Things To Do in Japan: July 2026
English Rakugo in Asakusa, indigo dyeing, Kintsugi pottery repair, bilingual improv comedy, and knife sharpening in Kyoto.
July brings a full calendar of hands-on workshops and bilingual nightlife across Japan. This month: two English Rakugo shows in Asakusa, an indigo dyeing workshop, a Kintsugi pottery repair class in Kichijoji, bilingual improv comedy in Ebisu, a chopstick carving experience near Omotesando, and a knife sharpening workshop in Kyoto. Beyond the cities, join an incense-making project in Niigata, a mizuhiki accessory workshop in Kobe, and a calligraphy class in Yokohama.
🗼TOKYO EVENTS
The 23rd Oedo English Rakugo Show
Sunday, July 12 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Taito-ku · ¥1,800 advance / ¥2,000 door
Enjoy six rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling) performances in English at this rare evening of laughter and culture. Rakugo is a Japanese traditional art of storytelling with 400 years of history, a treasure trove of laughter, tears, and terror best shared with the world. Whether you're visiting Japan, living here, or simply love cross-cultural experiences, come enjoy laughter that bridges languages.
The 19th English Rakugo Wonderland
Sunday, July 26 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Taito-ku · ¥1,000
Enjoy six more rakugo performances in English, including tales like The Toad Oil Salesman and Hoichi the Earless. Rakugo is a Japanese traditional art of storytelling with 400 years of history, a treasure trove of laughter, tears, and terror best shared with the world. Whether you're visiting Japan, living here, or simply love cross-cultural experiences, come enjoy laughter that bridges languages.
Japanese Indigo Dyeing Workshop in Asakusa
Friday–Saturday, July 17–18 · Sessions at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:30 PM
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, 7th Floor, Taito-ku · ¥3,000
Experience the beauty of JAPAN BLUE in the heart of Asakusa. This workshop introduces Busyuu-Sho-Aizome, an authentic indigo dyeing tradition from Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture. Guided by skilled artisans, you'll create your own indigo-dyed handkerchief to take home the same day, while learning about the history, techniques, and cultural significance of Japanese indigo.
Mini Kamenoko Tawashi Keychain Workshop
Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26 · Sessions at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 PM
TIMELESS COMFORT Kitchen & Dining, Tokyo Midtown, Minato-ku · ¥990
Kamenoko Tawashi Nishio Shoten, a scrubbing brush manufacturer founded in 1907, hosts a workshop to make a Mini Kamenoko Tawashi Keychain at TIMELESS COMFORT Kitchen & Dining Tokyo Midtown. Combine colorful parts to create your own original keychain in this easy workshop, open to parents and children alike.
Shojin Ryori Live Kitchen with Kunie Hasutani
Tuesday, July 14 · Lunch 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Dinner 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
KLASS, Bunkyo-ku · ¥4,500 general, ¥6,000 full-day pass
Join a Live Kitchen class with Kunie Hasutani, who has preserved the tradition of Shojin Ryori, Buddhist temple cuisine passed down through generations at a historic temple north of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. This class is designed to be enjoyed even without an English interpreter, whether you join for the cooking process or just the meal.
TSUNAGARI HUB: Movie x Anime x Game Meetup + Networking Party
Sunday, July 12 · Meetup 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Networking Party 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Near a train station in Chiyoda Ward (details sent after registration) · ¥3,000 general / ¥2,000 student
Meet new friends through your shared love of movies, anime, and games, with a 30-second self-introduction, a top-three favorites ranking, trivia, and genre-based networking. Participants from overseas are expected, so you can enjoy discussing Japanese and international works across generations, nationalities, and professions. You're welcome to join or leave at any time.
Beer & Comedy: English & Japanese Improv
Sunday, July 26 · Doors 7:00 PM, Show 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
What the Dickens!, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku · ¥2,500, includes one drink
Pirates of Tokyo Bay have been performing short, improvised comedy in Japanese and English for over a decade at their monthly show at What the Dickens! in Ebisu. Every show uses Japanese and English equally, with the premise of each scene explained clearly no matter which language is used. All tickets include one drink, and food can be ordered at the venue.
Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Craft Experience
Daily sessions, 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Craft Experience, Shibuya-ku, near Omotesando Station · ¥3,300
Enjoy the natural fragrance of wood while crafting your own original chopsticks using a traditional hand plane, or kanna. Even first-time visitors can relax and enjoy the experience, with English-speaking staff always available. You can take your finished chopsticks home the same day.
MIDORI.so Weekend Club: Kintsugi
Sunday, July 19 · 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
MIDORI.so Kichijoji, Musashino City · ¥5,000, cash on-site
Learn Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold or silver, in this weekend workshop. Simplified synthetic lacquer allows for a same-day repair, while genuine lacquer offers a more durable, natural finish over a longer process. As your skills improve, you might go on to repair a friend's pottery or aim for an exhibition.
⛩️ KYOTO EVENTS
Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto: Knife Sharpening Workshop
Tuesday, July 21 or Saturday, July 25 · 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto Experience Lab, Nakagyo-ku · ¥5,000, ages 18+
Bring your dull kitchen knife back to life with five simple tips taught by a professional knife specialist from Kai Corporation. A combination sharpening stone is included and yours to take home, and on-site English interpretation is provided. Bring your own Western-style double-bevel knife, or use one provided at the workshop.
🗾 BEYOND TOKYO, KYOTO & OSAKA
Mizuhiki Accessory Workshop at Kitano Medium House, Kobe
Saturday–Sunday, July 11–12 · Sessions from 10:15 AM to 4:00 PM
Pearl House Kitano Medium, Chuo-ku, Kobe · ¥4,500
Part of the Summer Attire Exhibition at the newly reopened Pearl House Kitano Medium House, this workshop teaches how to make earrings and clip-on earrings using mizuhiki, the decorative cords used for congratulatory envelopes. Choose from two knot styles, Ichimatsu or a variation of the Awaji knot, and pick your favorite color combination on the day.
Hong Kong House Incense Workshop: "Nature Blessing"
July 18, 19, 20, 25 & 26 · 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Kamigo Clove Theatre restaurant, Tsunan · Free
"Nature Blessing" is a project that explores the quiet power of scent, using local plants collected in Hong Kong and Tsunan to create cone-shaped incense that fuses the essence of both landscapes. By making your own incense and letting your senses be soothed by its fragrance, you can reconnect with nature. Reservations are accepted for the 3:30–4:00 PM session; no reservation is required from 4:00–5:00 PM.
7artscafe Saturday Morning Education Program: Calligraphy
Saturday, July 11 · 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
7artscafe, Naka Ward, Yokohama · ¥3,500, includes supplies
Experience the beauty of Japanese calligraphy with master artist Kumiko Hamilton, learning brush techniques and kanji principles in a hands-on setting held in English and Japanese. This month's theme, "The Peak of Summer," uses bold, refreshing brushstrokes to study the kanji for summer, sun, coolness, and sea. The class includes a 7artscafe signature smoothie and all calligraphy supplies.
Visiting Japan? Peatix connects you to English Rakugo, hands-on craft workshops, bilingual comedy nights, and traditional culture experiences that locals attend all over the country.
Follow Peatix on Instagram and TikTok, or visit our website to discover Japan events locals love.
