Yamagata SPIKE: Master Kendama with Free Expert Guidance!

Catching a swinging ball on a wooden spike—that is the art of kendama, an iconic Japanese skill toy. As Japan’s leading producer of kendamas, Nagai City in Yamagata is known as the heartland of the craft. At the city’s Kendama Plaza, you can practice for free, earn official skill certifications, and even design your very own kendama.

A Few Things to Know About Kendama

Kendama is widely recognized today as a classic Japanese traditional craft and folk toy. However, it actually originated in Europe, where it became quite popular among the aristocracy.

Kendama arrived in Japan during the 19th-century Edo period. The recognizable design used today is a Japanese refinement—the original version looked like the red kendama on the right in the image above. The biggest innovation was adding small and large cups for catching the ball, along with a cup at the base of the handle. Compared to the original version, which only featured a spike as a target, this redesign made the game more playful and dynamic.

In 1975, children's author Issei Fujiwara founded the Japan Kendama Association, officially standardizing the toy's rules, trick techniques, and competitive formats. Today, kendama enthusiasts worldwide aim to pass the association's official certification exams to earn a recognized rank.

Nagai City, Yamagata: Japan's Kendama Capital

Yamagata Kobo, located in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, is Japan's top manufacturer of competitive kendamas, accounting for roughly 70% of nationwide production. From kids to adults, nearly every resident in Nagai can show off a few impressive tricks, making the city a true kendama capital in name and spirit.

Try Your Hand at Kendama: Kendama Plaza SPIKE

Housed in a distinctive blue building, Kendama Plaza SPIKE was established by Nagai City to revitalize the local community through kendama culture. Here, you can try out various kendamas for free—and even receive hands-on instruction from world-class experts!

The venue's two managers, Satoru Akimoto and Takeshi Matsumoto, each possess over a decade of experience and have competed in the Kendama World Cup. In fact, Akimoto placed 3rd in the 2014 World Cup! Driven by their passion for the sport, both moved to Nagai to share the joy of kendama with visitors from around the globe.

Learn from the Masters!

In a kendama, the main handle is called the "ken" (sword) and the ball is called the "tama." Every technique revolves around making the ball land and balance on the handle. To start your session, pick a kendama from a wide variety of colorful options based on your favorite color or how it feels in your hand—all locally made in Nagai.

Expert instructors guide you step-by-step, starting with the basic grips. As you watch them demonstrate, the ball moves in effortless rhythm—as if guided by a spell that sends it exactly where they want it to go.

Once you give it a try yourself, you quickly realize it is far harder than it looks—proving that becoming a master takes serious practice! As a total beginner, I could only admire how the ball resting on the bottom cup looked remarkably like a delicious scoop of ice cream.

Kendamas Like You’ve Never Seen Before

In addition to standard models, Kendama Plaza SPIKE showcases all kinds of unique variations, such as kendamas resembling Japanese sweets, carp-shaped models, kokeshi doll designs, and even a version that has 10 balls! (shown in the photograph below)

Landing just one ball takes skill, so pulling off a trick with ten balls simultaneously requires truly incredible technique. Trying it leaves most people in a frantic scramble, yet the experts pull it off effortlessly—a true testament to their mastery!

Paint Your Own Custom Kendama

If you want to take the fun home, you can purchase a kendama on-site or decorate a custom design of your own. Visitors get remarkably creative, transforming their kendamas into everything from yarn-wrapped rabbits to floral artwork. I even made a custom kendama which I named "Matcha-kun"! (shown below on the right)

The only thing to consider when painting is whether your creation will be a display keepsake or a playable toy. If you plan to play with it, stick to painted designs rather than adding 3D decorations—3D elements can break during play, and an uneven surface makes landing the ball far more difficult.
Kendama Painting Experience: 2,500 yen per person

In Conclusion

Though simple at first glance, kendama gets surprisingly addictive the more you play. I slightly regret decorating my kendama, as it makes playing with it tricky! Take a trip to Kendama Plaza SPIKE, get hands-on experience with the toys, and you just might find yourself inspired to become a true kendama master who can land ten balls at once.

For our latest updates, visit our Facebook page: MATCHA - Japan Travel Web Magazine

If you liked this article, remember to log in and bookmark it!
Interview assistance courtesy of Yamagata Arcadia Tourism Bureau