Tokyo: Anime Making Experience: Create Your Own Anime

A two-hour anime workshop gives you a different kind of Tokyo souvenir: a short stop-motion animation you make yourself. You do not need drawing or animation experience, and the activity has no age limit, so it can suit families, teens, adults, and anime fans who want to try the process rather than just watch it.

I like two things in particular: you get step-by-step help in English, and your finished video is yours to keep and share. One practical snag is the meeting-point information: it names Gotanda Station’s West Exit, while the activity description also refers to Akihabara. Check the exact workshop location before setting out, and bring your own smartphone or tablet.

• You make a short stop-motion video, with guidance for beginners.
• The session runs from 17:00 to 19:00, with the meeting and return point listed at Gotanda Station’s West Exit.
• A smartphone or tablet is essential because you use your own device to film the animation.
• Workshop tools and materials are provided for use during the class, along with snacks and drinks; alcohol is listed at selected bars.
• There is no age limit, making this an option for a mixed-age group.
• The starting price is US$75.70, for a hands-on activity and a finished video to take home.

Make a small anime, not just another Tokyo snapshot

Tokyo offers plenty of ways to look at anime culture from the outside. This class puts you on the making side of the desk. You work on a short animated video, with an English-speaking guide providing step-by-step instruction. A past participant described the activity as learning stop-motion animation, a useful clue about the format: you create movement by filming a sequence of still moments.

That hands-on element is the main reason to book. You are not simply watching a demonstration or taking home a purchased souvenir. You leave with a video that came from your own work, and the class is set up for people with no prior experience. If you have wondered how animation gets its sense of movement, even a short project can make the process easier to understand.

The appeal is not limited to children. The activity is listed as having no age limit, and it is described as suitable for kids, teens, adults, beginners, and anime fans. A family can share the same project, while an adult who likes anime but has never tried making it can join without needing to arrive with a sketchbook full of ideas.

Keep expectations in proportion to the format. This is a short workshop, not a long animation course, and the information promises a short video rather than a polished professional production. Think of it as a guided creative session and a personal keepsake, not a fast track to an animation career.

A 17:00 start at Gotanda Station

The listed meeting point is Gotanda Station West Exit in Shinagawa City, Tokyo. You are asked to arrive five minutes before the 17:00 departure time, and the return is listed for 19:00 at Gotanda Station West Exit. That makes the activity roughly two hours from start to finish, a manageable evening block that can fit around other plans.

There is a location detail worth checking before you go. The experience is described in one place as an anime video-making class in Akihabara, but the meeting and return details point to Gotanda. Those are not interchangeable meeting instructions. Confirm the precise workshop address with the operator before the day, rather than assuming the class starts in Akihabara or wandering around the station at the last minute.

The itinerary also lists a 17:05 stop at Gotanda Station, but it does not describe a sightseeing route or other stops. Treat this as a workshop with a station meeting point, not a guided tour of Tokyo neighborhoods. Transport to the meeting point is not included, so plan and pay for your own journey there and back.

Punctuality matters. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the booking details also state that a participant who is 20 minutes or more late cannot receive a refund. Arrive with time to find the West Exit and confirm the meeting place. The activity is scheduled for a single evening, so a missed start can mean losing the session.

What you do during the workshop

The core activity is straightforward: create a short animation with step-by-step guidance. You do not need previous experience, and the tools and materials needed for the workshop are supplied for use during the class. The key thing you must bring is your own smartphone or tablet, which you use to film the animation.

That device requirement is easy to overlook when packing for a trip. Check that your phone or tablet is charged before you arrive, since filming is part of making the finished video. The details do not specify a particular app, device model, or technical setup, so if you have questions about compatibility, ask the operator before booking rather than assume every device works in the same way.

The class is designed to get beginners through the process, rather than expect them to arrive with a plan. A guide is included, and the guidance is in English. No guide’s name or a detailed description of the teaching method is provided, so I would not book on the expectation of a particular instructor or a highly specialized lesson. The practical promise is help as you make your short animation.

A previous participant particularly praised the space, the snacks, and the guidance, and said the finished animation made a good take-home keepsake. That points to the strengths of the experience: you have a place to work, someone to help you along, and a tangible result at the end. It is a small creative project, but that can make a welcome change from a packed day of sightseeing.

