In addition to Yuzen dyeing , you can try several other crafts at various venues around the city. The Kyoto Handicraft Centre offers demonstration classes for beginners in woodblock printing, cloisonné (enamel-work) and doll-making (¥1500 for 1hr; book at the ground-floor information desk 1-4pm). Classes in ikebana , origami and calligraphy, among other things, are available through Kyoto International Community House . They also do longer courses on the tea ceremony, the koto (a type of zither) and No theatre (¥5000 per term, ¥1000 for a demonstration class). At To-ji temple, south of Kyoto Station , you can also try painting on lacquerware (daily 9.30am-3pm; ¥1000-1500).
Kyoto's most famous tea-ceremony school, Urasenke, is open to visitors one afternoon a week ( www.urasenke.or.jp/eframe.html ; ¥1000). After an English-language introduction to the ceremony's form and history, you'll take part in the ritual itself. Phone the centre on 075/451-8516 for the latest schedule and to make a reservation. Alternatively, the Miyako Hotel offers the tea ceremony every day (10am-7pm; ¥1150); no reservation is required.
Recently it's become popular to dress up as a maiko (trainee geisha ) and, if you can afford it, wander round the streets of Kyoto for an hour or two - much to the horror of the genuine maiko . Some hotels and guesthouses now offer the opportunity to their guests, or you can don a kimono, wig and make-up at the Nishijin Textile Centre for around ¥10,000 and have your photo taken.