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Introduction to Ikebana Class: Create a Japanese Floral Design Reviews

5 Rating 51 Reviews
Read ClassBento UK Reviews

This is a fun activity in Balham, London

Ikebana is a revered Japanese art form of floral design ~ Kado is the Way of Flowers, where nature, mindful intention and artistry come together in harmonious expression. This is a hands‑on workshop where you’ll be introduced to the core techniques and cultural principles that make Ikebana such a unique and meaningful art form.

Your experience begins as you step inside a beautiful home overlooking a lush garden filled with Japanese maples, ferns, and an abundance of plant life. The setting itself is a tranquil, plant-filled sanctuary designed to inspire and creates an immediate sense of peace and creative energy.

You’ll work with a premium selection of seasonal flowers, sculptural branches, and carefully chosen plant material, including unusual and expressive stems that elevate your arrangement. Each participant receives personal, step‑by‑step guidance from me, a certified Sogetsu Ikebana teacher, ensuring you feel supported, confident, and creatively free throughout the process. I share the techniques, principles, treasured insights and valuable practical tips through subtle observations that bring Ikebana to life, from the first cut to the final placement.

The sessions honour the meditative spirit of Ikebana, inviting you to slow down, notice the character of each stem, and express your own artistic voice through natural materials. It is a moment to reconnect with nature, refine your artistic perspective and experience the calm beauty of this timeless Japanese art.

I welcome participants of all skill levels, requiring no previous flower arranging experience. The Japanese approach to floral design focuses on form, space and balance. It is accessible for complete beginners yet fascinating for those with creative interests or experience.

I keep my classes small, limited to 8 participants, allowing me to offer attentive guidance and personal support in a setting surrounded by natural beauty.

At the end of the session you will have created your very own signature Ikebana arrangement, a gorgeous showcase of your new skills. You will have extra flowers and plant material to continue creating and exploring at home.

If you are GIFTING this experience, you can arrange to purchase the Kenzan (metal pin flower holder) and the Suiban ceramic container in advance. Just send me a message after booking and I can take of this so that your guest simply arrives and enjoys a special Ikebana experience.

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Tara took us through the history and techniques of Ikebana in an interesting and engaging way. I certainly felt ready to give it a go! Her help and guidance was positive and encouraging.
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Posted 3 months ago
Marianne Ofner-Beed
Verified Reviewer
What a fabulous class. Learnt about the philosophy behind Ikebana and then created my own arrangement. It was a relaxing and at the same time uplifting experience. The teacher was great. I can highly recommend this class
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Posted 3 months ago
Carla Heyworth
Verified Reviewer
Incentivized
An informative and fun afternoon making a display from the beautiful selection of flowers. After introducing the basics and history of ikebana we made our own arrangement - during which the whole group of us (6 guests) talked and designed our display. The 1.5 hours whizzed by.
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Posted 3 months ago
Amar Aggarwall
Verified Reviewer
“My wife, daughter and I really enjoyed the Ikebana class. It was something completely new for all of us, but Tara made it feel very welcoming and easy to follow. We loved hearing about the history and meaning behind the art as well as creating our own arrangements. She was especially encouraging with my 14-year-old daughter, which made the experience even more special for her. A really relaxing and enjoyable introduction to Ikebana. Thank you for the extra flowers for us to take home and practice
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Posted 3 months ago
Laura Roberts
Verified Reviewer
Such a perfect afternoon! Tara talked us through the whole process so naturally. We came for our friends Hens and it was the perfect activity for her
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Posted 3 months ago
Lucy Masterton
Verified Reviewer
Wonderful class in a beautiful location. The perfect balance of tuition and space to be creative. The flowers provided gave lots of choice and range. I just wish I could have taken my arrangement home but it would not have survived travelling the length of the uk. Thankyou for a lovely class .
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Posted 4 months ago
Maria Fernanda Arciniegas
Verified Reviewer
My husband and I are Japan enthusiasts and had been wanting to do an ikebana workshop for years, and we’re so glad we found Tara’s class on Classbento. From the beginning of the workshop you are surrounded by a very zen atmosphere, with the calm music, plants and garden views. Tara is a very knowledgeable, creative and patient teacher, and we appreciated the theoretical background before diving into making our creations. We also liked the variety of materials provided and the fact that we were able to bring more flowers home to keep on practicing. It was a very relaxing and meditative way of spending our Saturday afternoon!
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Posted 4 months ago
This was such a calming, creative experience from start to finish. Tara explained everything in a way that felt approachable and not intimidating, even as a beginner. I especially appreciated learning the intention behind each stem and the thoughtful use of space. It made the whole process feel more meaningful than just arranging flowers. I left feeling relaxed, inspired, and proud of what I created. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something creative and peaceful to try.
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Posted 4 months ago