The Japanese Pop Culture Starterpack: Interview with Manga Dojo Tokyo

Unforgettable Experiences Await at Manga Dojo Tokyo! Immerse yourself in a unique blend of Japanese culture, located in Ikebukuro, the vibrant heart of Tokyo. Discover some of Japan’s most iconic pop cultural experiences and meet industry experts who will guide you through a variety of available hands-on lessons and activities.

Join us for this exclusive and truly extraordinary interview!

Please tell us about yourself, your background, and your role at Manga Dojo Tokyo. Additionally, could you provide a brief overview of the company?

My name is Moeka Akiyoshi. I am the owner of “MANGA DOJO TOKYO” in Ikebukuro and the representative of Symbi LLC, where I plan and operate inbound programs that allow visitors to experience Japanese pop culture.

Originally, Mr. Kazuo Maekawa, the lead instructor at MANGA DOJO TOKYO, has been teaching children around the world how to draw manga at schools and events in Switzerland and Hawaii since 2011.

Following the pandemic, we sought to offer foreign tourists visiting Tokyo a “professional manga-drawing experience” led by professional manga artists. In autumn 2023, we launched an experiential program in Shibuya, and in spring 2024, we opened our store “MANGA DOJO TOKYO” in Ikebukuro East Exit.

Let’s move on to the distinctive experiences available at Manga Dojo Tokyo. Can you tell us more about the specific offerings?

MANGA DOJO TOKYO offers the following experience programs specializing in Japanese pop culture.

• Manga workshop by professional manga artists
• Cosplay makeup experience by cosplayers
• Anime production experience by animators
• Sake tasting experience led by a sake sommelier
• Voice acting experience (scheduled to begin in autumn 2025)

All experiences are authentic lessons led by active creators and artists.
Each course is 2 hours long, and private rental options are also available.

What was the genesis of this unique blend of experiences?

We started with the desire to create experiences that can only be had in Japan, together with professional creators and engineers.

Japan has many professionals with outstanding skills, but there is still little experiential content that conveys their appeal to the world.

We launched MANGA DOJO TOKYO with the aim of creating a place that serves as a bridge between foreigners and Japanese creators, utilizing professional skills and interpretation services.

Your website highlights lessons taught by manga/anime industry experts, such as for example Kazuo Maekawa sensei. Could you elaborate on their current or past professional work?

The lead instructor for the manga experience, Mr. Kazuo Maekawa, has 27 years of experience as a manga artist and is best known for the “Ace Attorney” series.

Other instructors include gourmet manga artists specializing in sweets and cooking manga, as well as female manga artists who create shoujo manga, all of whom are active professionals in the field.

In the anime production experience, current animators who actually run anime production companies provide guidance.

In the cosplay makeup experience, current cosplayers specializing in gothic lolita-style cosplay serve as instructors.

Additionally, in the sake tasting experience, experts certified as “Sake Navigators” will explain the charm of sake in an enjoyable manner, including pairing suggestions.

On the Manga Lessons page, several courses are mentioned. Could you provide a detailed explanation of each? And are there any skill level restrictions for participation?

At Manga Dojo Tokyo, we offer two types of courses tailored to participants’ skill levels and preferences: the Standard Course and the Pro Course.

Standard Course: Recommended for beginners and families. This two-hour course covers everything from character design to creating a short manga story. No drawing skills are required, and anyone can participate. (Participants must be 5 years old or older.)

Pro Course: For those who have some drawing experience. This course is recommended for those who want to learn character design and short story creation in a more advanced manner, focusing on specialized topics such as layout, panel division, and facial angles.

Both courses include a Q&A session with professional manga artists and the opportunity to touch original artwork.

Regarding your cosplay makeup workshop, could you detail what the experience entails?

In this two-hour workshop led by active cosplayers, you can try out the following makeup styles (please let us know your preferred style in advance):

• Doll-style makeup
• Gothic Lolita makeup
• Cross-gender makeup (male to female and female to male are both available)

During the event, we will also hold a mini photo session, and you will receive the photo data afterward, which you can share on social media.

Wigs and makeup tools will be provided, so you can participate hands-free.

This program is open to all genders and nationalities.

Also, could you please share a brief overview of your sake tasting course? We’d love to know if it’s suitable for beginners and how the experience is structured, especially how the sake selections are made.

A certified sake navigator will guide you through the world of sake in an easy-to-understand manner, even for beginners.

Experience details:

• Enjoy the differences in aroma, taste, and temperature through a tasting of 5-6 types of sake (Kunshu, Soshu, Junshu, and Jukushu flavor types)
• Comparative tasting of hot sake (experience the difference in flavor based on temperature)
• Design your own “masu” (sake cup) with a brush pen to take home as a souvenir
• Pairing of light snacks that complement sake

This program is particularly recommended for travelers interested in sake and those trying it for the first time.

Are all the experiences offered in English, and could you let us know which ones are appropriate for children?

Yes, English-speaking staff members accompany all experiences, so participation in English is possible.

The manga experience is especially popular with children of all ages and skill levels.

Lastly, is there anything else that you’d like to share with our readers at Arigato Travel?

At MANGA DOJO TOKYO, we offer authentic Japanese pop culture experiences led by professional artists and creators.

Why not enjoy manga, anime, cosplay, sake, and other aspects of Japanese culture as memorable experiences during your visit to Japan?

We look forward to welcoming you.

Thank you for sharing the creative heart of Manga Dojo Tokyo with us. It’s clear that your expertise, ranging from manga and anime instruction to cosplay transformation and sake tasting, offers travelers a truly unique Tokyo experience. We’re excited for our readers to discover these artistic adventures firsthand!

Learn more about Manga Dojo Tokyo on:

Website: https://experiencetokyo-mirai.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mangadojo_tokyo/

Featured Photo Credit: Manga Dojo Tokyo

To check out Manga Dojo Tokyo and many other exciting activities, reach out to our Team of Travel Specialists to make a personalized itinerary for your full trip!