Learn Ohashi Etiquette & Make Your Own Hashi！
Discover the Art of Japanese Chopsticks — Workshops for Everyone Visiting or Living in Japan
NPO Minnano Ohashi Project Bringing Japanese Culture to Life, One Pair of Chopsticks at a Time
Welcome to the World of Ohashi (お箸)
Chopsticks — known in Japanese as ohashi — are far more than a tool for eating. They are a window into Japanese culture, a reflection of the country’s deep respect for food, craftsmanship, and mindfulness at the table.
Whether you are visiting Japan for a few days or have made it your home, learning to use chopsticks properly opens a door to a richer, more genuine experience of Japanese daily life. At Minnano Ohashi Project, a non-profit organization based in Yokohama, we warmly welcome participants of all ages and backgrounds to join our hands-on workshops — in English.
Why Learn to Use Chopsticks the Japanese Way?
Many people pick up chopsticks and manage somehow — but did you know there is a graceful, correct way that Japanese people have passed down for centuries? Proper chopstick use is considered a sign of respect at the table and reflects one of Japan’s most cherished cultural values: shokuiku (food education) and the beauty of washoku (Japanese cuisine culture, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage).
In our workshops, you will discover:
- The history of chopsticks in Japan and how they differ from those in other Asian cultures
- The correct, comfortable way to hold and use chopsticks — step by step, at your own pace
- Table manners and chopstick etiquette (including the things you should never do, and why)
- How the right pair of chopsticks is chosen for your hand size — a concept unique to Japanese culture
- The cultural significance of chopsticks in Japanese celebrations, seasons, and daily rituals
Our Workshops for International Visitors & Residents
We offer two types of experiences, both designed to be welcoming, fun, and deeply informative for non-Japanese participants.
Workshop 1 — Ohashi Experience: How to Use Japanese Chopsticks
Perfect for: Tourists, short-term visitors, travelers wanting a memorable cultural experience
Duration: Approx. 90 minutes Language: English (Japanese instructor with English support) Group size: Up to 20 participants Location: Available at our Yokohama venue or as an on-site session at your hotel, school, or company
In this hands-on session, you will learn the fundamentals of chopstick technique through guided practice, fun exercises, and cultural storytelling. By the end of the class, you will be able to pick up even the trickiest foods — tofu, beans, and all — with confidence and elegance.
What’s included:
- Welcome introduction to Japanese chopstick culture
- Step-by-step technique coaching with a certified Hashiiku instructor
- Practice exercises using real Japanese foods (served or simulated, depending on venue)
- A takeaway mini-booklet on chopstick use and etiquette (in English)
- A short introduction to washoku table manners
This is a wonderful experience to add to your Japan itinerary — something to carry home not just as a memory, but as a genuine, lasting skill.
Workshop 2 — Make Your Own Chopsticks: A Craft Experience Rooted in Tradition
Perfect for: Tourists, families, long-term residents, corporate teams, school groups
Duration: Approx. 2 hours Language: English (Japanese instructor with English support) Group size: Up to 20 participants Location: Available at our Yokohama venue or as an on-site session
One of our most loved programs — in this workshop, you will craft your very own pair of chopsticks from natural wood, cut and sanded to fit your hand perfectly. In Japan, chopsticks are traditionally sized to the individual, and this experience brings that personal, artisanal tradition to life.
Under the gentle guidance of our instructor, you will:
- Learn how to measure and select the correct length for your hands
- Sand and shape your chopsticks to a smooth, comfortable finish
- Understand the types of wood and traditional materials used in Japanese chopstick making
- Hear about the cultural connection between natural materials and Japanese aesthetics (wabi-sabi, satoyama)
You leave with a one-of-a-kind, handmade pair of chopsticks — a meaningful souvenir that tells a story of Japanese craft and culture.
Workshop 3 — Living in Japan: Chopsticks, Manners & Japanese Table Culture
Perfect for: Expats, international families, foreign workers, anyone building a life in Japan
Duration: Approx. 2 hours Language: English (Japanese instructor with English support) Group size: Up to 15 participants
Moving to a new country means navigating a whole new world of unspoken customs. At the Japanese dinner table, chopstick etiquette plays an important social role — and getting it right helps you connect more deeply with colleagues, neighbors, and the people around you.
This session goes beyond the basics to explore:
- Formal and informal dining etiquette in Japan
- How chopstick customs differ in family, restaurant, and ceremonial settings
- Common mistakes made by non-Japanese residents — and how to avoid them gracefully
- Seasonal and ceremonial chopstick traditions (New Year’s iwai-bashi, formal dining, and more)
- How to choose and care for your own personal pair of chopsticks — a Japanese lifestyle essential
This workshop is also popular for international schools, corporate onboarding programs, and community events for newly arrived residents.
About Minnano Ohashi Project
We are an NPO (non-profit organization) based in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, dedicated to preserving and sharing Japan’s chopstick culture across generations and borders. Our certified Hashiiku (chopstick education) instructors have led workshops at major department stores, hotels, community centers, schools, and events across the Kanto region — including collaborations with Sogo Yokohama, Takashimaya, Hotel Okura Tokyo, and Hotel New Otani Makuhari.
We are proud members of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Let’s Wa-Gohan Project, and a registered Kanagawa SDGs Partner — committed to sustainability, cultural inheritance, and inclusive community building.
Our workshops are not just classes. They are an invitation to step inside Japanese culture, to feel it in your hands, and to carry a little piece of it with you wherever you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience with chopsticks? Not at all. Our workshops are designed for complete beginners. If you already have some experience, we will help you refine your technique.
Are the workshops available in English? Yes. Our instructors are supported by English-language materials, and sessions are conducted with clear, easy-to-follow guidance for non-Japanese speakers. Please contact us in advance for English-language booking.
Can I bring my children? Absolutely. Families with children are very welcome. The chopstick-making workshop is especially popular with kids aged 6 and above.
Can the workshops be arranged for groups or corporate events? Yes. We regularly conduct on-site workshops for company teams, hotels, international schools, and event organizers. Please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Where are you located? Our home base is in Totsuka, Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture), but we are also available for on-location workshops throughout the greater Tokyo and Kanto area.
Book a Workshop or Send an Enquiry
We would love to welcome you. Whether you are planning a single visit or looking for an ongoing cultural experience for your family or team, please feel free to reach out.
📍 NPO Minnano Ohashi Project Totsuka, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0815
🌐 https://minnano084.com/contactus/
“Through chopsticks, we share Japan.”
NPO法人みんなのお箸プロジェクトでは、「お箸の持ち方講座」や楽しい「自分の箸づくりワークショップ」の実施を通じて、世代を越えてつながりあい、和文化を知り、食との向き合い方や食事の作法を伝えていく活動をしています。
出張講座やイベントのご依頼はお気軽にお問い合わせください。