someone special!

age: 7+

Session 2 : 11:30 – 12:20 (matcha tea bowl)

Japanese ceramic (Mamezara x 2) design workshop

Let’s have fun decorating ceramics! – MAMEZARA x 2

In this workshop, you can create your own original ceramic tea bowl, travel cup, or a pair of mini bowl. Each session offers a different item to make, so please choose the one you’d like to create and join accordingly. You’ll be decorating a bisque-fired piece handcrafted by Naoko in her own studio, using underglaze colors and a beautiful selection of handmade tissue transfers imported directly from Japan. Your creation will be professionally glazed, fired and delivered back to Japaneasy (or if you’d prefer, have it delivered to your home at the cost of shipping) around 4 weeks later, ready to use or gift to someone special!

age: 7+

Session 3 : 13:00 – 13:50 (Mamezara (mini bowl) x 2)

Japanese Pottery Workshop by Kiku Pottery Studio

In this workshop, you will learn how to make Japanese style pottery to create a cup and a mini bowl. Naoko will provide all the tools and clay. Your cup and mini bowl will be professionally trimmed, fired, glazed, and delivered back to Japaneasy (or if you’d prefer, have it delivered to your home at the cost of shipping) around 4 weeks later, ready to use or gift to someone special!

age: 15+

Session 4 : 14:30 – 15:45 (making teacup and mini bowl)

Let’s make Japanese traditional craft Tsumami zaiku

Would you like to try making traditional Japanese Tsumami Zaiku using chirimen fabric? TSUMAMI ZAIKU artist, Mayumi is going to have a workshop at the Japaneasy.

TSUMAMI means pinch and ZAIKU means craft. TSUMAMI ZAIKU is one of the traditional Japanese crafts born in the Edo Period, and is a decoration made by combining pieces of cloths cut into small squares which then we pinch with tweezers to make flowers.

More details are coming…!

Japanese Calligraphy on Shikishi

Japanese Calligraphy on Shikishi

Japanese calligraphy (書道, shodō), also called 習字 (shūji), is the art of creating beautiful and expressive characters using traditional tools.

Come and explore the art of Japanese calligraphy in a relaxed, hands-on workshop. Using brush and ink, you’ll learn how to write beautiful kanji characters and create your own piece to take home.

We can write your favorite word as a Christmas gift for your family or yourself. Your imagination, your creation!

No experience needed—just bring your curiosity!

[How it works]
・ Choose the kanji that resonates with you.
・ Practice writing the kanji on newspaper and hanshi (Japanese washi paper).
・ Create your final artwork on a shikishi board of your choice.
・ Add your name in Japanese as a personal touch.
・ Choose from several handmade stamps to give your piece a unique style.
・ Take your creation home and share the inspiration—or gift it to someone special!

10:00 / 10:30/ 11:00/ 11:30/ 12:00 / 12:30/ 13:00