Top Kyoto Cooking Classes

Kyoto Ethical Cat Sanctuary and Tea Ceremony Small Group

1 hour 10 minutesFree Cancellation

US$65US$61

You can learn how to make tempura—a popular dish in Japan—from a professional chef. The highlight of this experience is that it takes place in an actual restaurant, where each participant has their own dedicated stove and deep fryer, allowing them to make tempura at their own pace without worrying about others around them. With eight types of ingredients, primarily sourced from Kyoto, and the portions are generous enough to leave you feeling satisfied.

[Kyoto, Gion] Tempura Experience Imafuku

[Kyoto, Gion] Tempura Experience Imafuku

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

US$57US$54

Step into a world where tradition and elegance intertwine in the heart of Kyoto. This curated experience invites you to engage in an authentic Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy workshop, while adorned in a hand-selected Vintage Haori, showcasing the beauty of Japanese fashion. With full English support, international guests can fully immerse themselves in the tranquil essence of Japanese culture. Capture these unforgettable moments with our smartphone photography service, ensuring that the memories of your Kyoto journey are preserved beautifully. Embrace the Spirit of Zen and discover the artistry of tradition and style from February 2026.

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Kyoto Haori ZEN~禅~

US$60US$57

It's almost 2 hours cooking class at Japanese local house near Shimogamo shrine. At the first 20min, we will explain the background of KINUGASA DON and all other dishes, and how to cook those. After cooking, let's enjoy eating and chatting together with the local We are very happy to share our real local culture with you. Vegetarian and Vegan options are available, so please let us know when you make the reservation.

Kyoto Local Rice Bowl Cooking Class with Vegan/Vegetarian Option

Kyoto Local Rice Bowl Cooking Class with Vegan/Vegetarian Option

US$91US$86

Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Historic Machiya Fan Shop Tour

US$56US$53

Immerse yourself in Japanese food culture and learn popular Japanese dishes in the style of izakaya restaurants in this afternoon cooking class. A type of informal Japanese pub, izakaya restaurants are comparable to Irish pubs or tapas bars. During the class, learn about dashi broth and seasonings like soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso, and prepare authentic dishes such as lotus root salad with miso and sesame sauce, gyoza, braised beef and potato, a dashi-based soup with mushroom and egg, and more.

Experience 'IZAKAYA' food cooking class in Kyoto

Experience 'IZAKAYA' food cooking class in Kyoto

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Musoshin Ramen Dojo Authentic ramen-making taught by ramen masters Enjoy an authentic ramen-making experience in Gion, Kyoto, created by Musoshin, a popular ramen brand with six locations in Kyoto and Toronto. Musoshin’s Toronto locations have been recognized by Michelin for four consecutive years. This special experience includes hands-on ramen making and tasting, carefully guided by professional ramen chefs, along with a personalized chopstick engraving experience. An optional plate-painting experience is also available, making this a complete and memorable plan.

Ramen Broth Class by Michelin Guide Shop and Custom Chopsticks

Ramen Broth Class by Michelin Guide Shop and Custom Chopsticks

US$71US$68

Temari Sushi Experience Kyoto

US$78US$74

This class goes beyond the usual cooking lesson —you’ll learn the secret plant based ingredient that gives our gyoza its meaty texture, and discover an easy trick for making ramen noodles from scratch, no special equipment needed. The broth itself is rich and creamy, built on the deep umami of traditional dashi. It’s a hands on experience loved by vegans and meat-eaters alike. Led by a former food writer with deep knowledge of Kyoto’s food scene, Yukari can also recommend the best restaurants around the city based on your taste.

Plant Based Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto

Plant Based Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto

US$71US$68

A superb experience with a 4.98 rating. Experience the "heart of a craftsman" in Kyoto. 540 rave reviews prove this is more than just a cooking class—it's an unforgettable experience. A craftsman will logically teach you the secret "airiness of sushi rice," allowing even beginners to recreate professional-level flavors. In a sophisticated Kyoto setting, you'll transform carefully selected ingredients into the finest masterpiece. Wouldn't you like to experience the shock of realizing that "sushi tastes best when you make it yourself"? Want to check the current availability for this class?

