Don’t Just Buy It! Make Your Own Kaminari Okoshi in Asakusa | A Short & Fun Japanese Cultural Experience

Kaminari Okoshi is a popular souvenir from Asakusa.
It is a traditional Japanese sweet made by steaming and roasting rice, then mixing it with syrup, sugar, and peanuts, resulting in a crispy, crunchy texture.

Did you know you can actually make your own Kaminari Okoshi?
While it’s sold in many shops around Asakusa, the only place where you can experience making it yourself is at Kaminari 5656 Kaikan.

But when you hear “making Kaminari Okoshi yourself,” you might wonder:
“Is it worth it?”
“What does the process look like?”
“Is it English-friendly?”

I joined the experience with my 7-year-old child, and it wasn’t difficult at all.
People of all ages can enjoy it at their own pace, and even beginners can feel comfortable participating.

In this article, I’ll guide you as your “friend in Asakusa,” sharing tips on how to fully enjoy your experience at Kaminari 5656 Kaikan and easing any concerns you might have!

Kaminari 5656 Kaikan

Goma’s Tips for the Perfect Kaminari Okoshi Making Experience

Even if it’s your first visit, keep these three points in mind to make sure your experience goes smoothly.

1. Is it worth your time and money?

When planning your trip to Asakusa, you might be wondering whether it’s worth adding a hands-on activity to your itinerary.

Questions like “Is it worth the time?” or “Does it justify the cost?” are completely understandable.

The Kaminari Okoshi making experience costs ¥2,420 per person (tax included), which includes both the activity and a souvenir to take home.
It takes about 30 to 60 minutes, making it easy to fit into your sightseeing schedule.

The experience is available between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and reservations can be made in advance through the official website or Jalan.
Each session has a limited number of participants, so you can enjoy the experience in a relaxed setting.

When you actually try the experience, it’s a lot of fun to make Kaminari Okoshi with your own hands, and you can take home what you made. Considering that it includes both the experience and a souvenir, I found it very satisfying.

More importantly, the joy of making it yourself and tasting it fresh is something you simply can’t get from buying it at a shop. It’s a small but memorable experience that will stay with you long after your visit.

2.  What does the process look like?

The experience starts with a short video that explains the overall process.
After that, a staff member demonstrates how to make Kaminari Okoshi, so you can understand each step before trying it yourself.

Here’s a simple overview of the process:

1 Heat syrup with sugar and peanuts
Stir continuously to prevent burning. After a while, the syrup turns white.

2 Add the puffed rice and mix well

3 Transfer the mixture onto a board and spread it flat

4 Place it into a cutting frame and cut it into bite-sized pieces using a special cutter

5 Remove it from the frame, let it dry, then pack it into a can to finish
You can take your freshly made Kaminari Okoshi home as a souvenir.

3. Is it English-friendly?

I asked the staff, and they told me that English support is not available.
During the experience, the staff demonstrates each step while explaining in Japanese, so it may be a bit challenging if you don’t understand the language.

If you’re not confident in Japanese, it’s a good idea to join with someone who can help translate.

On the other hand, they mentioned that there are still relatively few international participants, so you can enjoy the experience in a calm and less crowded atmosphere.
Rather than being a typical tourist-oriented activity, it feels more like a hidden gem where you can experience authentic, local Japanese culture.

If you’re looking for something a little more unique in Asakusa, this could be a great choice.

My Experience

Children under the age of 8 can join the experience with an adult.
Since you’ll be working with a heated pan, you do need to be careful to avoid burns, but overall the steps are simple and easy to follow.

When my daughter actually tried it, she found that it was more fast-paced than she expected. You have to keep stirring to prevent the syrup from burning and quickly cut the mixture before it hardens—so timing is everything!
It’s a simple process, but it requires focus, which makes it surprisingly engaging.

The staff kindly guided us through each step, so even children can enjoy the experience with confidence.

And the freshly made Kaminari Okoshi was incredibly delicious!
It had a lighter, crispier texture and a more fragrant flavor compared to store-bought ones—we couldn’t stop eating it.

Although it can be kept at room temperature for about a week, it was so good that we ended up eating almost all of it the same day.
The leftovers are great on their own, but they also pair well with ice cream or yogurt.

As a bonus, you’ll receive a DIY Kaminari Okoshi kit as a souvenir, so you can recreate the experience at home.

It’s a fun, tasty, and rewarding activity all in one. If you’re looking for a memorable experience in Asakusa, this is definitely worth trying.

Basic information

🏠 Tokiwado Kaminari-okoshi Honpo / Kaminari 5656 Kaikan（常盤堂雷おこし本舗／雷5656会館）

📍 3-6-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

🕘 9:00–17:30

💤 Closed on Mondays

🚶 10-minute walk from Kaminarimon

If you want to see more delicious food in Asakusa, be sure to check out my Instagram too📸✨Just click the icon below!