Make Custom Chopsticks in Nara: 12 Woods & Engraving No Extra Fees

In this 45-minute Nara workshop, you choose your wood, shape a pair of chopsticks with a hand plane, sand them smooth, and finish them with oil. It is a small, practical souvenir you make yourself, not another item picked off a shop shelf.

I like two things in particular: you can choose from about 12 kinds of wood without a stated wood surcharge, and engraving is included in the package details. The step-by-step process also leaves room for you to make your own design choices, with staff there to help.

One point needs checking before you go: the package information says wood selection and engraving have no extra fees, but the fee terms have also been described differently. Confirm what is included in your specific booking, especially if you want laser engraving or a particular wood.

What to know before you book

• Choose from about 12 types of wood: Staff explain the woods, and you select your preferred material without an extra charge stated for wood choice.
• Make them by hand: Shape the chopsticks with a hand plane, then sand and oil-finish them.
• Engraving and packaging are included: The package details include engraving, finished chopsticks, and wrapping.
• Allow 45 minutes: Arrive five minutes before your reserved time at HASHI LAB 奈良店.
• Find the shop near Kintetsu Nara Station: It is at Room 102, Rifure Building, a two-minute walk from the station.
• Check the fee details: Confirm the engraving and wood inclusions shown for your booking, as the fee descriptions are not fully consistent.

A hands-on souvenir, not a quick purchase

At HASHI LAB, the souvenir is the work itself as much as the finished pair. In a compact session, you make choices about the material and take part in shaping, sanding, and oiling. That gives you a more personal connection to an everyday Japanese object than buying ready-made chopsticks.

The workshop lasts 45 minutes, so it fits neatly into a Nara day without taking over the schedule. It is a focused activity rather than a long craft course: expect an introduction to the woods, hands-on work, and a finished pair to take away. The staff guide you through the steps, while you make decisions about your own chopsticks.

I would not treat it as a deep lesson in woodworking. The information provided promises an explanation of the wood types and a guided process, but does not describe a long demonstration or advanced techniques. The appeal is the chance to try the tools and finish something useful within a short visit.

Choosing from a dozen woods

After check-in, staff explain the characteristics of approximately 12 kinds of wood. You can choose your preferred type from the available selection, and the stated package terms say there is no additional charge based on which wood you select.

That range matters. Wood is not just a color choice: the grain and appearance help give your pair its own character. The supplied details do not name the individual woods or list their qualities, so you will need to ask the staff about the options in front of you. If you have a particular look in mind, ask before you begin shaping.

The no-surcharge claim is a useful part of the value, but confirm it at booking or on arrival. There is a discrepancy in the fee descriptions: the package terms include wood choice and engraving, while another account of the activity describes extra charges for some woods and laser engraving. It is sensible to clarify exactly what your reservation covers before you start, rather than discover a different price at the workbench.

From hand plane to oil finish

Once you have selected your wood, the workshop moves through three clear stages: shaping with a hand plane, sanding, and oil finishing. The sequence gives you a feel for how a rough piece becomes a pair of chopsticks, without asking you to commit to an all-day class.

The hand plane is the most hands-on part. You work the wood into shape, with staff available to explain and assist. A visitor described the balance as allowing independence while offering help when needed. That is the right kind of setup for a beginner: you get to make choices and do the work, but you are not left guessing about each step.

Sanding follows, smoothing the shape you have made. Then comes the oil finish, which completes the process. The workshop description does not specify how much time is devoted to each stage, so do not expect to control the pace minute by minute. The 45-minute session is short enough that staff will keep the activity moving.

You leave with finished chopsticks, and packaging is included. The details do not say whether the chopsticks need any additional drying time or care after the workshop, so ask the staff if you want advice on using or maintaining them.

Engraving adds a personal touch

Name engraving is offered as part of the plan, and the package details list engraving as included. That gives you a way to make the pair feel more distinctly yours, or to make it a more personal gift. The information does not specify which characters or engraving styles are available, so ask what can be done before you settle on your design.

Here, too, verify the exact terms of your reservation. The package information says the service is included, but the fee descriptions are inconsistent about laser engraving. If engraving is a deciding reason for booking, check that it is included in your chosen option and confirm any limits before the work begins.

