Just a short walk from Asakusa’s Senso‑ji, Miharu is a cosy lampwork glass studio where you can try making traditional tombo‑dama beads. It’s a quick, beginner‑friendly craft experience that fits perfectly between sightseeing stops. Here’s a recap of my visit.
My tombo‑dama making experience
The workshop began with choosing colours and patterns from a display of sample beads. The basic course includes making three beads — one plain bead followed by two patterned ones of your choice. I chose:
- A plain red bead — with plans to eventually turn it into a Japanese‑style hair stick.
- A blue bead with dots.
- A green bead with stripes.
The instructor explained each step clearly, and even as a beginner I felt comfortable. The only real challenge was keeping the beads evenly round while the glass softened in the flame — a moment that’s equal parts concentration and “please don’t wobble.”
Compared to the workshop I did in Kobe, my beads here didn’t turn out quite as impressive. But in a way, that made the experience feel more authentic. I got to see what true beginner‑level lampworking looks like, moving from the simple plain bead to the dotted one and finally to the slightly trickier striped pattern. (It really makes you appreciate the skills involved in making complex designs!)
The hands‑on part of the workshop takes around 30 minutes, and then the beads need another 40–60 minutes to cool before you can take them home. Luckily, Miharu is only a minute away from Senso‑ji Temple and the busy Nakamise shopping street, so it’s easy to pass the time.
Getting there
Miharu is located right in the middle of the hustle of Asakusa, about a 2‑minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line.
The basic workshop costs under A$30, and if you choose a fancier bead option with metallic elements, it’s roughly A$10 extra. I booked my session two days in advance through Asoview, and payment at the shop was easy with a credit card.
They also sell ready‑made tombodamas and accessories if you prefer something perfectly finished. (But if you’re keen for hair sticks with beautifully designed and made glass beads, Wargo is the shop I’d point you to — and it’s within walking distance.)
As a quick, hands‑on craft experience in Tokyo, Miharu is a fun way to spend an hour between sightseeing stops, and it’s a 🥉(=worth trying if near by) on #myrevisitlist.
So what did I do with my beads?
The beads turned out a little smaller than I expected, so they weren’t quite the right size to turn into a kanzashi this time. Instead, I ended up using them as incense holders — and they work perfectly.
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