Snacks, drinks, and what the price covers

The starting price is US$75.70. The listed inclusions are an English-speaking guide, snacks, drinks or alcohol at selected bars, workshop tools and materials for use during the activity, and step-by-step guidance. The exact drink arrangement is not spelled out, so do not count on alcohol being available at the workshop itself or assume every participant receives the same option.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you are looking for a ticket to a major attraction or a long class with extensive technical training, this is not that. You are paying for a guided, hands-on activity, the materials used during it, snacks and listed drinks, and the chance to make a video you can keep. For a family or anime fan who values the personal result, that can be more memorable than another ordinary souvenir.

The materials are for use during the workshop only. The video, by contrast, is intended for you to take home and share on social media if you wish. The distinction matters: you leave with the digital result, not the workshop equipment or animation materials.

Transport, accommodation, hotel pickup and drop-off, and other personal expenses are not included. Tips and gratuities are also excluded. Factor in your journey to Gotanda and any additional spending when judging the full cost of the evening.

Who will get the most from it

This is a good fit for an anime fan who wants to do something active with that interest. It can also work well for a family with children or teens, since no experience is needed and the activity has no age limit. Adults can take part too; the format is not described as a children-only class.

It is especially appealing if you like leaving an activity with something you made. The finished video gives the workshop a clear payoff, and the option to share it online adds a personal touch. You need not be a skilled artist to have a reason to book, but you should be willing to spend the session making and filming a short animation.

I would be more cautious if you want a detailed lesson in professional animation techniques, a specific character-drawing class, or a long studio visit. Those things are not promised. The information focuses on a beginner-friendly short animation, so book for a fun introduction and a take-home clip, not a full course.

The location discrepancy also makes this a less carefree choice for anyone who does not want to double-check plans. The meeting details are clear about Gotanda Station West Exit, but the activity description also names Akihabara. Get the workshop address confirmed and leave enough time to reach it.

Before you book

Bring a charged smartphone or tablet. It is not an optional extra: participants film the animation using their own device, while the workshop provides the tools and materials used during the session. If you plan to share your finished video, make sure you have enough space on the device to save it.

The voucher is valid only on the specified date and time, so check your booking carefully. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. The operator may cancel because of unforeseen events or extreme weather, in which case rescheduling or a full refund is offered. For rescheduling or refund requests, contact the operator at [email protected], listed hours 10:00 to 18:00; changes remain subject to availability.

Confirmation is expected within minutes. If it does not arrive, contact customer support. These are small steps, but they help prevent a simple mix-up from turning into a missed workshop.

Should you book this anime workshop?

Book it if you want a relaxed, beginner-friendly activity where you make a short stop-motion video and take the result home. The English-language guidance, supplied workshop materials, snacks, and no-experience-needed format make it an easy option for anime fans and mixed-age groups. At US$75.70, its value rests on the making experience and personal video, not on sightseeing or an extended course.

Skip it if you are mainly after a professional animation class, a long workshop, or a no-planning evening out. Confirm the Gotanda meeting details despite the Akihabara reference, arrive early, and bring a charged phone or tablet. With those basics settled, this offers a hands-on Tokyo memory that is more personal than a souvenir bought from a shop.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Gotanda Station West Exit in Shinagawa City, Tokyo. The activity description also refers to Akihabara, so confirm the exact workshop location with the operator before you travel.

What time does the activity start and finish?

The listed departure time is 17:00, and the return time is 19:00. Arrive at the meeting point five minutes before departure.

How long does the activity last?

The schedule runs from 17:00 to 19:00, or about two hours.

Do I need animation experience?

No. The workshop is described as suitable for beginners, and step-by-step guidance is included.

What should I bring?

Bring your own smartphone or tablet. Participants use their device to film the animation.

Are workshop tools and materials included?

Yes. Tools and materials needed for the animation workshop are provided for use during the activity.

Is there an age limit?

No age limit is listed.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Snacks and drinks are listed as included. The details also mention alcohol at selected bars, but do not specify when or where it is available.

Is transport to the workshop included?

No. Transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, accommodation, and personal expenses are not included.