5 Make-Your-Own Experiences in Tokyo

You can learn how to do a lot of things in Tokyo, so why not give something unusual a try?

Happy New Year! It’s 2025, and who wouldn’t like to start the new year with some personalized fun. Anyone can go shopping and buy a pre-made product. However, there’s something that much more satisfying about learning how to make it yourself. Create an item that suits your personality to a tee with these make-your-own experiences in Tokyo.

1. Make Your Own Perfume

© Photo by My Only Fragrance

My Only Fragrance is a perfume store chain where you can custom blend your own scent. Their collection features perfume oils, including unique scents only available in Japan. An experienced staff member will assist you during a 30-minute session to mix the perfect combination. You can name your creation and take it home in a 50ml or 100ml bottle.

Be sure to book in advance, as English might not be available at all locations. However, the effort is worth it to create your own signature scent.

• Price: ¥5,500-¥7,000
• Address: Laforet Harajuku B0.5, 1−11−6 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

2. Make Your Own Lipstick

© Photo by Lip_Room

Much like making your own perfume, not many people would consider custom-designing lipstick. At Lip_Room in Shibuya, a 45-minute lesson enables you to mix lipstick in your own custom color, add a scent and package it in one of several lipstick tube options. These lessons must also be booked in advance and cost ¥11,000 for two people. If you want to take the lesson alone, it will still cost you the same price, but you’ll be able to make two lipsticks for yourself.

Please note that on days when Lip_Room doesn’t have any reservations, their store may not be open, so booking ahead of time is a must.

• Price: ¥11,000 (for two people or two lipsticks)
• Address: 601 Miyamasuzaka Toyo Estate, 1-12-12 Shibuya, Shibuya, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

3. Make Your Own Pen

© Photo by Ancora

Perhaps you prefer stationery to toiletries. If so, why not design a custom fountain pen for yourself or a loved one? At Ancora in Ginza, you can build a pen with silver or gold hardware. Choose from 10 shades for the case and cap body, along with black, blue-black or blue ink.

You don’t need to book in advance, but it gets crowded on holidays and weekends. Therefore, go early to take your time and enjoy the process.

• Price: ¥4,400
• Address: 6-4-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

4. Make Your Own Washi Paper

© Photo by Hinode Washi Workshop

Fountain pens might not be your thing, but if you’re interested in Japanese paper, then one of the various workshops at Hinode Washi Workshop at Musashi-Itsukaichi Station is right up your alley.

Prices vary depending on which workshop you book in advance. There are paper fans, mini lanterns, you can work with the raw materials and even take part in seasonal combination events as well. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend about ¥10,000 per person on a workshop. Groups, of course, are cheaper, so if you’d like to go with a group of friends, you can save money that way as well.

If you don’t speak Japanese, bring translation software or have a Japanese speaker join you in the workshop. Only paid participants may attend, so bringing a translator solely for language services is not allowed.

• Price: Varied
• Address: 6436 Okuno, Hinode-machi, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

5. Make Your Own Pottery

© Photo by Uzuma Kotogei

At Uzuma Kotogei in Mita Station near Tokyo Tower, you can learn the basics of making your own pottery. These lessons must be booked in advance as well.

The beginner lessons take roughly an hour, wherein you’ll learn the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel and hand-forming a design, then choose one of your works to keep, select the glaze and have your pottery fired for you. You can also take wheel-only or hand-forming lessons as well.

The entire process of finishing a pottery piece takes three to four weeks. You’ll be contacted when it’s ready. You can have your piece shipped for a fee or pick it up in person if available. Firing fees are separate and depend on the size of the piece. The basic cost for each lesson is ¥3,960 per person.

• Price: Varied
• Address: 3-29-11 Shiba, Minato, Tokyo (Google Map Link)

More Options

If you can’t decide between the above or would like to try several Japanese crafts instead, Wabunka Enterprise’s experiences come highly recommended. There’s calligraphy, Zen meditation, chopstick making, traditional weaving and so much more. If you’re interested in various other customizations you can do, check out our article on shops that customize products in Tokyo.

Have fun exercising your creative mind with these make-your-own experiences in Tokyo!