Gontadou
Ikebana Studio

Modern ikebana in Tokyo. Seamless English studio sessions for residents and global travellers.

Creative, modern, and personal. We use any material, anytime, anywhere.

Our Classes

Private Ikebana Immersion

A bespoke, one-to-one immersion for international guests. This distilled session introduces key principles and techniques, tailored to the pace of your Tokyo visit.

Weekly Ikebana Ritual

A weekly modern Ikebana class for Tokyo international residents, offering a serene, offline sanctuary to master the Way of Flowers.

Ikebana for Schools

A contemplative programme for international schools, prioritising sustained focus and reflective intention over the noise of the modern classroom.

Corporate Solutions

Refined creative solutions for high-performance teams, valued clients, and bespoke site-specific installations.

Your First Ikebana

No prior experience is required to join our 1-on-1 private experience. We provide all the necessary seasonal materials and traditional tools. Arrive as you are; leave with a new perspective. Your experience:

Step 1

Appreciate Japan’s finest seasonal flora while uncovering the secrets of Ikebana’s 400-year history. We demystify intimidating traditional rules, giving you the confidence to find your own creative starting point.

Step 2

Master traditional tools and the art of floral placement. Under patient guidance, you will craft a classical Sogetsu arrangement that balances centuries-old principles with your own unique vision.

Step 3

Photograph your masterpiece—the perfect digital souvenir. While finished arrangements are too delicate to transport, you are encouraged to take your blooms with you to enjoy at your hotel, alongside the skills to recreate them back home.

Reserve Your Private Session

The Instructor

Benedict Tsang ( 顕豪 )

Sogetsu Ikebana Artist & Certified Instructor

Benedict is a Sogetsu Ikebana artist and certified instructor. Recognised by the Japanese government for his professional mastery, he is also one of the extremely rare cultural practitioners granted the official Japanese Artist Visa to maintain an independent creative practice in Japan.

His journey began in Kyoto, later continuing in Hong Kong, and ultimately leading to Tokyo to study under Sogetsu Master Reiko Takenaka. Benedict’s work spans international exhibitions, commercial collaborations, and major seasonal installations—including the New Year arrangements at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. In 2025, his practice was part of a group honoured with the prestigious Sogetsu Excellence Award.

Fluent in four languages, Benedict brings a global sensibility to his teaching, making the profound depth of Japanese aesthetics fully accessible to international minds.

Follow him on Instagram @gontadou

Who We Are

Gontadou Modern Ikebana Studio is a contemporary space in the heart of Tokyo dedicated to Sogetsu—one of Japan’s pre-eminent ikebana schools. We move beyond traditional arrangement, treating the plant as a medium for sculptural expression and personal creative discovery. Through nuanced English-language instruction, the studio serves as a bridge for international guests and residents to master this heritage art with a distinctly modern sensibility.

What is Sogetsu Ikebana

Founded in 1927, the Sogetsu School revolutionised Japanese floral art. While we remain grounded in traditional aesthetics, we believe Ikebana should be boundless—practised anytime, anywhere, and with any material. This philosophy encourages you to see the natural world with new eyes. Whether using seasonal branches from a Tokyo market or botanicals from your own garden, Sogetsu opens the door to truly unique, personal compositions. From intimate home displays to grand public installations, our work enriches every space it inhabits.

Experience this shift in perspective. Join us in the studio for a private session and begin your first arrangement.