Top Kyoto Cooking Classes

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

100% private Entire Machiya Reserved for You. Duration: 90 minutes Located in a 125-year-old traditional Japanese house, just a 9-minute walk from Kyoto Station. ✨ ｜Tea Ceremony Learn the spirit of Japanese tea culture while making and enjoying authentic matcha in a peaceful traditional setting. You can also choose your favorite tea bowl for the experience. ｜Japanese Calligraphy Experience the beauty of Japanese writing by using traditional brushes and ink to create your own art. You can write your own name in Japanese calligraphy. ｜Kimono Experience Wear a traditional kimono and enjoy the atmosphere of old Kyoto like a local. You can choose your favorite kimono style. ｜Reservation Support We can help you book restaurants, local experiences, and hidden spots during your stay.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like sitting down for a meal with a local. Emika opens her Kyoto home to visitors to share a private meal and conversation. Enjoy an authentic Japanese meal of sushi, miso soup, matcha green tea, and sweets with your Kyoto native host.

Learn how to make sushi from real sushi chefs during a small-group class in Kyoto. Get personalized attention from your instructor and feedback on how to improve your techniques. Go at your own pace and ask questions about each step. Get tips for plating your finished sushi in a beautiful way. Private and vegan sushi classes are also available.

Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s rich traditions with a visit to Miyagawa Tokusaburo shoten, a 100-year-old house near Katsura Imperial Villa. Go beyond the typical tourist experience and 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.

Immerse yourself in Kyoto's authentic culinary nightlife through a warm, social dining experience! Explore Pontocho and Gion without feeling like an outsider, sharing iconic dishes and memorable moments. 1. A Social Evening Across 3 Venues • Stop 1: Savor traditional Obanzai dishes and local sake around a welcoming table in Pontocho • Stop 2: Feel the local pulse at an authentic standing bar (Tachinomi), clinking glasses with friendly local guide • Stop 3: Top off the night at a cozy Gion Karaoke Snack bar, enjoying retro Japanese hospitality, music, and laughter. 2. Enriching Local Insights: Uncover why Kyoto foods are so unique, how Gion's Maiko culture was born, and where locals truly spend their evenings. 3. Welcoming & Inclusive: Exclusively for ages 20+. Non-drinkers and vegans are warmly accommodated with food options. A safe, vibrant night out for all!

Our tea ceremony session is held in an authentic Japanese style room at a local house. Tea ceremony is formal, but you will also experience the feeling of being invited over for a cup of tea by a friend in Japan. This is a great opportunity for all tourists coming to Kyoto. Our group lessons have a maximum of 8 people. Our hosts and English-speaking instructors are all very friendly and want you to have a memorable time with us. We'll introduce you some history of tea and tea ceremony. You will have a chance to make a bowl of Match by yourself so you will be able to make it for your friends when you go back home. We guarantee they will be surprised and that would be one of the best souvenirs for them!! * It is also possible to prepare a chair instead of sitting on the Tatami floor if you prefer. Please let us know how many chairs you want us to prepare when you make a reservation. *Our reservation is from 2, but if you are solo, please contact us, we may arrange for you.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

1. Authentic Experience Unlike standard sushi classes, this experience covers every step, from preparing rice to crafting perfect nigiri. You’ll use authentic tools and techniques under the guidance of skilled instructors. 2. Cultural Insight Learn not only how to make sushi but also its cultural significance in Japan. It’s more than a cooking class—it’s an exploration of tradition. 3. Personalized Instruction With small group sizes, you’ll receive guidance tailored to your skill level, whether you’re a beginner or experienced. 4. Hands-On Fun Grate fresh wasabi, slice sushi-grade fish, and assemble sushi in an engaging, interactive environment. 5. Graduation Ceremony Celebrate your achievements with a fun graduation ceremony and a certificate of completion. 6. Take-Home Skills Learn techniques and recipes to make sushi at home, impressing friends and family. 7. Unique Setting Held in the heart of Japan, this class offers an unforgettable cultural experience.

Step away from the bustle of Kyoto and enjoy a quiet moment to simply be present. Inside a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse, experience an authentic yet welcoming tea ceremony that invites you to slow down and connect with Japanese culture through curiosity and conversation. Behind this experience is aeru, a Japanese cultural company founded 15 years ago, beginning with traditional crafts designed for children. Our mission is “Passing on Japan’s Spiritual Heritage to Future Generations.” We believe that both objects created by skilled artisans and moments shaped through tea ceremony can bring mindfulness and kindness into everyday life. It is our pleasure to share the spirit and culture behind them with guests from around the world.

お寿司を作ります 手を洗います •握り寿司のシャリを作ってみましょう •ネタをのせます •お好みでわさびをつけます •シャリにネタを乗せて、一つ完成です •次は巻き寿司です •巻いたお寿司は大将が切ってくれます •軍艦巻きも作りましょう •それぞれに海苔の大きさが違います •卵やエビのアレルギーがある方は事前にお知らせください。 •作ったお寿司を並べたら、【いただきます】をしましょう ランチタイム •お寿司、天ぷら、赤だし、お漬物、ソフトドリンクでランチタイムです

Step into a quiet evening in Kyoto. While many famous sightseeing spots close at night, this experience offers a rare opportunity to enjoy Japanese culture in a private setting. Inside a historic ryokan, a special tea setting is carefully arranged in a spacious 20-tatami room, illuminated by traditional Japanese candles. In this unique space, you will experience authentic kimono, tea ceremony, Zen meditation, and traditional Japanese culture — all in one evening. This experience takes place in a room that is usually not open to the public. This is a fully private experience, prepared exclusively for you. We use a translation device to communicate in your preferred language, allowing smooth and comfortable interaction. This is not a group activity, but a carefully prepared private cultural experience.

