The Peninsula Academy

Japan's plastic and wax food samples have charmed visitors worldwide. To the Japanese these ubiquitous displays are simply a practical way of reviewing a restaurant or café’s offerings before entering; to those new to this shop-front custom, they are amazing works of pop art – colorful, realistic and fun – that everyone longs to bring home as a souvenir.

The Peninsula Tokyo offers visitors opportunity to craft their own food models to keep or give as gifts. Participants in the Peninsula Academy Fun of Faux Food workshop will be driven in a hotel car to Yamato Sample Factory, a family-run business with a 60-year history making deliciously real-looking wax and plastic samples for the food industry.

Each participant aged six and up can create their own samples of a sundae and a small tarte, other than these, guests will be able to choose 1 additional item from: ramen, tempura, curry or pizza. In a relaxed neighborhood setting with the expert Ito family as a guide, this hands-on class promises fun for all ages and an insider’s look at a cottage industry born in Japan some eight decades ago.

This program lasts 3 hours, can start at any time between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm on Friday to Tuesday only (Closed on Wednesday and Thursday), and is available for parties of one to three, for 6 years of age or older, at least one person must be an adult. For reservations, please contact the Concierge 2 business days in advance. Reservations are subject to availability and reservations must be guaranteed by credit card.