Top Kansai 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.

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.

Soy sauce is an indispensable ingredient in Japanese food. After touring a genuine soy sauce brewery with a history of more than 100 years, visitors will enjoy a hands-on experience of pressing soy sauce from moromi, the base of soy sauce, using a traditional wooden press. Finish by attaching your own label to the bottle. You will taste the freshly pressed soy sauce, which has not been heated, with fresh tofu on the spot. [Highlights of the Experience] Experience at a natural-brewed soy sauce shop that has been in continuous operation for three generations since 1918. You will also have a chance to try your hand at squeezing soy sauce by hand using our original squeezer. The squeezed soy sauce is then packaged in bottles and decorated. The squeezed soy sauce is then filled into bottles and decorated to create your own personalized soy sauce. Mitarashi dumplings with an original sauce made from Tokusei soy sauce in collaboration with a popular local store of long standing.

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the heart of bustling Osaka. Tea ceremonies have been an art form in Japan since the 16th century, and this class will teach you about the cultural significance and history behind the practice. Afterward, enjoy expertly crafted matcha and traditional sweet treats.

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.

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.

If you want to party like they do in Osaka, this bar-hopping tour is perfect for you. Your local guide takes you to traditional Izakaya bars that only locals know. If you don’t speak Japanese, don’t let language barriers get in your way. Your guide helps to explain the menus, and order unique, local dishes and drinks for you. Enjoy enough drinks and food to make up a full meal; vegetarians and vegans can also be accommodated.

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.

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.

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.

Make the most of your time in Kyoto by combining two classic experiences: wearing a kimono and taking part in an authentic tea ceremony. Led by a professional tea master, learn about the tools and traditions behind preparing Japanese green tea. To enhance the experience, kimono rental is included, offering an atmospheric way to appreciate this centuries-old tradition.

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.

A tea ceremony is an essential Kyoto cultural experience, and this small-group session lets you take part in one in an intimate setting. Watch an expert prepare matcha using traditional rituals, utensils, and techniques that incorporate mindfulness. Along the way, learn practical skills you can recreate at home, and enjoy the opportunity to prepare a cup of tea yourself too.

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.

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.

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.

Rather than choosing one type of cuisine, this comprehensive cooking class is ideal for travelers who love diverse Japanese dishes, as you can make ramen, gyoza, and onigiri (rice balls) in the same session. Learn special techniques that you wouldn’t find in a cookery book, and then best of all—taste all your delicious creations at the end.

Skip the usual food and restaurant scenes for this small-group cooking class in a local hostel. Learn everything needed to prepare miso soup and *okonomiyaki*, savory pancake dishes also known as Osaka’s “comfort food.” Meet in the hostel near Nagahoribashi subway station and cook with your group and city locals invited by your host.

Discover the culture behind *izakaya*, the Japanese equivalent to tapas, during a half-day cooking class with dinner in Kyoto. Rather than just dining on popular home dishes, learn tips and tricks for getting the food right at home during a session with a master chef before preparing and eating your own izakaya-style creations. It’s the perfect chance to explore the country’s cuisine beyond the typical sushi and teriyaki offerings.

Don't just eat sushi, learn how to make it at home in this centrally-located cooking class in Osaka. Practice the techniques to make perfect sushi and learn about the many different styles, from nigiri to gunkan. Get personalized tips from your guides so you can sharpen your Japanese cooking skills.

Learn to cook Osaka street food during this small-group cooking class. Make the famous Osaka-style tempura, hand-made udon noodles, pickled cucumber, and a delicious sweet mochi dessert. Use professional tools with guidance to help you prepare these dishes. After you’ve finished cooking, sit down and enjoy your creations with beer, sake, or green tea.

Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s rich traditions with a visit to Miyagawa Tokusaburo shoten, a 100-year-old house near Katsura Imperial Villa. Learn the traditional etiquette and history of the tea ceremony in a calm, quiet setting, and wear a rare, antique kimono that’s over 80 years old before discovering the art of matcha tea.

You can experience a tea ceremony in the authentic tea room of a 130-year-old Kyoto townhouse! The art of tea ceremony is a wonderful way to experience traditional Japanese culture. Combining zen and Japanese tea, attending a tea ceremony is a must when visiting Japan, especially in Kyoto! -Enjoy beautiful Japanese sweets like cookie or candy from historic shop in Kyoto -Delicious matcha green tea from historic shop in Kyoto -Learn how to make tea -Learn tips to enjoy tea without tea utensils at home