This workshop includes not just how to make Kyoto style sushi but the history and cultural background of sushi. You can also taste different types of vinegar and sushi rice and learn how to grate fresh wasabi, which will be unique and deepen your knowledge related to sushi. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of Japanese cuisine. *Preschooler (under 7 years old) is free and can join with a parent. If you would like us to prepare ingredients for them, please include them in the number of participants.

• Paint a unique ramen bowl / spoon with your own design or Japanese motifs • Master the traditional yugiri technique for draining ramen noodles • Enjoy personalized ramen, then return the next day to collect your bowl

【A Hundred-Year Villa and Elegant Garden】 Located near the “Sakurabashi” bridge on the Philosopher’s Path, Kiriyama Kaikan is a historical villa with over a hundred years of heritage and a serene Japanese garden. Here, you can experience the true essence of the tea aesthetics once cherished by nobles and Zen monks. 【Matcha vs Sencha Experience】 ▸ Matcha (Powdered Green Tea Ceremony) Experience the Zen spirit of wabi-sabi through the refined and formal “Senke” style of tea ceremony.

One of the highlights of our tea ceremony is the opportunity for you to make your own tea if you wish. Under the expert guidance of our seasoned teacher, you’ll learn the intricate steps involved in preparing matcha, from whisking the powdered tea to the precise movements that reflect the harmony and mindfulness at the heart of the tea ceremony. Our aim is to lower the barriers that often surround traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and at ease. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some familiarity with tea ceremonies, our session is designed to be both informative and enjoyable. Join us for this unique and authentic Kyoto experience, where tradition meets tranquility. Book your session today and create a memorable highlight of your visit to Kyoto.

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 is not a typical sake tasting. The Advanced Kyoto Insider Sake Experience explores sake that challenges conventional ideas of how sake is made. You will taste rare and exceptional sakes brewed using ancient methods, innovative fermentation techniques that highlight the power of microorganisms, and sake made with local wood that gives each brew a distinct regional character. Through these tastings, you will discover how dramatically flavor can change depending on philosophy, materials, and brewing choices — revealing the true depth and creative potential of sake. While this experience also covers the fundamentals of sake production and categories, it is designed for those who want to go beyond the basics and explore a deeper, more creative side of sake.

You can experience truly authentic Japanese green tea “SENCHA” and “GYOKURO” following the Sencha tea ceremony style “Sencha-do”. You can dive to deep japanese traditional culture, Sencha-do is loved from court noble, literati, artists and creator. Sencha-do is so beautiful and elegant taste. Sencha-do suits to those who love Japanese culture, Japanese tea, and tea culture.

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.

This Zen workshop offers a truly unique opportunity to experience mindfulness in a calm, natural setting, not inside a temple, but by the riverside, surrounded by trees and fresh air. It’s designed not just as a tourist activity, but as a genuine introduction to Zen practice. Participants are guided step by step through the basics of zazen (seated meditation) in a way that is easy to understand and approachable, even for beginners. Rather than focusing on strict formality or religious rituals, the workshop emphasizes how Zen can be part of everyday life. You’ll learn how to carry the mindset of calm and awareness with you. Not just during your trip, but back home as well. The experience concludes with a peaceful tea time, where you’ll enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets and freshly whisked matcha, allowing your mind and body to gently return to the flow of daily life.

・Located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, the popular tourist spots are within walking distance. ・We recommend having lunch with soba noodles that you made yourself while sightseeing. ・You can make and eat the traditional Japanese dish "hand-made soba noodles". ・Making soba noodles requires deep and sophisticated techniques. ・We have prepared a program that allows you to easily enjoy the technique. ・The soba noodles are made from 80% buckwheat flour and 20% wheat flour produced in Nagano Prefecture. ・A popular instructor with over 20 years of experience will be in charge. He is very enthusiastic, but will not help you unnecessarily during the experience. He will only give you advice when necessary, so you can make soba noodles at your own pace. ・This is a private lesson. There will be no other customers than you. You can relax and enjoy yourself. The soba noodles you make yourself have a special taste. There is nothing to bring or prepare. Now! Let's make delicious and fun soba noodles

It isn’t hard to find delicious sushi to feast on when traveling through Japan—but far less easy is mastering the art of preparing sushi on your own. During this small-group workshop in Kyoto, learn time-tested secrets from a professional sushi chef as you craft handmade nigiri. After the workshop, sit down to enjoy a freshly prepared lunch paired with red miso soup and green tea,

A Special Experience of Traditional Japanese Soba Making Soba has been enjoyed in Japan since the Jomon period. In this hands-on experience, you will make, cut, and cook soba noodles yourself. Exploring the different ways to enjoy soba is part of the fun. You can savor it cold and refreshing, warm and comforting, pair it with various condiments, or change up the dipping sauce—the possibilities are endless. This is a rare opportunity to deeply connect with traditional Japanese cuisine—especially the unique flavor of dashi and soba.