Touch a tip of Japanese culture prior to your tour picking this online experience of Origami up. It is an art and a joy of paper folding which can be enjoyed by everybody interested in this oriental culture. Just with one hour workshop, you will be able to create your own Origami works such as a great samurai helmet, a pretty butterfly, a joyful jumping frog, a paper container for candies, and a traditional Japanese crane (orizuru) from square sheets of paper.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo (UTC +9hs)
Important preparation for the online workshop
Please prepare 1) ten or more origami sheets of approximately 150 to 200 mm (6" to 8") square, see note below, for each participant, 2) a pair of scissors, 3) bamboo skewers or toothpicks, 4) a flat surface such as a table or desk, 5) your hands, fingers, and nails washed and dried for the work, and 6) online communication facilities for ZOOM (please download its free application).
Note: Origami sheets may be available on an online sale, but if not, you can cut square sheets from regular-size sheets of paper such as A4, letter size, or legal size without using special tools, see the second photo at the top of this page. You can also cut out your origami sheets from wrapping paper and/or any other color or patterned paper. For multiple sheets, it is recommended to arrange a precisely cut cardboard template by using a set square/triangle, ruler, and utility knife, see the third photo.
90 minutes Origami workshop
The online workshop will start with a simple model, and proceed to more complicated and/or difficult ones following a program which will be discussed and agreed upon by both of us previously via the message box. You will enjoy your first Origami works, and complete several cute models by yourself.
You will have some very basic Japanese words and phrases which make your "real" tour to Japan more fruitful through the workshop too.
Review of the Workshop
After the workshop, you will receive original Origami recipes for the models you made during the workshop for your review. Make more Origami works recalling the workshop to improve your technique and to prepare for the second step.
Second Step in Tokyo, Japan
Visit Japan and be invited to my house in Tokyo for your second-step Origami workshop. You may select a regular tour, or I will customize a tour upon your request.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide/instructor fee
origami sheets and required tools
Starting time is flexible between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. in Japan time (UTC+9).
Please note that no summertime in Japan.
Children over 5 years old are recommended to participate with their parent(s) or supervisor.
The inbound tour has been resumed. Wearing a mask depends on individual decisions, and you can enjoy tours and cultural experiences in Japan now.
Hello! I’m Koichiro. Please call me “Yamasan”. It derives from my family name and my friends call me so.
I had been working for a machinery company as a project engineer and manager for mechanical and electrical construction projects both domestic and overseas for over 35 years. I recall my first overseas project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when I was 26, and the second was in Singapore. I visited many countries for surveys, meetings, commissioning, project handing over, and so on.
In 2014 at the age of 60, I decided to retire from the company and live the expected further 30 years of life with a new career and experiences. I, then, studied translation and guide interpretation. I passed the national examination for licensed guides (English) in 2015 and registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February 2016.
Until now, I have been guiding many beautiful guests mainly to popular sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Omote-Sando, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree, and also cultural experiences of Origami making, Furoshiki wrapping, and Sushi cooking.
I am happy that I can freely arrange a customized tour together with you, or can propose my tours to you. I want to show you some parts of daily Tokyo life and introduce you to Bunkyo City which is located in the heart of Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live a happy life now.
Now, we can tour around the world but have not yet overcome COVID-19 completely. Recently, the number of passengers wearing masks on public transportation in Tokyo reduced to some 40% but we should mind about it still. Please carry your mask to wear it where or when necessary. (April 2024, Yamasan)
Florin B.
Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
“Very good first day in Japan and Tokyo”
Yamasan guided us exceptionally well in our first contact with the city, the japonese culture and gardens. He sent us days before the tour plan, the interest sites and updated then a couple of times according to our interest. He was also very kind to come with us and help us solve a personal problem. We were very delighted with his services. Thank you, Yamasan!
Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your comment. It was a rainy day in Tokyo, and I was afraid that your first day here was not perfect. You, however, didn't complain about the rain at all during the tour and in your comment too. I was (and am still) very happy with your beautiful family, and hope you are continuously enjoying this first tour to Japan. Please contact me when you plan the second Japan tour. Will it be when your son graduates from the university?
“Day tour Tokyo”
Yamasan went beyond the call to insure the needs of my group. Traveling with 2 wheelchairs, he made sure to customize an itinerary that would fit out needs. He made sure everything was perfect.
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your quick and heartful comments. I was very happy with you and your beautiful family. Thanks to the best guests, the nice weather, pretty cherry blossoms, and the gentle driver, today's tour could be completed with the happy smile of everybody. Please enjoy your cruising tour with your splendid parents.
$58/ per group