Asakusa Chopstick Making Workshop Tokyo

The chopstick workshop in central Asakusa

The workshop sits on the 10th floor of the Asakusa Tosei Building in central Asakusa, a few minutes on foot from Asakusa Station and the Kaminarimon gate of Senso-ji Temple. The room is bright and organised like a craftsman's studio, with workbenches, clamps, planes and rows of wood samples, and the staff set everything up so that beginners feel at ease from the first minute.

Asakusa has been a centre of Edo craft for centuries, with workshops making combs, fans, brushes and wooden utensils, so making chopsticks here feels fitting. If you are searching for a chopstick making workshop in Tokyo that fits into a sightseeing day, this one is ideal: sessions start every hour, the making takes around 35 minutes, and you can walk straight on to the temple afterwards.

Choosing your wood and the culture of Japanese chopsticks

The first step is choosing your wood. Each type has its own colour, grain, weight and scent, from pale, light woods to deep reddish and dark tones. Two standard woods are included, and premium woods can be chosen for an extra charge if one catches your eye. The staff explain the character of each piece so you can pick one that suits your hand and taste.

While you choose, you learn why Japanese chopsticks look different from others: they are usually shorter and taper to a fine point, ideal for lifting rice and separating delicate fish from the bone. In Japan many people own a personal pair used only by them, and chopsticks are a classic gift for weddings and birthdays. Making your own pair is a small way to take part in that tradition.

Shaping with a Japanese hand plane, sanding and oil finishing

The heart of the workshop is shaping. Your wood is held in a simple jig, and you pull a kanna, the Japanese hand plane, along it, shaving off thin curls with each stroke. Unlike Western planes, the kanna is pulled toward you rather than pushed. Little by little the square stick becomes a slim, tapered chopstick with comfortable edges, and the staff check the thickness and balance as you go.

Next you smooth the surface with sandpaper, working through finer grits until the wood feels silky. A natural oil is then rubbed in, which instantly deepens the colour and makes the grain stand out. Optional engraving of your name or a short word is available for an extra charge. Your finished pair is wrapped for you to carry away the same day.

Asakusa around the workshop: Senso-ji and Kappabashi

The workshop is perfectly placed for exploring Asakusa. Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, is a short walk away, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the lively Nakamise shopping street. Many visitors see the temple in the morning, then come to make chopsticks in a late-morning or early-afternoon session when the streets are busiest.

About fifteen minutes on foot to the west lies Kappabashi, the kitchenware street where Tokyo chefs buy knives, pots, lacquer bowls and plastic food samples. It is the perfect place to find chopstick rests or a case for your new pair. Across the Sumida River rises Tokyo Skytree. With all this nearby, the workshop is an easy, rewarding hour in a full Asakusa day.