Top Kansai Dining Experiences

Learn how to make an authentic cup of matcha during your time in Osaka in this small-group class. Whether you're traveling solo or are part of a group, your instructor walks you through each step and corrects any mistakes. All of the tools and ingredients are prepared for you, and your tea break comes with Japanese sweets for the full experience.

Even if your visit to Japan doesn’t coincide with the official sumo season, you can still watch wrestlers show off their skills during a sumo show experience in Kyoto. Not only will you watch the retired athletes perform classic moves in a traditional ring, but you’ll enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and you can even challenge a wrestler to a match.

Osaka is nicknamed "Japan's Kitchen" thanks to its incredible food scene. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick which spots to go to. Skip the research and leave the navigation to your guide on this group tour, where you'll try a variety of dishes and drinks throughout the evening.

Mochi balls are one of Japan’s favorite snacks; this mochi-pounding experience helps you do more than just eat the sweet or savory treats, and tells you how to make your own mochi at home. A small group promises personalized attention from your instructor, while a selection of different flavors ensures a bite for all tastes.

Ramen and gyoza are two of Japan’s most popular and tasty dishes, and rather than just eating them in restaurants, this cooking class teaches you to make them from scratch. Rather than having to source ingredients, everything you need is provided, with a chef to provide step-by-step guidance. Then, at the end, you can enjoy the best bit—savoring the taste of your delicious Japanese foodie creations.

Avoid superficial travel experiences and gain a deeper, more meaningful introduction to Japanese tradition in Kyoto with a private tea ceremony inside a traditional home. Instead of simply observing, you’re guided by a tea master who explains the purpose behind each gesture as you learn to prepare matcha the traditional way. It’s a calm, immersive experience that replaces uncertainty with clear understanding of etiquette and ritual.

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your guide on an exploration of the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like cooking and eating a meal with a local. Emika opens her Kyoto home to visitors to cook a meal and share conversation. Enjoy learning to make traditional Obanzai cuisine, like marinated mushrooms, slow-cooked vegetables, miso soup and tofu dishes with your Kyoto native host. Chat over the meal you prepared, and get recommendations on the city.

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.

Enjoy a delicious plate of Osaka’s most famous street food, takoyaki. Learn how to make your own grilled octopus balls in this cooking class. You’ll use your teacher’s secret recipe and special ingredients like Wagyu and cheese to make takoyaki that may be even better than what you can buy outside. Enhance the experience with a Japanese sake tasting led by a sake sommelier.

This hands-on culinary experience in Kyoto offers much more than your standard sushi-making class. As well as learning tips and tricks to get the iconic rolled rice dish right at home, you’ll witness a live tuna cutting demonstration and will have the chance to make and eat unlimited sushi rather than a limited amount.

Your private food tour begins in front of FamilyMart Sanno, where you'll meet your expert guide ready to take you on a culinary journey through Osaka. You'll visit five different eateries, ranging from backstreet stalls to standing bars, each offering a unique taste of traditional Osakan food. One of the highlights of the tour is Shinsekai, a district known for its vibrant food scene. Your guide will lead you through the hidden gems of Shinsekai's backstreets, where you'll discover authentic eateries serving up tantalizing dishes. Despite the lack of English menus, your guide will ensure you have a seamless dining experience, explaining each dish and helping you interact with locals. As you explore the markets and neighborhoods, you'll soak in the genuine neighborhood atmosphere while the aroma of delicious food fills the air. From exciting and fresh flavors to a mix of old and new, Osaka's food scene is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you feeling like a true Osakan.

Enjoy a quintessential Japanese tradition in the heart of Kyoto. This tea ceremony takes place in an historic wooden townhouse ("machiya"), which is now the Nishijin Lifestyle Museum. Soak up traditional Japanese culture and learn more about this artful ritual without worrying about making mistakes. Have the opportunity to wear a kimono during the ceremony and townhouse tour.

Create your own rare, rainbow-colored Takoyaki, learn to cook it with guidance from your staff, enjoy all-you-can-eat fun, and taste a variety of Japanese dishes — a rare and unforgettable experience in Osaka!

