Shibuya Exclusive: Paint Your Own Hachiko or Animal Figurine

Shibuya’s Hachiko is usually a bronze statue you photograph on the way to somewhere else. Here, you can take home your own painted version, or choose another figure and make it your own in a one-hour workshop near the station.

I like two things in particular: you get a choice of roughly 10 figure designs, and the Tokyo-only Hachiko gives this activity a clear sense of place. The workshop is also designed for two people to create a figure together, making it a good fit for a parent and child or a pair of friends.

One point to plan around: the session is short, and your finished piece may not be ready to take away that day. Shop pickup is free about two days after the paint dries, while international shipping costs extra and takes about two weeks.

Key points before you book

• Make a Shibuya-themed Hachiko: This figure is exclusive to the Tokyo location and makes a more personal souvenir than a standard shop-bought memento.
• Choose from about 10 designs: The selection can change, so you’ll choose what’s available when you arrive.
• Plan for an hour at the studio: The activity takes about 60 minutes, though the time can vary by person.
• Bring a partner if you like: The workshop is described as a chance for two people to work together on a one-of-a-kind figure.
• Allow time to collect or ship your work: Free pickup is available after the paint dries, or you can pay for overseas shipping in cash at the shop.
• Find the studio near Shibuya Station: It’s in Room 302 of Sakurayama Building, a five-minute walk from the station’s New South or Shin-Minami Exit.

A small art project with a strong Shibuya connection

This is not a sightseeing tour with several stops. It’s a compact, hands-on activity at Rakugaki – Art Project – Tokyo, where you choose a figure and paint it yourself. The headline option is a Hachiko figure inspired by Shibuya, but you can also pick from other Japanese-style designs available on the day.

That local angle is what gives the workshop its appeal. Hachiko is closely tied to Shibuya, and making your own version turns a familiar city symbol into a personal keepsake. If you’d rather not paint the famous dog, the alternative designs give you room to make something that suits your taste instead.

The figures are about 25 centimetres tall, though the size varies with the design. That is large enough to feel like a proper souvenir, but it’s worth thinking about how you’ll get it home. The activity also includes figure and keychain making, though the available details do not spell out exactly how the figure and keychain components are provided or divided between participants. If the finished pieces matter to your booking decision, confirm the package details before you pay.

Choosing a figure and making it yours

You’ll choose from about 10 types at the shop. That number gives you a useful range of choices, but it is not a fixed catalogue: designs may change, and you can’t count on a particular figure being available on your date. If you have your heart set on Hachiko, check availability with the provider before booking.

Once you have your figure, you can decorate it with your preferred colours. The activity is presented as open-ended rather than as a lesson in copying a set design. That makes it appealing if you enjoy making things your own, and less suited to you if you want a tightly structured class with a precise finished result.

The workshop is described as a collaborative activity for two people. That makes sense for a parent and child, a couple, or friends who want to create one shared souvenir. If each person expects to make a separate figure, check what the selected package includes: the package is named Figure & Keychain, but the activity description emphasizes a shared figure.

A previous participant praised the instructor and said the equipment was easy to use. That is encouraging if you don’t consider yourself artistic, though one person’s experience can’t guarantee the same pace or level of help on every visit. English-speaking staff are included, which should make it easier to ask questions and follow the process.

One hour in the Shibuya studio

The workshop lasts about 60 minutes, with some variation depending on the individual. You’ll spend that time at the studio choosing and painting your figure, rather than moving between attractions. If you have a packed Tokyo itinerary, the short duration makes this easier to fit between other plans, but leave a little breathing room instead of scheduling another activity at the exact end time.

The meeting and finish point are the same: Rakugaki – Art Project – Tokyo, Room 302, Sakurayama Building, 7-10 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku. You make your own way there; there is no guide meeting you elsewhere. The address is a five-minute walk from Shibuya Station’s New South Exit, also referred to as the Shin-Minami Exit.

You can select a session at 11:00, 14:00, or 17:00. Arrive five minutes before your chosen time. The booking is valid only for the date and time selected, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable, so allow time to find the building and room. The session’s listed finish times are 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00, depending on your selected start time and itinerary.

