A One-of-a-Kind Leather Craft Experience in Tokyo’s Craft Town, Kuramae: A Summer Vacation Activity with My Daughter at THOROUGH BRACE

 Kuramae is often called “the Brooklyn of Tokyo” and is known as a neighborhood with a rich history of craftsmanship and a growing creative scene.

I often visit Kuramae to explore its cafes, and whenever I walk around the neighborhood, I’m always struck by the variety of shops scattered throughout the area, from lifestyle and stationery stores to wholesalers and small specialty shops.

This time, I had the opportunity to visit THOROUGH BRACE Kuramae, where you can enjoy a hands-on leather crafting experience.

I heard that you can easily make your own original leather accessory, so I decided to give it a try with my daughter, who is enjoying her summer vacation!

But if you’re thinking about trying leather crafting, you might have some questions:

“Is it difficult?”
“Can I join even if I don’t speak Japanese?”
“How long does it take?”
“How much does it cost?”

Don’t worry! In this post, I’ll share our experience and honest impressions, along with all the details you’ll want to know about the leather crafting experience at THOROUGH BRACE Kuramae.

I hope this will be helpful if you’re thinking about giving it a try. Keep reading to find out what it’s really like!

1. Is Leather Crafting Difficult?

When you hear “leather crafting,” you might imagine that it’s difficult or that you need to be good with your hands to make something yourself.

But there’s really no need to worry!

According to the staff, the experience is available for children as young as 6 years old (first grade of elementary school). I actually joined the workshop with my 8-year-old daughter, and we both had a great time.

Since it was my first time trying leather crafting, I was a little worried at first about whether I could make something successfully. However, the instructor explained each step carefully and kindly, so even beginners like us could enjoy the experience with confidence.

Whenever we had questions, we could easily ask for help, which made the whole experience very relaxed and enjoyable. My daughter quickly got absorbed in the process, and I also found myself asking the instructor for help a few times! 

My 8-year-old daughter trying leather crafting for the first time!

I’m not particularly good with my hands, but even I had so much fun creating something from scratch. It was especially satisfying to see my little piece gradually take shape, and finishing it gave me such a sense of accomplishment.

And of course, there’s something special about using something you made yourself. Being able to create a one-of-a-kind leather item made this experience even more memorable.

So, if you’ve ever thought, “Leather crafting sounds difficult…” don’t let that stop you! This workshop is a fun and beginner-friendly way to enjoy making something truly your own. 

2. Is It Okay If I Don’t Speak Japanese?

I asked the staff about this, and they told me that the workshop is conducted entirely in Japanese.

You might be wondering, “Will it be difficult if I don’t understand Japanese?” But don’t worry too much!

The crafting process itself isn’t particularly complicated, and the instructor can also use simple English and body language when needed. Since they demonstrate each step as they explain it, you can follow along by watching what they do.

After experiencing the workshop myself, I actually felt that watching the instructor carefully was more important than understanding every word. The instructor shows you exactly how to do each step, so even if you don’t understand all of the Japanese, you can usually figure out what to do by watching the demonstration.

And if you’re unsure about anything, you can always ask for help. The instructor is kind and patient, so you can take your time and enjoy the experience.

So, if you don’t speak Japanese, don’t let that stop you from trying! As long as you’re willing to watch, give it a try, and have fun, you can still enjoy making your own leather item. 

3. Price, Duration & How to Book

You can make a reservation through the official THOROUGH BRACE website or booking sites such as Jalan. The leather crafting workshops are held on weekends and public holidays, so be sure to check the schedule when planning your visit.

There are several leather items to choose from, with reasonably priced options that make it easy for beginners to give leather crafting a try.

For example, a card case costs ¥2,900, a coin case costs ¥3,000, and a business card holder costs ¥4,000. Considering that you get to enjoy a hands-on crafting experience and take home a leather accessory that you made yourself, I think the prices are quite reasonable.

Sample coin case and business card holder

If you’ve been curious about leather crafting but want to start with something casual, this is a great way to give it a try.

The experience takes about 1.5 hours. It might sound like a while, but once you start working on your piece, you can get so absorbed in the process that the time flies by!

I was so focused on making my own piece that the 1.5 hours went by before I knew it. Creating something together also made it a fun activity to enjoy with my daughter.

If you’re planning to visit, be sure to check the available dates and make a reservation in advance. Then all that’s left is to enjoy making your very own original leather accessory! 

My Experience

First, we got to choose our favorite leather color and design. My daughter chose to make a coin case, while I decided to make a business card holder.

The first step was to apply a leather finishing agent called Tokonole to the cut edges of the leather and polish them to make the surface smooth and neat. It was fun to use tools and materials that I don’t normally get to work with!

Next, we braided the leather pieces together to gradually shape them into our cases. The instructor carefully demonstrated each step, so my daughter and I could follow along while enjoying the process.

Finally, we added our favorite letters using leather stamps—and our handmade pieces were complete!  Being able to add your own letters makes the finished piece feel even more personal and special.

You can practice leather stamping first, so you can feel confident when it’s time to stamp your own piece!

The instructor was very friendly and explained everything carefully while chatting with us along the way. We became so absorbed in the process that the time flew by!

There’s something special about making something with your own hands. I definitely feel more attached to my business card holder now that I made it myself, and I’m already looking forward to using it and taking good care of it. 

I think this experience would be perfect for parents and children or friends looking for something fun to do together. It would also make a great summer vacation craft project for kids or a thoughtful handmade gift for someone special.

One of the things I love about leather goods is that they become softer and more comfortable to use over time, while developing their own unique character. I’m looking forward to seeing how my handmade piece changes with age and plan to take good care of it for years to come. 

Basic information

🏠 Thorough Brace Kuramae

📍 4-21-10 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo

🕘 9:00-18:00

💤 Open daily

🚶3-minute walk from Kuramae Station

💴 Credit cards, e-money, and QR code payments accepted

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