"Opening hours: 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM" Hours may vary. Please check in advance. 5,000-yen Course – Casual Course (6 Dishes) A well-balanced Italian course perfect for casual gatherings. Enjoy appetizers, fresh salad, stone-baked pizza, pasta, and juicy grilled chicken as the main dish, ending with a delightful dessert. 8,000-yen Course – Premium Course (8 Dishes) A luxurious Italian course featuring high-quality beef. Includes appetizers, salad, freshly baked pizza, seasonal pasta, and a tender beef main, finished with a chef’s dessert. Perfect for anniversaries or special occasions. 8,000-yen Course – Japanese Course (6 Dishes) Experience Japan’s four seasons through a traditional course: seasonal appetizers, sushi, tempura, Wagyu steak, and a chef’s dessert. A blissful dining journey filled with Japanese elegance. Menu may change depending on season and ingredients. ------------------- All-you-can-drink upgrade +¥2,000 VIP seat fee included Last seating at 22:00

This is the only place in Japan where you can learn from a sushi chef! ︎ Try wearing a happi coat, take photos, and try making sushi! ︎ There's also a souvenir corner!

The best way to appreciate Japan’s great food is to learn to cook it yourself. This immersive tour starts with meeting your guide (and chef), to cook a meal together, and explore the Karahori Shotengai market (if option selected). It’ll help you learn about ingredients, techniques, and culinary traditions before you cook. The cooking experience will cover dishes such as sushi, character bento boxes, or Japanese curry rice. You’ll be able to ask questions and go at your own pace.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil world of the Sencha Tea Ceremony in Kyoto, guided by an experienced Tea Master from the West. Begin with a mindful observation of the intricate tea preparation, absorbing the refined elegance of every gesture. Savor the delicate flavor of freshly brewed gyokuro in a serene tearoom, then transition into a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the essential techniques of the ceremony. Brew your own cup of gyokuro and enjoy it with seasonal wagashi, engaging in thoughtful conversation that reveals the deeper essence of Japanese hospitality and tea culture.

We extend a warm welcome to you! To begin, let us enjoy a cup of welcome tea and engage in conversation. We understand that the journey from your hotel to the studio may have been long, so please take this opportunity to relax. After then, we have a little understanding of the tea in Japan and other areas through our explanation about the specific parts of the idea and manners of the Japanese tea ceremony, we should start to see the tea master's tea ceremony demonstration. Then, you also model her and experience the most essential part of the tea ceremony procedure, which involves internalizing the key concepts of the tea ceremony and preparing Matcha. Once prepared, your tea will be tasted by others, creating a harmonious and pure tea space. We hope you will enjoy this unique and cultural experience.

You will take part in an authentic sushi-making experience, guided step by step by a professional sushi master. From preparing the rice to selecting and slicing the fish, you’ll gain hands-on insight into every stage of the process and discover what makes true Edomae sushi so special. The experience is not only educational, but also highly interactive and fun. You’ll learn how to shape sushi with the right balance and technique, compare your creations with the chef’s, and enjoy the satisfaction of tasting what you’ve made yourself. Along the way, the chef will share interesting stories and practical tips, making the session lively, engaging, and memorable for all participants.

In this class, you will experience making home-style ramen and homemade gyoza from scratch using simple ingredients in a home environment. Not only will you get to enjoy a fun cultural experience during your Japan trip, but with the skills you learn, you can actually try and cook these dishes once you return home. My guests often tell me that they're surprised how simple it is to make and how delicious the food turns out. After my class, you will hopefully have the confidence to cook some delicious Japanese food for your loved ones at home.

You will learn the basic information of miso such as the making process, the variety of miso. After tasting 5 different types of miso, guests will make own miso which guests can bring back with them. It includes the tips to how to use each type of miso for daily cooking, so that guests can have more cooking variety even after they are back home. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of miso.

• Not just a tasting — learn how to choose sake like a local in Kyoto. • Taste 5 carefully selected sake varieties, including local Kyoto sake • Enjoy food pairings that highlight the unique flavors of each sake • Beginner-friendly explanations using simple and visual methods • Learn the basics of sake, including polishing ratios and brewing styles • Small group setting for a relaxed and interactive experience • Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and first-time sake drinkers