This is a practical activity for a day when you want a break from walking around the city, but the location itself is the focus. Don’t book it expecting a guided tour of Shibuya or a visit to Hachiko’s statue; the Hachiko connection comes through the figure you paint.

What your $63.09 starting price buys

The starting price is US$63.09 for the Japanese Figure-Making Experience, described as including figure and keychain making. For an hour of hands-on activity and a custom souvenir, that can be good value if you enjoy creative experiences more than buying a finished object. The personal element is the point: you choose a design and colours, rather than picking a ready-made keepsake from a shelf.

Still, check the booking details carefully before deciding that one price covers everything you have in mind. The information does not clearly state how many finished figures are included for each booking or whether the stated price applies to one person, two people, or a shared project. Since the workshop is described as collaborative, it is sensible to confirm the expected output and participant arrangement if those details affect your budget.

Shipping is not included. If you are visiting from overseas, you can pay to ship the finished figures, with the fee due in cash at the shop. Shipping two figures costs ¥3,000 to Asia, ¥4,000 to Europe, and ¥5,000 to America or Africa. Each additional figure adds ¥1,000; for example, shipping three figures to the United States costs ¥6,000.

The shop says shipped items go out in about two weeks. If you are staying in Tokyo long enough, free pickup is another option, available about two days after the paint has dried. That timing is approximate, so don’t assume you can collect it the next morning. If you leave the city soon after the workshop, settle the shipping arrangement at the studio rather than hoping to return later.

Who will enjoy this workshop most

I’d look at this activity if you want a small, creative interlude in Tokyo, especially if the idea of making a Hachiko keepsake appeals to you. It suits families, including children, because there is no age limit, and the equipment has been described as easy to use. Adults who enjoy craft projects can get just as much from the hour.

It also works well for two people who want to make something together. A shared figure can be a nice way to mark a trip, but it may not suit you if both people want to take home a separate large figure. Check the package details before booking if individual pieces are important.

You may want to skip it if you are short on time, prefer activities with a guide-led tour of the neighbourhood, or need to leave Tokyo immediately after the session and do not want to pay for shipping. The studio visit is straightforward, but the finished figure may need extra time before you can collect it.

Booking details worth checking

The activity has no age limit, and English-speaking staff are included. Confirmation is expected within minutes; if you don’t receive it, contact customer support. The session runs at the time selected when booking, and the voucher is valid only for that specified date and time.

Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date, using Tokyo local time, qualify for a full refund. After that window, late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable. Those terms make punctuality important, particularly if you are navigating to the studio for the first time.

Should you book the Shibuya figure workshop?

Book it if you like the idea of turning a familiar Shibuya symbol into something you painted yourself, or if you want an easygoing creative activity that fits into an hour. The Hachiko option gives the workshop a local identity, and the choice of other figures keeps it from being only a one-design souvenir stop.

Before paying, confirm how many figures and keychains your package covers, especially if two people are attending. Then decide whether you can collect the work in Tokyo or need to budget for cash-paid international shipping. With those details settled, this is a pleasant choice for a family, a pair of friends, or anyone who would rather make a souvenir than simply buy one.

FAQ

How long does the workshop take?

It takes about 60 minutes, though the time may vary depending on the individual.

Where is the workshop?

It is at Rakugaki – Art Project – Tokyo, Room 302, Sakurayama Building, 7-10 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

How do I get to the studio?

The studio is a five-minute walk from Shibuya Station’s New South Exit, also called the Shin-Minami Exit.

What time slots can I choose?

The listed start times are 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00. Available end times are 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00, depending on your chosen start time.

Can children take part?

Yes. The activity has no age limit.

Is the Hachiko figure the only design?

No. You can choose from about 10 types at the shop, and the selection may change. The Hachiko figure is exclusive to the Tokyo location.

Can I take my finished figure home that day?

Not necessarily. Free shop pickup is available about two days after the paint has dried. International shipping is also available for an added fee, and items are shipped in about two weeks.

How much does international shipping cost?

For two figures, shipping costs ¥3,000 to Asia, ¥4,000 to Europe, and ¥5,000 to America or Africa. Each figure from the third onward adds ¥1,000, and payment is due in cash at the shop.