Mini Origami Lamp and Mizuhiki knot Belt Workshop in Ueno

Paper magic starts with your hands.

In Ueno, Tokyo, this 2.5-hour private workshop turns washi paper into a mini origami lamp with warm light, and also has you tie a mizuhiki knot belt ornament you can actually wear. The class is built around careful, step-by-step folding, gluing, and knotting, so you leave with items that look handcrafted, not like a rushed souvenir.

I especially like the personalized instruction and the chance to ask questions during the session with Kaho Shinoda guiding the group. I also love that you take home two handmade pieces, a lampshade-style origami lamp and a mizuhiki belt ornament, plus Japanese sweets and Japanese paper tea after you finish.

The main drawback is that the work needs fine-detail focus, so this is not suitable for young children. There is also a cat in the workshop, so if you have allergies, tell the team ahead of time.

Key Things I’d Prioritize Before You Go

• Private class, not a crowded scramble: it’s set up so only your group participates, with time for questions.
• Two take-home crafts: you make both an origami lamp lampshade and a mizuhiki knot belt ornament.
• That bellows lamp effect: you fold washi into a bellows-like shape that looks like a closed book when shut.
• Mizuhiki knots with meaning: you learn that the knots carry significance, which is why they work so well for gifts.
• Japanese paper tea and sweets included: you get a tea experience served with sweets at the end of class.

Mini Origami Lamp and Mizuhiki Belt, What You’re Making in Ueno

This is a craft workshop in the Ueno area built around two traditional Japanese paper arts. The first half is an origami lamp made from washi, with folding and gluing that creates a bellows-like structure. You then insert a small lamp inside so the paper “pages” glow with a gentle, warm light.

The second craft is a mizuhiki knot ornament for a belt, using paper strings made from twisted washi wrapped with film or nylon. Mizuhiki gets used as decorative cord in Japan, often for gifts and special occasions. The workshop also explains that different knots have meanings, which helps you tie something that feels purposeful rather than random.

Where 和紙ラボTOKYOJapan Fits Into Your Day

You meet at 和紙ラボTOKYOJapan, 3-chōme 30-2 Ichikawa Building 1F, Taitō City. It’s near public transportation, which matters in Tokyo where getting from point A to point B can eat up your energy.

This class is also a great way to spend a couple hours away from the more crowded street scenes that people often notice in Ueno and nearby areas. When you’re in a craft studio, the pace changes. You sit, focus, and work with your hands instead of stepping over the next tourist lineup.

The session runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, and it ends back at the meeting point. It’s the kind of plan you can slot into an afternoon without needing a big transportation marathon.

Inside the Workshop: Private Instruction With Room for Questions

This is a private tour/activity, so you are not competing for attention. You get a guide document that covers the basics of washi paper so you understand what you’re working with, not just how to fold.

I like the teaching style here because it isn’t just hands-off demonstration. With Kaho Shinoda guiding, the tone is patient and focused, and that matters when you’re doing precision work like folding thin paper, aligning edges, and gluing neatly. In particular, the class format gives you time to ask questions if something feels off mid-step, instead of waiting until the end.

They also come prepared with the materials you need, which helps a lot if you’re not used to craft tools. You show up ready to make, then the workshop handles the rest.

Step-by-Step: Folding the Washed Paper Origami Lamp Lampshade

The origami lamp is the centerpiece project, and it follows a clear workflow. You start with handmade washi paper and fold it into a shape that’s bellows-like. That bellows structure is the key to the lamp’s look because it creates soft layers when it’s lit.

Next comes gluing and assembly. Your job is to keep folds crisp and the shape aligned as you build the bellows form. If you’ve never worked with washi before, treat it like a delicate material that rewards slow, careful movements.

Then you insert a small lamp inside the bellows-like washi paper. When you close the structure, the shape looks like a closed book, which is a fun detail because it means the lamp has two personalities. It can be folded shut like a decorative object, then opened for gentle light when you want the mood.

I also like that the workshop emphasizes the craft techniques rather than pushing you through. The goal is a piece you’ll recognize as yours, down to the way the paper panels fold and hold their shape.

Tying Mizuhiki Knot Belt Ornaments, More Than Decorative String

After the origami lamp lampshade, you move to mizuhiki knotting. Mizuhiki uses twisted washi paper as the core, then wraps it with nylon or film, which is what gives it both visual style and strength.

