Top Kanazawa Cooking Classes

• Receive koicha — thick tea, rarely offered to visitors to Japan • Prepare usucha (thin tea) with your own hands, under the guidance of a tea master of 19 years • Spend 90 minutes as the sole guests in a 1923 machiya — the home where your host Yuta lives and practices • Learn Enshu-ryu, the samurai lineage of tea founded by Kobori Enshu, tea advisor to the Tokugawa shoguns • Taste seasonal jounamagashi, handcrafted the morning of your ceremony by a Kanazawa artisan • Speak openly about tea, aesthetics, or the philosophy of a life devoted to the way — as much as you wish

From ¥9,900 p.p. (min. 2) | Same-day OK — book up to 2 hours before. Fully private, no strangers, just your group. A 19-year tea master guides you through authentic Enshu-ryū ceremony in a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district. Step inside a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district for a completely private tea ceremony. Your host Yuta has practiced tea for 19 years in the Enshu-ryū tradition, rooted in samurai culture. This is not a group workshop — it is an intimate ceremony performed exclusively for you, in a tea room with tatami and tokonoma alcove. During the 70-minute session, you will: · Watch a full tea ceremony demonstration · Whisk your own bowl of matcha. · Enjoy traditional dry sweets (higashi) · Ask anything — about tea, aesthetics, or Kanazawa · Take a commemorative photo Completely private. No other guests. No rush. English-guided throughout. Please note: · Socks recommended · Additional guests: ¥9,900/person (max 5)

Step inside the studio, located near Kanazawa's famous Higashi Chaya Tea District, and take part in a celebratory family meal, prepared for special guests. Every culture has its own ways of marking moments, recognizing the unique times that punctuate ordinary life. In Japan, these special days are called hare no hi — literally “sunny days” — and food has long been a common way to celebrate special events. Many families still maintain older cultural traditions around home-cooked meals ordinarily reserved for extraordinary days. This workshop is centered around a traditional dish from Ishikawa called sasa-zushi, or “bamboo sushi”, still prepared to celebrate special occasions. Every home cook has their own personal twist on the recipe, as these living traditions continue to evolve. The family prepares it all together as a group: first, line a press molds with a layer of sushi rice, add your own choice of toppings, then press, slice, and wrap each individual piece in a bamboo leaf.

Kanazawa is one of the three major confectionery areas in Japan. The Sono Residence was built in 1921, and each room of the residence and its tea ceremony room was built under the guidance of the Omotesenke Iemoto, a master of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony, for use in tea ceremonies　In this program, you can experience making seasonal Japanese sweets with a Japanese confectionary chef, and then you can experience the tea

You can experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. After a full explanation of the session in English, you will enter the tea room. The host will serve thick Matcha (koicha) followed by light Matcha (usucha). Watching the preparation of thick Matcha is very rare, making this a truly valuable experience. (Approximately 1 hour) After the tea preparation, you can experience grinding matcha with a stone mill and making your own matcha. Detailed instructions are provided in English. (Approximately 20 minutes) Seiza (kneeling) is not required, and chairs can be provided if needed.

Experience the delicate art of Japanese sweets and the serene ritual of the tea ceremony in Kanazawa. This hands-on workshop blends creativity, culture, and mindfulness as you craft seasonal wagashi and learn authentic matcha preparation. Guided by a local expert, you’ll discover the meaning behind each sweet design and the grace of tea etiquette. Unlike typical tastings, this immersive experience invites you to participate fully, connecting you with Kanazawa’s refined traditions in an intimate, welcoming setting. Perfect for travelers seeking both artistry and cultural depth.

Swap Kanazawa sightseeing for the perfect foodie experience—a hands-on sushi-making lesson in a traditional house. No need to worry about bringing anything with you, as all ingredients and utensils are included. During the lesson, use local produce to make colorful and very Instagram-worthy “temari” sushi with your favorite ingredients and toppings. At the end, feast on your creations and round off the experience with a mini-tea ceremony.

Discover the charm of Kanazawa on this half-day private tour, guided by a local expert. This tour includes a sushi-making experience! (About 1hour) You’ll receive one-on-one instruction from a sushi master with 50 years of experience! At the end of the experience, you’ll also receive a certificate of completion to take home! This tour starting from the Kanazawa Station, we’ll head straight to the Sushi-making experience. After finishing it, we’ll explore the iconic spots in Kanazawa like beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, or Samurai district. (Depends on your preference) Enjoy personalized tour!!! - Private tour lasting approximately 6 - 7 hours. (Including Making Sushi Experience) - Start and finish the tour at Kanazawa Station with an easy-to-recognize guide -After the Sushi experience, we’ll explore some iconic places depends on your preferences. -Admission fees and any café expenses for guide would kindly be covered by the guests.

■ Experience Highlights ・Held in a traditional Kanazawa machiya townhouse ・Small-group setting ・English-friendly ・Participation is optional and relaxed (no pressure) ・Made with fresh local ingredients ・Warm, home-visit atmosphere ・Includes local sightseeing tips Please note: This is not a formal cooking class.

*Savour 450 Year Old Wisdom and Purify Your Heart *The Power of Words: Kotodama *The Beauty of Graceful Conduct *Refining the Heart to Fulfill Your Mission *Welcome to the Timeless Tradition of Japanese Tea Culture *Discover the Beauty of Japanese Tradition: The Way of Tea *A Special Moment to Savour Japanese Culture *Understanding the Significance of Movements with Thoughtful Explanations *Questions and Curiosity Are Always Welcome *The Tea Ceremony Experience Reflects the Seasons *Passing Down the Spirit of the Tea Ceremony *Aesthetics of the Tea Ceremony and Samurai Hospitality were *Fostered Under the Kaga Hyakumangoku *What is Kaga Hyakumangoku?