Top Japan Food & Drink Classes

Rather than drinking matcha in a restaurant, this traditional tea ceremony lets you watch a tea master prepare it from scratch. Held in a beautiful teahouse overlooking a famous garden, the setting offers peaceful views as you take part. The session includes two cups of matcha and traditional Japanese sweets, all served through a series of graceful rituals.

Our tea ceremony experience is designed to be welcoming, approachable, and meaningful. While the traditional tea ceremony is often seen as formal and solemn, we aim to share its beauty in a comfortable and accessible way. Guests enjoy the experience seated on chairs, allowing anyone—including those unfamiliar with floor seating or with limited mobility—to participate with ease. Throughout the session, you will explore the history of tea in Japan, learn how Zen philosophy shaped the heart of the tea ceremony, and observe authentic techniques performed up close by a tea master, allowing you to appreciate the subtlety and refinement of this art. In the second half, you will savor carefully selected traditional sweets from long-established artisans and make your own bowl of matcha using premium tea sourced from a family-run farm. We conclude with a Q&A session to deepen your understanding. We hope this experience becomes the beginning of your journey into Japanese tea culture.

Refine your cooking skills and enrich your knowledge of Japanese cuisine during a kaiseki ryouri (haute cuisine) cookery class in Tokyo. In a small group, limited to a maximum of eight people, prepare up to eight different dishes featuring Wagyu beef, Japanese vegetables, and traditional seasonings. Then, sit down to feast on the fruits of your labors, accompanied by sake and green tea.

Osaka is home to some of Japan's best food, and this group sushi-making session is a great way to sharpen your culinary skills. Instead of just going out for sushi, why not learn how to make it at home, too? Eat when you're hungriest with classes in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Japan is known for its exceptional sushi, and Kyoto has no shortage of great restaurants—but this experience goes a step further by letting you make your own sushi from scratch. During the class, enjoy an introduction to sushi and Japanese food culture, then learn how to prepare around 10 pieces yourself, which you can enjoy at the end alongside a tasting of Japanese sake.

Osaka is a paradise for food lovers, with signature dishes like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and ramen. Learn how to make some of these foods at home in this homestyle cooking class. Make ramen and gyoza from scratch, including kneading noodles by hand and making a ramen broth. Customize your gyoza filling and ramen toppings according to your tastes.

Indulge your inner foodie and learn to make ramen and gyoza like a pro with this cooking class in Tokyo. After visiting a local market and heading to a spacious kitchen, enjoy a hands-on experience with a local chef and discover how to prepare the perfect noodle soup (ramen) and minced pork dumplings (gyoza). Then, savor your creation in a fun atmosphere.

Ramen is one of Japan’s most popular dishes—a noodle and broth soup, topped with various meat or vegetable combinations. On this tour, learn how to make ramen from scratch at a local ramen factory, including making the noodles, mixing the soup, and adding the toppings. Finish by enjoying your delicious bowl of home-cooked ramen. The factory is also Halal-certified and vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

Try your hand at traditional Japanese cooking and learn how to make ramen from scratch, as well as two types of gyoza. This small-group cooking class in Nishinomiya gives you hands on experience and the chance to learn cooking techniques that can easily be replicated back home. After preparing your meal, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor together, with a seasonal dessert.

If you’re a fan of sushi, learn to make it yourself the authentic Japanese way during a sushi-making cooking class in Tsukiji. Your expert sushi-chef instructor will share insider tips for producing perfect sushi every time. Learn about different types of sushi, and make two—nigiri and rolled sushi—before enjoying your creations. Sake and soft drinks are available for purchase to complement your meal.

Perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony dressed in a ceremonial kimono during this small-group cultural experience in Kyoto. Learn about the meaning of different kimono patterns and the history behind the tea ceremony from your guide, then watch the professional tea master prepare a cup of tea. Sip your tea and learn about Japanese manners during a tea ceremony, then enjoy the opportunity to try your hand at brewing your own.

Learn how to whisk matcha like a pro during this matcha-matching class in the heart of Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most traditional neighborhoods. Under the guidance of your instructor, learn the art of preparing matcha step by step then enjoy a cup accompanied by some delicious traditional Japanese sweets.

The refined setting of a Japanese tea ceremony can feel intimidating to travelers. This immersive small-group Kyoto experience unravels some of the mystery. With the help of an expert, don a beautiful kimono and have your hair styled, then participate in a traditional tea ceremony in an elegant tea room; learn how to prepare matcha; and, if you like, create your own piece of calligraphy.

