Tile breaking has long been used in martial arts and combat sports as a test of physical strength and performance. While many people may have seen it, very few have actually tried it themselves. One place where you can take on the challenge is Kawarawari Kawarana in Asakusa. Owner Tamio Kawaguchi opened this establishment in 2017 with the desire to let more people learn about the appeal of tile breaking, an activity in which he has personal experience. Since then, Kawarawari Kawarana has been featured on TV, YouTube, and social media sites as a place where people can have a unique experience.
While tile breaking is often seen as a test of strength, visitors to Kawarawari Kawarana come for a number of different reasons, such as relieving stress, making a wish, wanting something interesting to do, or making eye-catching videos for social media. It’s also said to be popular among visitors from abroad as an activity that allows them to experience Japanese culture. One reason for its popularity is that anyone can feel free to try it, as gloves are worn to prevent injury and participants receive a lecture from the staff before they try it themselves. You don’t even need to bring anything with you or make an advance reservation. I heard that it was a quick and easy way to try tile breaking, so I decided to give it a go.
Kawarawari Kawarana is located about a two-minute walk from the grounds of Senso-ji Temple. Look for its large Noren curtain and the wall of tiles stacked on top of each other. After receiving an explanation at the office and choosing the course you want to try, you sign a written pledge, and then you can go to where the tiles get broken. Deciding to go there and try it is easy enough, but when you see the tiles stacked in front of you, it fills you with a nervousness like you have never felt before.
I decided to give five tiles a shot. While this seems to be the beginner-level plan, the tiles are actually quite thick. There’s no way I can break these. But the personal lecture from Mr. Kawaguchi helped to dispel the doubts that weighed heavy on my mind. The basic motion is to clench your gloved hand into a fist, with the thumb side up and the pinky side down, and then swing your arm down from over your head toward the tiles. Spread your feet apart front-to-back to stabilize your lower body, and as you swing your arm downward, lower your hips until the knee of your rear leg is just above the floor. In other words, the main point is to use your whole body and take advantage of gravity as opposed to just using the strength of your arm.
The position and angle at which you hit the tiles is also important. The towel placed on top of the tiles has a red mark in the center. It’s important to aim for that mark, bringing your fist straight down on it from above. If you overdo it here and you hit the tiles at too much of an angle, it will be difficult to break them.
After practicing how to use your body and how to swing your arm down a few times, it’s time for the real thing, but the most important point here is to keep your mind focused. If you’re making a wish, think of that wish as you raise your fist over your head. Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and swing your arm downward all at once.
The smashing sound that comes next instantly breaks all of that tension. If all goes well, you will see five tiles on the floor, broken in half.
Having successfully broken the tiles, I was so overcome with feelings of relief and accomplishment that I instinctively pumped my fists in the air. My hand didn’t hurt at all, and I even got a surge of confidence and expectation, thinking, “Maybe I could have broken a few more!”
“Tile breaking looks painful! I don’t think I can do it! What if I can’t break any?” Any such doubts will be instantly transformed into feelings of exhilaration and accomplishment like you’ve never felt before. This is perhaps the best part about tile breaking. Even if you don’t actually break the tiles, the courage you mustered up to try it should give you a boost of self-confidence.
This is the kind of experience you can enjoy at Kawarawari Kawarana, which features plans such as the standard 5-Tile Challenge, as well as the 10-Tile Challenge for people who feel a bit more confident in their abilities. There is also the 8-Tile Wish Challenge, where you make a wish and break the tiles in the hopes that your wish comes true, as well as the Kawarana Guinness Challenge, where you try to break that year’s Kawarana record. Or you can choose exactly how many tiles you want to try to break.
There are also unique discount plans, such as the Cracked iPhone Discount, the Six-Pack Discount, and the Kimono Discount and Yukata Discount. I highly encourage everyone to give tile breaking a try, and experience the courage and sense of accomplishment that comes from taking on this challenge.
(As of publication on January 28, 2025)
Test Your Might Breaking Tiles in Asakusa!
Kawarawari Kawarana
WEB SITEArea: Asakusa Address: 2-27-17 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo-to Experience: Kawarawari Kawarana
