Vintage Coin Ring Making Workshop with Local Artisan Tokyo

The ring studio in Asakusa

The default option takes place in a bright studio on the 8th floor of a building in Asakusa, Taito City, only a few minutes from Senso-ji Temple and the Kaminarimon Gate. Asakusa was the leading entertainment district of old Edo, and its streets of craft shops, rickshaws and small family businesses still keep that traditional spirit, which makes it a fitting place to try a hands-on craft.

If you are wondering how to get to Asakusa, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line or the Tobu Skytree Line to Asakusa Station; the studio is a short walk from the exits. Arrive about 10 minutes early: guests who arrive more than 15 minutes late may be asked to reschedule, as the next class follows on. If Shinjuku suits your plans better, a second option on this page offers the same coin ring workshop at a studio near Shinjuku and Okubo stations.

Coin rings and the craft of Japanese metalwork

Turning coins into rings is an old tradition: sailors on long voyages are said to have shaped coins into keepsakes for loved ones, and the craft has since become a popular form of personal jewellery. In this workshop it meets Japan's long heritage of fine metalwork, from sword fittings to the carved ornaments of the Edo period, which prized patience, precision and respect for the material.

The class begins with the most enjoyable decision: choosing your coin. A selection of vintage coins from around the world is included, each with its own design, colour and story, and rare or premium Japanese vintage coins are available for an extra charge. Your instructor explains which coins suit which ring sizes, since the size, thickness and design of a coin affect how wide and large the finished band can be.

Punching, shaping and polishing your ring

With your coin chosen, the instructor shows you each professional tool in turn. First you punch a clean hole in the centre of the coin, then gradually shape and stretch it into a band, checking the size against your finger as you go. The original design of the coin stays visible on the inside or outside of the ring, depending on the technique, so every piece is different.

Next you add character with textures and finishes, from a matt brushed look to hammered patterns, and polish the edges smooth. A high-shine polish, engraving and special shapes are optional extras. The instructor guides every step, so beginners achieve a clean result, and couples often make matching pair rings side by side. In about 45 minutes your ring is ready to wear, and you leave with it the same day.

Things to do in Asakusa around the studio

Asakusa is one of the best areas of Tokyo to combine with a short workshop. Senso-ji, the oldest temple in the city, is reached through the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon Gate and along Nakamise Street, a lane of stalls selling rice crackers, sweets and traditional souvenirs. Early morning and evening are the best time to visit Asakusa and Senso-ji, when the crowds are lighter and the temple buildings are beautifully lit.

From the riverbank you can see Tokyo Skytree across the Sumida River, one of the tallest towers in the world, and Kappabashi Street, the kitchenware district, is a short distance west. Many guests book a ring class in the late morning, explore the temple and Nakamise afterwards and finish with a Sumida River cruise or the Skytree at sunset.