Wrapping is included as well. That is a small but useful detail if you are giving the chopsticks as a present or carrying them around Nara for the rest of the day.

A small stop close to Kintetsu Nara Station

HASHI LAB 奈良店 is at Room 102, Rifure Building, 29-1 Konishicho, Nara City. It is listed as a two-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, which makes it easy to add to a day based around the station area.

The shop can be a little hard to spot, so do not assume the short walk means the entrance will be obvious. One account describes the location as tucked along a small side street and mentions a garden view outside. Use the full building address, allow a few extra minutes to find Room 102, and arrive five minutes before your booking. This is a workshop with no guide meeting you elsewhere; you make your own way to the shop.

The available start times run hourly from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. The corresponding listed end times are 45 minutes later, from 10:45 a.m. through 5:45 p.m. Choose a slot that gives you enough room around other plans, especially if you are trying to fit the workshop between visits in Nara.

What the price buys

The experience starts at US$44.15. That is a noticeable price for a 45-minute activity, especially if you compare it with simply buying a pair of chopsticks. But the value is not only in the object: you choose the wood, shape and finish the pair yourself, and the listed package includes engraving and wrapping.

For a hands-on craft activity, the short duration can be an advantage. You get to take part in several stages without giving up half a day. If you enjoy making things, or want a souvenir with a direct connection to your time in Nara, the price may feel reasonable. If you mainly want an inexpensive pair of chopsticks, a shop purchase will cost less and take almost no time.

The stated no-extra-fee policy is part of the value calculation, so check it carefully. Ask whether all 12 wood options and the engraving you want are covered by your booking. The package details say they are, but the descriptions are not consistent on this point.

Who will enjoy this workshop

This suits you if you like short, tactile activities and want to bring home something you helped make. It is also a good choice for families with children aged five or older, provided the child can take part in the workshop process. The minimum age is five; the information does not specify any other age rules.

You do not need to arrive with woodworking experience. The process is explained, and staff can guide you through it. A visitor described it as easy to follow, with a useful balance between working independently and getting help. That makes it a more approachable choice than a class where you are expected to know the tools already.

It is less suited to you if you want a long, technical class, a broad cultural tour, or a very low-cost souvenir. The activity focuses on making chopsticks, and the 45-minute format is deliberately compact. Other products in the store are not included.

Practical details for your visit

Book a time between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and arrive five minutes early. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, so build in time to locate the shop rather than cutting it close. Your voucher is valid only on the date and time specified.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and pets are prohibited. Confirmation is expected within minutes after booking; if it does not appear, contact customer support. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time.

Should you book it?

Book this workshop if you want a short, hands-on Nara activity and value a souvenir you make yourself. The choice of wood, the guided shaping and finishing, and the included packaging give the session more substance than a quick stop in a gift shop.

Before paying, verify the engraving and wood-fee terms for your exact reservation. If those are confirmed as included, the stated price covers a satisfying 45-minute craft experience with a finished pair to take home. If your main goal is simply to buy chopsticks cheaply, spend the money elsewhere and keep exploring Nara.

FAQ

How long does the chopsticks workshop take?

The experience lasts 45 minutes.

Where is HASHI LAB 奈良店?

It is in Room 102, Rifure Building, 29-1 Konishicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan.

How do I get to the workshop?

The shop is listed as a two-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. You make your own way there; there is no guide meeting you elsewhere.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive five minutes before your reserved start time.

What times can I book?

Available start times are 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., noon, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

What happens during the workshop?

Staff explain about 12 types of wood. You choose wood, shape the chopsticks with a hand plane, sand them, and finish them with oil.

Is engraving included?

The package details say engraving is included. Because fee descriptions differ, confirm the terms for your booking, especially if you want laser engraving.

Are all wood types included in the price?

The package details say you can choose from all 12 types without an additional wood charge. Confirm this with your booking details, since fee descriptions are not fully consistent.

What is included in the package?

It includes the chopsticks-making experience, wood selection, engraving, finished chopsticks, and wrapping or packaging. Other products in the store are not included.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least five years old.