Workshops & Courses

I offer schools a special SCHOOL PACKAGE. To find out more, please click the button below.

SCHOOL PACKAGE

Chigiri-e Workshop

Chigiri-e is a traditional Japanese art form in which pictures are created from pieces of hand-torn Japanese paper called ‘washi’. In this workshop, I will show you how to create chigiri-e with modern material – newspaper.

My chigiri-e technique is simple and it requires few materials. After attending this workshop, you will be able to start making your own chigiri-e at home without getting any expensive materials.

Suitable for both adults and children (4+).

I deliver my workshops in the North East England (County Durham, Newcastle and surrounding areas). Please inquire if you are further afield.

For more information or to book a workshop,
please contact: admin@norikoart.com

 ✨ I am currently offering online workshops (group sessions) on Zoom. ✨

Book a Online Workshop

Recording available!
Chigiri-e Workshop with Noriko Matsubara hosted by Hexamtv

Join Noriko for a recording of a family friendly 1 hour Japanese paper collage art workshop.
The workshop took place online on 20th January 2022.
If you missed it, don’t worry! The recording is available to buy from HexamTV.

Buy the Recording
Chigiri-e workshop by Noriko Matsubara on HexamTV on 20 January 2022
Hexam TV Live Show
"A very creative and almost spiritual experience."
Anthony Mares
"Absolutely brilliant - Noriko is very patient and encouraging and her art is beautiful."
Nicky Smith
"Time just disappeared. Would love to do again."
Jayne Ryan

Origami Workshop

This workshop will give you an authentic experience of learning art of paper folding. Born and raised in Japan, I have been practicing origami since the age of 4. I will deliver tailor made workshops that suit any age over 4 years old.

Suitable for both adults and children (4+).

I deliver my workshops in the North East England (County Durham, Newcastle and surrounding areas). Please inquire if you are further afield.

For more information or to book a workshop,
please contact: admin@norikoart.com

Japanese Origami Winter Workshop by Noriko Matsubara at Land of Oak & Iron
"Absolutely great, thoroughly enjoyed it. As a complete beginner I was able to learn so much. Thank you."
Sophie Marchal
"Loved the clear instructions, step by step. I've done origami before, but good to lean other shapes, and stuff I can't complete by myself. Very good fun."
Kirsty Ramshaw
"Loved it, a new and interesting craft. Great and very good guidance from Noriko. Thank you!"
Carol J. Truscott

Author Visits

I enjoy visiting schools & libraries to read and talk about my picture books and work with children.
 
My typical library storytime includes book reading with puppets and some songs, followed by craft workshop (30min – 1h).
 
For school visits, I charge £350 for a full day or £210 for a half day.
 
Living in Consett, County Durham, I ask 45p per mile travel expenses (or train fare) for anywhere outside 20mile radius of Consett.
 

For further information or to book an author’s visit,
please contact: admin@norikoart.com

Picture Books by Noriko Matsubara

Children's book author and illustrator Noriko Matsubara's author visit at Bishops Stortford Library, Hertfordshire, UK.

Find children’s activities and teaching resources here.

Activities & Resources
"The humble sock will never seem the same after finishing this eye-catching picture book."
Independent on Sunday
"This adorable tale of the separation and reunion of two little socks is bound to prove a favourite, with its cute, quirky illustrations and surprise, happy ending."
Teach Nursery
"A wonderfully quirky story about a two truly close-knit friends!"
Lancashire Evening Post
"I borrowed this from the library to read to a 2½ year old little girl and she loved it so much that I had to keep on renewing it! In the end, I decided to buy it for her and now, when she comes to visit, it's the first thing she makes a beeline for. I've lost count of the number of times I've read it but no matter because it's a delight each and every time. Little Ava now finishes the lines of the story, enjoys describing all the different socks and loves Bocchi and Pocchi so much. I wish I could knit so I could make them for her!"
SueKich (Amazon Customer)
"The Bocchi and Pocchi stories have become a big hit with my 3 year old. We went to a story time at our local library with the author Noriko, a delightful lady who is brilliant with children and very enthusiastic about her stories. My little boy was a bit too excited to concentrate at first as his friends were also there but he loved the puppets Noriko brought and enjoyed making his own felt version of Bocchi and Pocchi. We bought all 3 stories there and then and my son has asked to read them everyday since. This a delightful tale about 2 socks who are reunited once one goes missing even I quite enjoyed it. Was good for teaching my young child about emotions. He’s beginning to recognise and empathise with others who are sad."
Lealu (Amazon Customer)
"I have a three-year-old son and I volunteer to read to fifty toddlers every week. I just read this book for the first time today and the children LOVED it. The story is simple and yet very moving, and the artwork is gorgeous. Highly recommend."
W. Kent Sligh (Amazon Customer)
"I love this book! I've bought 5 copies so far, one for every friend with a young child and one copy for me (signed by the author!), even though I have no children nor plan to."
Lucious (Amazon Customer)
"I bought this for my Niece's first birthday in September and I am so thrilled with it. It's is a lovely book with beautiful pictures and a unique story."
Gillian Hudson (Amazon Customer)
"Great book both for children and adults. Wonderful colour and cute characters with a sweet and heart-warming story. Highly recommended!"
Amazon Customer

🇯🇵 Beginner’s Japanese Online Course 🇯🇵

Learn Japanese with Bocchi & Pocchi's Creator

Are you looking for a beginner’s Japanese course that’s effective, engaging, and fun? Join Noriko, creator of the popular YouTube channel Bocchi & Pocchi: Japanese Learning Adventures, as she guides you step-by-step through essential Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and cultural insights.
 

