ZEN CRAFTWORKS

Paint your own Daruma

LOADING FILM
A Takasaki Daruma artisan painting a Daruma

Shape a memory.
Shape a wish.
With your own hands.

Learn the story behind Takasaki Daruma, choose your color, and bring your own design to life. You leave with something you made yourself, and a piece of Kyoto with it.

THE EXPERIENCE

How it unfolds

Takasaki Daruma at Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple

01

Discover

Learn the history and symbolism of Takasaki Daruma, and the techniques artisans have passed down for generations.

A guest painting a yellow Daruma

02

Paint

With guidance from our staff, layer color and line to create a Daruma that is entirely your own.

A guest painting one eye on a Daruma

03

Make a wish

Write down what you're hoping for, paint in one eye, and entrust it to the Daruma.

A ZEN CRAFTWORKS drawstring bag holding a finished Daruma

04

Take it home

Your finished Daruma comes home with you, as a reminder of the wish you made.

BY RESERVATION ONLY

Workshop

Step inside a century-old machiya, a traditional Kyoto townhouse.
Learn the story behind the craft, paint your own Daruma, and take it home after this 90-minute workshop.

The machiya that houses MICASADECO & CAFE Kyoto, seen from the street

MICASADECO & CAFE Kyoto · 2F workshop space

The workshop takes place in a quiet, second-floor room inside the century-old machiya. In a small group, our staff guides every guest step by step, so no painting experience is needed.

Address
480 Umeya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8057, Japan
Venue
MICASADECO & CAFE Kyoto, 2F
Workshop times
– – –
Painting a wish in gold on a blue Takasaki Daruma
A child painting a pink Takasaki Daruma
Entrance and noren curtain at MICASADECO & CAFE Kyoto
Painting a wish in gold on a blue Takasaki Daruma
A child painting a pink Takasaki Daruma
Entrance and noren curtain at MICASADECO & CAFE Kyoto
Planning decorations for a Takasaki Daruma with a design sheet
Painting details around the eyes of a Takasaki Daruma
A child finishing a green Takasaki Daruma
A blue Takasaki Daruma decorated with flowers
A red Takasaki Daruma decorated with a pine motif
Painting an eye on a blue Takasaki Daruma
Wooden PAINT YOUR OWN DARUMA WORKSHOP sign

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Common questions before your visit.

01 Can I join if I have no painting experience?

Yes. Before painting directly on your Daruma, you’ll have time to try out the eyebrows, mustache, kanji, and your own design on a practice sheet, so first-time painters can enjoy the experience with confidence.

02 Can I choose the color of my Daruma?

Yes. You can choose one Daruma in any of six colors.

03 How long does the workshop take?

The workshop takes about 90 minutes, including check-in, photos, and packing your Daruma to take home.

04 Can I take my finished Daruma home the same day?

Yes. After we take a photo of your finished Daruma, we'll place it in our own ZEN CRAFTWORKS drawstring bag for you to take home that day.

05 Can I join without a reservation?

We do not accept inquiries by phone. Please visit the venue directly; if space is available, you’ll be able to join as a walk-in.

ACTIVITIES

Pop-up events

From bookstores and department stores to community festivals,
we bring Daruma painting beyond our Kyoto workshop.

WORKSHOP FILM ZEN CRAFTWORKS
A guest painting a Takasaki Daruma at the Kyoto machiya venue
PAINTING SCENE KYOTO

UPCOMING / 2026

  1. UPCOMING

    Yurindo · Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi

    Kids' Summer Market

  2. UPCOMING

    Kyoto Takashimaya

    Summer Festival

  3. UPCOMING

    Yurindo · Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi

    Anniversary Fair