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[Asakusa] BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa: the Culture Hub to Experience Tea Ceremony and Samurai Spirits in Tokyo
In January 2025, a new cultural hub opened in the heart of Asakusa: BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa, a place where visitors can explore Japanese traditions in an approachable, fully English-speaking setting. Designed for international travelers, families, and anyone curious about Japanese culture, the center brings multiple hands-on activities together—from a cheerful tea ceremony workshop to samurai swordsmanship, knife-making, and even creating your own yukata. With friendly bilingual staff, an indoor setting, and inclusive facilities, it’s quickly becoming a must-stop for travelers wanting an authentic yet relaxed cultural experience in Tokyo.
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From Samurai to Tea Ceremony — Japanese Cultural Experiences at BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa
Located just steps from Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori Shopping Street, BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa is an indoor venue which allows visitors to enjoy several experiences in one place without traveling across the city. The center was created to make cultural traditions feel welcoming and fun, by offering a lineup of cultural workshops that encourage participation rather than observation.
Visitors can dive into hands-on experiences that bring traditional cultures to life, from experiencing an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, learning archery and sword techniques inspired by samurai practices, to taking a meditative knife-making class or crafting a yukata from scratch with friendly hosts. Many activities run multiple times a day and last anywhere from one to three hours, making it easy to weave these workshops into a day of exploring local streets and shops.
All activities are conducted in English, with small group sizes that guarantee plenty of support and personalized attention. The bilingual crew—from Tokyo, Okinawa, and Saitama—speak fluent English, and many are learning additional languages such as French, Spanish, Korean, and German. Their warm, casual communication style sets the tone from the moment you arrive.
Designed with inclusivity in mind, BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa welcomes families of all ages and sizes. Activities can be tailored for children, toys are available for toddlers, and the experienced staff excels at adapting the pace to suit different age groups. The entire space features full wheelchair accessibility, including an elevator, barrier-free interior design, and accessible restrooms. Strollers are welcome throughout, and vegan options are available for select activities.
Experience Traditional Tea Ceremony in Asakusa that’s Relaxed and Flavorful
Among various activities, one stands out as the heart of the center: its joyful, interactive take on the traditional tea ceremony.
The one-hour “Friendly Japanese Tea Party with Sweets Making” experience (¥10,000) reimagines Japanese tea ceremony as something approachable, creative, and even playful. Instead of the highly formal style some travelers may expect, this workshop returns to tea’s early roots during the Heian period (AD 794 – 1185), when gatherings were lively and expressive.
Led by knowledgeable bilingual staff, the session includes a short, engaging introduction to the history of matcha and the meaning behind its gestures. Guests learn how the tea ceremony developed over time and why its movements remain so clean, minimalistic, and intentional. You’ll whisk your own bowl of matcha—practicing the smooth, precise motions behind preparing tea—before enjoying it alongside colorful wagashi (traditional sweets) you shape by hand.
The tone is relaxed: guests are encouraged to ask questions, take photos, laugh, and enjoy the hour as if participating in a cozy social gathering. If you’re looking for a hands-on cultural activity that blends taste, tradition, and conversation, this tea ceremony is the highlight of the center.
Craft Your Own Japanese Knife in a Hands-On Workshop
Another activity at BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa that stands out for its blend of craftsmanship and creativity is the Japanese knife-making workshop, featuring the uniquely Japanese kurouchi-bōchō blade.
This 90-minute experience (¥25,000) offers a calm yet engaging look into traditional Japanese knife culture. Instead of simply observing from the sidelines, participants get fully involved—selecting from up to five different knife types, sharpening their chosen blade, engraving their name in Japanese on a smooth magnolia handle, and attaching it with a hammer.
The atmosphere is focused but genuinely fun. Guests are provided with a traditional Japanese haori (kimono-style jacket) to protect clothes from accidental stains while adding an authentic layer to the experience. Staff members are attentive and interactive throughout, walking participants through each step: from sharpening the blade with care to engraving their name in Japanese characters on the handle. The handle is then attached by hand using a hammer—a surprisingly satisfying moment that connects you directly to centuries of Japanese craftsmanship.
By the end of the session, you’ll have created a fully functional, personalized knife that’s ready to take home. It even comes in aesthetic packaging, making it feel like both a souvenir and a story worth sharing!
More Experiences Worth Adding to Your Asakusa Itinerary
If you’re looking to explore even more traditions in a hands-on way, these additional activities are great choices.
Samurai Swordsmanship & Archery Adventure
This one-hour session introduces visitors to the spirit of the samurai through Bushido philosophy, traditional archery practice, and basic sword techniques. Guests try their hand at using a Japanese bow and practicing the controlled movements of a katana, guided by instructors who keep the experience supportive, energetic and beginner-friendly.
Design and Sew Your Own Yukata
In this private workshop, guests choose from beautiful fabrics and sew their own yukata—a casual, unlined summer kimono traditionally worn at festivals and hot spring towns. Participants learn each step at a comfortable pace, enjoying tea and snacks along the way. Once the yukata is complete, the streets of Asakusa—just downstairs—become a perfect backdrop for photos.
How to Book Your Japanese Culture Experience for a Day in Asakusa
Reservations at BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa can be made through the official website, where you can check real-time availability. Sessions are available throughout the day, and same-day bookings can be made up to an hour before each session. Walk-ins are also welcome when space is allowed.
Getting to BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa
It’s only a 4-minute walk from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa to BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa. Head toward the Asakusa Roku-ku entertainment district, follow the main street, and look for the Heiwa-Store Building. Take the elevator to the 5th floor, where the activity center is located.
Because the venue is located in one of Tokyo’s most walkable sightseeing neighborhoods, it pairs effortlessly with visits to Senso-ji Temple, strolling Nakamise-dori Shopping Street, savoring unadon grilled eel rice bowls, or exploring Asakusa Yokocho. Whether you’re planning an entire afternoon or looking for a spontaneous activity, the center fits naturally into any Asakusa itinerary.
BUB ACTIVITY CENTER Asakusa
Address: 5F Heiwa-Store Building, 2-6-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (class times vary by activity)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Access: about 2-minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station, or 7-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station
Website: https://bub-activitycenter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/BUB-Activity-Center-Asakusa/61568187819350/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubactivitycenter/
Writer
A curious sojourner, Lisa Wallin has lived in Japan for about 15 years, along with 7 other countries. She has an insatiable appetite for local narratives, with a focus on regional culture, crafts and food. When not chasing stories, she enjoys coffee, visiting shrines, and exploring the country both with and without her dogs.