Top Kyoto Food & Drink Classes

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.

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.

Experience the art of the samurai during a *kembu* show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with a samurai sword and the performers post-show.

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.

As Kyoto’s original small-group sushi-making experience, this workshop emphasizes depth, personal guidance, and authentic technique. Limited to just 8 guests, the class offers a relaxed, interactive pace with ample time for questions, hands-on practice, and individual feedback from a Japanese instructor. Guests build a strong foundation in sushi-making — from properly seasoning rice to shaping nigiri and rolling maki — using premium fresh fish and carefully selected local ingredients. The experience takes place in a beautifully restored historic townhouse near Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, providing a calm, refined setting in which to fully engage with the craft and enjoy the sushi you create.

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.

This is an activity where even beginners can easily make nigiri sushi. You will be able to experience making sushi using popular sushi ingredients such as tuna and salmon. It will be a once in a lifetime unique experience where you can learn about Japanese culture through traditional Japanese cuisine. A sushi chef will carefully teach you how to make sushi. Once you know how to make it, try making nigiri sushi yourself. It's a very fun and meaningful experience where you can both experience making sushi and eating delicious sushi. Please come and experience Japanese culture with us! Children 3 years old and under are welcome to join for free by sharing a dish with an adult. As we need to prepare a seat in advance, please contact us before your visit if you are bringing a child who is 3 years old and under.

Swap crowded group experiences for this intimate alternative of a private tea ceremony just for your personal group. Held in a hidden townhouse, the experience includes a short film about matcha, followed by a step-by-step tea ceremony and the chance to make your own cup. As a private experience, it’s family-friendly, and children are welcome.

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.

Enjoy a world of quiet elegance at Nishiki Orizuruya. All plans include kimono rental (with free hair styling for women) and are guided in English. 1. Authentic Tea Ceremony: After a captivating demonstration, learn to whisk your own matcha using a traditional bamboo whisk. Your prepared tea is paired with exquisite, seasonal Wagashi (traditional sweets) sourced from a celebrated 100-year-old Kyoto confectionery shop. 2. Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy: Combine the meditative art of tea with the flow of brush and ink. After savoring your matcha and sweets, learn to write your favorite kanji using a brush and ink. A great chance to create a personal keepsake. 3. Tea Ceremony & Guided Nishiki Market Tour: Enjoy the complete tea ceremony experience, then set out on a culinary adventure. Explore the bustling stalls of "Kyoto’s Kitchen" (Nishiki Market), hidden local shrines, and ancient specialty shops to discover the deep roots of Kyoto's food culture.

Deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and traditions at this matcha tea ceremony held in a traditional townhouse. To help you get the most out of your experience, the tea master explains everything you need to know—including tea etiquette, utensils, and rituals. You can also learn how to prepare your own cup of matcha. The session ends with a question-and-answer segment and the chance to enjoy traditional Japanese sweets.

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.

Supercharge your souvenirs during an *umeshu* and syrup-making workshop that helps you create your own bottle of stone fruit wine or syrup to take home. A small group promises personalized attention from your instructor as you learn about the heritage of the drink, which dates back a thousand years, and taste different types of umeshu to see which one you like best.

A tea ceremony is a key part of Japanese culture, and Kyoto—long regarded as the country’s cultural capital—is one of the best places to experience it. During the ceremony, a tea master demonstrates the precise steps involved in preparing premium matcha, offering invaluable insights that you’d miss if drinking tea in a restaurant. You can then enjoy traditional Japanese sweets to accompany your tea.

・Savor the aroma of freshly ground matcha as you grind tea leaves ・Enjoy a unique matcha experience on a sky terrace in Arashiyama ・Learn the art of whisking matcha with a bamboo whisk from a guide ・Take in the views from the terrace and recharge for your next adventure ・Enjoy a family-friendly activity with no strict rules or prior experience

Enjoy an immersive culinary experience, and learn how to cook a traditional Japanese meal with a private cooking class in Kyoto. Instead of being in a crowded kitchen, this is a private lesson just for you, which means you can enjoy one-on-one guidance. There are several set menus to choose from: teriyaki chicken, sushi, tonkatsu or Kansai street snacks such as gyoza (dumplings), takoyaki (octopus balls) or okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).

Embark on a culinary adventure in Kyoto's historic Gion district by visiting a charming specialty restaurant where the art of ramen takes center stage. Step into the kitchen and immerse yourself in the ancient tradition of noodle-making, using a unique ramen machine to craft noodles from scratch. As the fragrant broth simmers, anticipation builds for the ultimate reward: savoring a steaming bowl of ramen meticulously prepared by the skilled hands of the restaurant’s chef. Indulge in this delicious masterpiece, a testament to both craftsmanship and the rich culinary heritage of Japan.

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.

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto."

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.

The tea ceremony goes in a small group. The maximum number of people are 6 for each session.But during peak seasons, it will increase to a maximum of 8 people. Experience an authentic tea ceremony, which is near the Zen buddhist monastery Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto. Daitoku-ji had many famous priest graduates in the history and has a close relationship with tea ceremony culture which has given a major influence to Japanese culture. We are also not far from the World Cultural Heritage site, the Golden Pavilion Temple. (Kinkaku-ji)It's only four stops away by bus. You’ll be provided with a tea container, tea bowl, tea scoops and whisks, and instruction on how to make matcha. You’ll also enjoy two bowls of matcha and two kinds of Japanese sweets. Tea ceremony is a learned experience, and it leads to enlightenment, similar to Zen’s understanding of realizing the truth through self-discovery.

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.

This two-in-one experience combines a hands-on cooking class with a traditional craft, both centered around ramen. Set inside an atmospheric ramen restaurant, begin by painting your own ramen spoon, which is then baked in a kiln overnight. Afterwards, take part in a practical class to learn the secrets behind making Michelin-nominated ramen using the included Musoshin recipe. Then at the end—you can sample your tasty creations.