Discover the culinary traditions of Japan in Osaka, one of Japan’s best food cities, on this small-group cooking lesson at a local's home. Learn how to prepare popular Japanese dishes including *okonomiyaki* (savory pancakes), *takoyaki* (deep fried octopus balls), and miso soup. You can expand your Japanese cuisine knowledge, and best of all, eat your creations when you’re finished.

Soba noodles are a staple of Japanese cuisine, and a treat for visitors in Japan—but learning how to craft these hand-cut buckwheat noodles is usually left to professional chefs, and especially tricky if you don't speak Japanese. During this private cooking workshop in Sapporo, mix flour and stretch and cut the dough to master the art of making soba yourself. Then, sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared meal.

Get hands‑on in a Japanese kitchen with this private cooking tour where you learn to make ramen and gyoza from scratch. Under expert guidance, you’ll knead dough, mix fillings, and prepare classic Tokyo comfort food—then enjoy your creations. A perfect, tasty combo of cooking, culture and delicious results for travelers who want to cook and eat like locals, with a skill they can take home and keep.

Enjoy a cultural experience at Nishiki Orizuruya, a traditional tea house in Kyoto. All plans include kimono rental (with free hair styling for women) and are guided in English. Tea Ceremony (90 min): Learn the art of Japanese tea in a peaceful tea room. Watch a demonstration, then prepare your own matcha using a bamboo whisk. Savor traditional sweets from a 100-year-old confectionery. Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy: Combine the tea ceremony with Japanese calligraphy. After enjoying matcha and sweets, learn to write your favorite kanji using a brush and ink. A great chance to create a personal keepsake. Tea Ceremony & Gold Leaf (130 min): After the tea ceremony, join a hands-on gold leaf workshop and decorate a small plate with high-purity gold leaf. Take home your handmade souvenir. Tea Ceremony & Nishiki Tour(150 min): Join a tea ceremony, then explore Nishiki Market and the local area with an English-speaking guide. Discover Kyoto’s food culture, shrines, and historic shops.

The greatest feature of this activity is that it is a fully private experience combining a guided walk around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ujigami Shrine with an authentic matcha experience. Led by a former maiko, the experience goes beyond the taste of matcha to introduce the essence of Japanese culture through movement, space, and ma. The subtle sense of pause and harmony, explained in a clear and approachable way. After tasting several varieties of matcha, you will also prepare your own bowl of matcha in a traditional tearoom. By seeing, listening, tasting, and practicing, you can experience Japanese tea culture in a truly immersive way. As this is a completely private experience, it allows families and couples to enjoy a calm and intimate time without concern for other participants.

Experience an authentic tea ceremony, which is at the heart of Japanese culture and is a centuries old ritual, in Kyoto. You’ll be provided with a tea bowl, tea scoops and whisks, and instruction on how to make matcha. You’ll also try matcha and sweets, and you are encouraged to ask questions. Photos and short videos are permitted. Usually guests sit on the floor, but chairs and tables are also available if preferred.

When visiting Tokyo, don't just eat sushi: learn how to make it. This culinary experience takes place just steps from Senso-ji Temple, in the heart of the traditional Asakusa neighborhood, and immerses you in Japanese culinary culture. Learn how how to prepare authentic sushi and rolls, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your effort with your classmates.

Take a closer look at the fascinating world of sushi, extending from the ocean to your plate, during this 4-hour sushi-making class and a visit to the outer Tsukiji fish market. Tour one of the world’s largest seafood markets with a guide as you learn how fish is caught, distributed, and sold. Then turn your attention to sushi-making, learning to prepare nigiri sushi with the help of a sushi master. Finish your experience by enjoying your creations for lunch.

Learn to make a traditional Japanese meal during this private cooking lesson in Sapporo. Join a professional culinary instructor for a hands-on workshop including starters, main dishes, and side dishes such as sushi, somen noodles, and grilled chicken. Get advice and recipes for recreating the Japanese feast back home.

Immerse yourself in the world of Japanese tradition and enjoy a heartwarming experience. Begin with an introduction to the program and a brief explanation of wagashi. Then, make two types of wagashi with the guidance of an instructor. After the experience, so please enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets in the tea room. Capture memorable moments during a photo session. Discover the joy of crafting Japanese delicate sweets, connect with culture, and create unforgettable memories in a serene setting. There is also a space where traditional Japanese crafts are available for purchase - please take a look if you have extra time.