You’ll learn how to tie a knot ornament meant to work for a belt. That belt detail is nice because it turns mizuhiki from “cool knot” into something you can use. It also makes the craft feel less like a one-time keepsake and more like an item that belongs to your everyday travel memories.

The workshop also teaches why knots matter. Each knot has meanings, and knowing that is part of what makes mizuhiki such a good gift craft. Even if you never plan to tie knots at home, you leave with a story you can tell, plus a piece that looks intentional when you wear or display it.

The Japanese Paper Tea Moment After You Finish

Once you wrap up both crafts, you get Japanese sweets and tea. A standout detail here is the Japanese paper tea that’s included, described as not offered elsewhere.

This end-of-session pause is more than a snack. It gives your hands and brain a breather after fine work, and it’s a nice reset before you head back out into Tokyo. It also gives you time to look at what you made, spot little details in the paper folds, and feel proud of finishing something from start to finish.

If you like cultural food pairings, this part is worth paying attention to. You are not just eating because it’s included, you’re eating because you finished a craft, then you get a tea experience that fits the theme of the workshop.

Materials, Take-Home Value, and Why the Price Can Make Sense

The price is $107.50 per person for about 2.5 hours, and the value comes from what’s included. You get materials for both projects, you get private instruction, and you get both the lamp and the mizuhiki ornament to take home. On top of that, Japanese sweets and tea are included.

If you’ve ever bought a decorative paper souvenir in Tokyo, you know how easy it is to end up with something that looks nice but feels generic. Here, you create two items that reflect your own folding and knotting. That personalization is the real value driver.

Also, the workshop is designed for travelers who want something transport-friendly. A mini lamp lampshade and a belt ornament are compact compared to larger crafts, and you can bring them home without turning your suitcase into a fragile puzzle.

Who Should Book This Workshop, and Who Might Want a Different Plan

This experience is best if you like crafts and you don’t mind precision work. The workshop is not suitable for young children because the tasks require detailed skills, and washi folding and knotting are the kind of work that punishes rushing.

You’ll probably enjoy this most if:

• you want a break from walking all day and you like doing something hands-on
• you enjoy traditional Japanese paper arts like washi and mizuhiki
• you want a take-home souvenir with real effort behind it

If you’re the kind of person who prefers very casual activities with no fine motor work, you might find this too focused. It’s also worth noting that there is a cat in the workshop, so if you have allergies, plan for that first.

Practical Tips So Your Paper Projects Go Smooth

This workshop requires good attention, so I suggest you treat it like a small appointment, not an activity you multitask around. Wear comfortable clothes, and keep your schedule light around the class so you’re not rushing in from sightseeing.

A smart mindset for washi is slow and steady. Thin paper can shift if you force it, so move patiently. If you make a mistake, this kind of guided workshop is usually set up so you can recover and keep going, and you’ll be better off asking questions right away instead of trying to quietly fix everything alone.

Finally, if you care about allergies, confirm the cat detail before you arrive. It’s listed for a reason.

Should You Book the Ueno Origami Lamp and Mizuhiki Workshop?

If you want a Tokyo activity that’s calm, hands-on, and genuinely creative, I’d book this. The combination of a warm-light origami lamp and a mizuhiki knot belt ornament gives you two souvenirs that feel personal, and the private instruction helps you get to a result you can be proud of.

Skip it if you need something child-friendly, you hate fine-detail work, or you have allergy concerns related to the resident cat. Otherwise, this is a thoughtful way to spend time in Ueno with a real Japanese craft focus, then walk away holding objects that are unmistakably handmade.

FAQ

How long is the workshop?

It takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What will I make during the class?

You will make a mini origami lamp lampshade from washi paper and also create a mizuhiki knot belt ornament.

Is this a private class?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Is the workshop suitable for children?

No. The workshop requires detailed skills and is not suitable for young children.

Will there be food and tea included?

Yes. You’ll get Japanese sweets and Japanese paper tea at the end of the session.

Is there a cat at the workshop?

Yes, there is a cat in the workshop. If you have allergies, you should inform the team.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at 和紙ラボTOKYOJapan, 110-0016 Tokyo, Taito City, Taitō, 3-chōme 30２ 市川ビル 1F.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.