Gontadou
Ikebana Studio
Contemporary ikebana art in the heart of Tokyo. Bespoke English-language immersions for the global traveller.
The Tokyo Private Ikebana Experience
A bespoke immersion into the art of Sogetsu—one of Japan’s pre-eminent ikebana schools. Tailored for international guests, this one-to-one session offers patient, expert guidance to help you experience the fundamental principles of Japanese floral arrangement.
The Experience
The session involves the creation of two unique arrangements. We begin with a structured study of Sogetsu’s classical forms, where you will learn the tactile skills required to handle and place floral elements with intent. For the second work, the focus shifts to freestyle expression. You are encouraged to follow your intuition and, with expert guidance, compose a final piece that reflects your personal aesthetic. These are practical, enduring skills that will elevate your floral practice at home.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Location: Hatsudai, Tokyo (One stop from Shinjuku Station)
Language: Fluent English instruction; no translators required.
Inclusions: All seasonal botanicals and professional tool hire.
Entry Level: No prior experience necessary. Simply arrive as you are.
Minimum Age: 10 years and above.
Participants: While ideal for solo travellers, we also welcome couples and families seeking a private, shared creative journey. For groups of up to three, please book directly. For larger parties (up to eight), please contact me via email to design a custom workshop tailored to your group’s needs.
Please note: This workshop is designed for those new to the craft. If you have previously studied Sogetsu and wish to continue your formal education with us, please select “The Sogetsu Foundation Course” for a more advanced curriculum.
US$ 100
Check Availability and Book Here:
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 sculptural art of placement. Under patient guidance, you will craft a classical Sogetsu arrangement that balances heritage principles with your unique vision. This is followed by a freestyle composition, where you are invited to trust your intuition and explore a more contemporary, instinctive expression.
Step 3
Photograph your masterpiece in professional studio light—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.
Who We Are
Gontadou 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.
Creative, modern, and personal. We use any material, anytime, anywhere.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Sanctuary in the City While Tokyo is a city of relentless energy, an Ikebana workshop offers a rare opportunity to pause. It is more than a craft; it is a quiet retreat from the bustling streets of Shinjuku, allowing you to engage with Japanese aesthetics in a serene, focused environment.
Deepen Your Cultural Perspective Ikebana is inextricably linked to the tea ceremony, the discipline of the Samurai, and the spiritual heritage of Japan. By engaging with these floral forms, you gain a deeper lens through which to view the temples, gardens, and architecture you will encounter throughout your travels. You will leave the studio not just with a creation, but with a new understanding of the Japanese soul.
Celebrate the Moment Whether you are marking a birthday, an anniversary, or a honeymoon, a private Ikebana session provides an unforgettable, intimate setting to celebrate. Every workshop is strictly private, ensuring the atmosphere remains personal and peaceful—a space dedicated entirely to your experience.
Art for Every Traveller Whether your interests lie in history, design, or simply finding a moment of creative clarity, Ikebana offers a universal appeal. My goal is for every guest to depart the studio feeling inspired, refreshed, and connected to a living tradition.
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Expect to spend around 90 minutes in the studio.
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Nothing is required. We provide all professional tools—including scissors, textbooks, and towels. You are welcome to use our equipment throughout the lesson.
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Our classroom is equipped with Western-style desks and chairs. We simply recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for creative work.
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While ikebana arrangements themselves cannot be transported, you are welcome to wrap up your flowers to take with you at the end of the workshop. We will also make sure that you have opportunities to take photos of your finished arrangements.
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Please aim to be ready at your scheduled start time. If you are delayed, please contact the instructor immediately.
Our Classes
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.
The Tokyo Private Experience
Curriculum-based study for Tokyo residents. A steady, chapter-by-chapter immersion designed for those seeking deep technical growth and a sustained creative practice.
Sogetsu Foundation Course
A contemplative programme for international schools, prioritising sustained focus and reflective intention over the noise of the modern classroom.
Ikebana for Schools
Refined creative solutions for high-performance teams, valued clients, and bespoke site-specific installations.
Corporate Solutions
The Instructor
Benedict ( 顕豪 )
Sogetsu Ikebana Artist & Certified Instructor
Tokyo-based Ikebana artist Benedict is a rare recipient of the Japanese Artist Visa—an official status given by the government to recognise his professional standing in the arts. A certified Sogetsu teacher and international exhibitor, Benedict has dedicated his career to bridging East and West. Fluent in four languages and having lived in London and Hong Kong, he offers exclusive, private workshops that translate the profound philosophy of ikebana into an accessible, creative practice for the global traveler.
He is a certified member of the Sogetsu Teachers’ Association.
Follow him on Instagram @gontadou.com
Access
Gontadou Ikebana Studio
1 Chome-5-7 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 151-0071
By Reservation Only
Situated in the tranquil neighbourhood of Hatsudai, the studio offers a serene escape from Tokyo’s frantic pace while remaining remarkably well-connected. We are just a short walk from Hatsudai Station (Keio New Line), a mere two-minute train ride from Shinjuku.
Typical journey times to Hatsudai Station:
2 minutes from Shinjuku Station
15 minutes from Shibuya Station
25 minutes from Akihabara Station
25 minutes from Tokyo Station
25 minutes from Ueno Station
50 minutes from Haneda Airport
90 mintutes from Narita Airport