This course is perfect for anyone who is planning a trip to Japan, passionate about its culture, or starting your language journey. Whether you’re already a fan of Bocchi & Pocchi or just discovering them, this course is designed to meet your needs. It builds on themes introduced in Noriko’s YouTube videos and offers interactive, visually engaging lessons that are ideal for children, teens, and adults.

This course equips you with practical language skills and cultural knowledge to navigate Japan confidently and make the most of your experience. Enrol today to begin your Japanese learning adventure!

For any inquiries, please contact: admin@norikoart.com

Learn Japanese with Bocchi and Pocchi's Creator Udemy Course
Sign up on Udemy
"I thoroughly enjoyed this course, although it's been some time since I've done any studying (I'm 75). It is an excellent introduction to Japanese, and will be particularly useful to anyone visiting Japan for the first time. Being able to go at my own pace was especially helpful as I found some of the words difficult to pronounce: I had to keep going back until I got it more or less right. I concentrated on the spoken aspect of the course, but will be revising it to think more about the written aspect All in all the course was practical, interesting and fun."
Karen B.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the lessons. Noriko’s teaching is so engaging and interactive. Her English is excellent, and she uses many cute pictures to help me remember the words. The lessons are easy to follow, even for someone with no background in the Japanese language. Thanks to her vivid illustrations, I was able to retain most of what I learned. These lessons include many useful daily dialogues in Japanese. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to learn Japanese from scratch or is planning their first trip to Japan. Definitely 5 stars class!"
W. Nicholson⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I've known these topics about the writing system before (hiragana, katakana, and kanji, and romanji) but now i know even more! Especially the history of them, how they are taught in school, how they are now used by the Japanese, and how these writing systems are used in sentence structures. I already understand how they are used (Kanji for names), their way of writing (up-down, left-right), and much more!"
Daniel N.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Noriko instils confidence and has a very soothing voice and infliction to her voice. The content is very thorough, but not overwhelmingly so. This is a fantastic course that makes it very easy to learn basic Japanese."
Christopher L.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Past Workshops & Events

2025

Japanese Art, Culture & Language Workshop** – Leadgate Youth Club, Consett
**Hosted by Building Self-Belief, Newcastle University, with support from the Japan Foundation

Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Thorp Academy, Ryton
Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – South Street Community Primary School, Gateshead
Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Wardley Primary School, Gateshead
Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, Gateshead
Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Kelvin Grove Community Primary School, Gateshead
Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Heworth Grange School, Gateshead
*Hosted by Newcastle University & Gateshead Council, with support from the Japan Foundation

2024

Japanese Art & Culture Workshop* – Whickam School, Whickam
*Hosted by Newcastle University & Gateshead Council, with support from the Japan Foundation

Origami Workshop – Leadgate Primary School, Consett

2023

Chigiri-e Workshop – Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki Exhibition – Oriental Museum, Durham

Origami Workshop – Leadgate Primary School, Consett

2022

Chigiri-e Workshop for One World Week – Shotley Bridge Primary School, Consett

Chigiri-e Workshop for Buddha’s Birthday Celebration – Oriental Museum, Durham

Chigiri-e Workshop – Hartlepool Art Gallery, Hartlepool

Japanese Art & Culture Workshop for the STEM Week – Yarm School, Yarm

Virtual Author Visit – The Brook Special Primary School, London

Chigiri-e Workshop (online) hosted by Hexham TV (Recording available here)

2021

Chigiri-e Workshop, Make in Durham – Durham Town Hall, Durham

Noriko Matsubara’s Global World (online) hosted by Aomori Global Academy Inspiring Network (AGAIN)

Public Seminar by Noriko Matsubara (online) hosted by Newcastle University

2019

Japanese Origami Winter Workshop – Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon-on-Tyne

Noriko Matsubara’s Talk & Book Signing – Hachinohe Book Center, Hachinohe, Japan

Children’s Workshop & Book Signing – Hachinohe Portal Museum, Hachinohe, Japan 

Story time with Noriko Matsubara – Whickham Volunteer Library Association, Whickham

Story time with Noriko Matsubara – Annfield Plain Library, Annfield Plain

Chigiri-e Hedgehog Workshop with NorikoArt – Keeper’s Cafe, Dipton

Origami Taster Session – Keeper’s Cafe, Dipton