4 Styles Kyoto Sushi Masterclass near Nishiki Market

4 Styles Kyoto Sushi Masterclass near Nishiki Market

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

US$91US$86

Join hands-on Udon making experience from scratch at a cozy Kyoto home! The noodles are crafted with care using 100% domestic Japanese flour to ensure an authentic taste and texture. You will also get to taste flavorful Japanese Dashi stock and cook a delicious sweet and savory beef topping to complete your bowl. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that feels just like visiting a local friend—perfect for families and travelers looking for a warm, authentic cultural connection.

Authentic Udon Making Class in a Cozy Kyoto Home

Authentic Udon Making Class in a Cozy Kyoto Home

US$78US$74

*Discover the essence of TOFU, a staple in Japanese cuisine and a rich plant-based protein source. *Attend this class and you will learn how to make Fresh Tofu from scratch! Would you like to experience it for yourself? *Tofu is handmade from raw soybeans.Start by tasting it in its pure form, then savor it with three unique flavors. *Fun for any one person,for friends, couples, and families with children.

Fresh Tofu made from Soybeans in Kyoto

US$57US$54

Enjoy hospitality in a townhouse that feels like home, and have a special experience that is different from your usual trip.Spend an elegant time and experience a once-in-a-lifetime local exchange. Enjoy the four seasons of Japan in the heart of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Realize the ultimate “value” to the fullest. Sushi is one of the most famous foods in Japan, and decorative sushi is also an ancient culture. You can even make characters that are very popular in Japan. This sushi produces the same pattern whether it is cut or not.This is a valuable experience that you can only have at our restaurant. Feel the excitement of cutting the sushi after completion. After the meal, please enjoy the matcha (powdered green tea) experience. You will be served matcha tea one by one in the tatami room. We will carefully explain the utensils and how to brew the tea. Please enjoy the view of the garden and Kyoto's fresh sweets with a sense of Kyoto. Please enjoy the hospitality of the proprietress.

Decorated Sushi Making Experience in Kyoto

Decorated Sushi Making Experience in Kyoto

US$104US$98

Kyoto’s Only Night-Exclusive Cultural Experience Enjoy authentic Japanese culture at night, away from daytime crowds. Experience Japan in a calm, intimate setting with a small group. Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience Use real glutinous rice with an authentic mortar and pestle to make mochi the traditional way. Hands-On Tea Ceremony Experience Learn by using real tea utensils such as the chasen, chashaku, natsume, and kensui while preparing matcha. Enjoy Freshly Made Mochi Taste the warm mochi you made yourself, served immediately. Cultural & Historical Storytelling Learn the history and cultural background of mochi, tea ceremony, swords, and archery in a clear and engaging way. Commemorative Group Photo Finish with a memorable group photo around the mortar to capture your Kyoto experience.

Kyoto : Mochi Pounding Experience & Tea Ceremony

Kyoto : Mochi Pounding Experience & Tea Ceremony

Nighttime Temple Experience Zen Meditation and Drone Buddha

US$97US$92

This private experience takes place in an authentic Kyoto townhouse, offering a rare chance to step inside a real Japanese home. Guests can learn sushi making (nigiri and rolls) and enjoy seasonal home-style dishes that reflect everyday Japanese life. The experience also includes a simple tea ceremony where guests can whisk their own matcha. Located just 5 minutes from Kinkaku-ji, this home-visit program combines authentic culture, warm hospitality, and the intimate atmosphere of a private session with a local host.

Private Kyoto Townhouse Hom Visit Sushi Cooking and Tea Ceremony

Private Kyoto Townhouse Hom Visit Sushi Cooking and Tea Ceremony

US$117US$111

Exclusively reserved for you and your group, this is Kyoto’s premier private sushi-making experience—held in a beautifully restored traditional townhouse just moments from Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the historic Gion district. Adorned with commissioned artwork and designed to reflect both Japanese tradition and refined aesthetics, the space provides an elegant setting for a hands-on cultural immersion. With step-by-step instruction in English, you’ll learn to prepare elegant homestyle sushi in a relaxed, personalized environment that goes far beyond the typical group class. Perfect for couples, families, or close friends looking to share something truly personal, this exclusive experience offers a meaningful way to connect and celebrate. Whether you're marking a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, engagement, or a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Japan, it’s an unforgettable way to create lasting memories—together, in a setting as special as the occasion itself.

Private Sushi Class in Central Kyoto

A 60-minute Chanoyu (tea ceremony) experience led by an instructor associated with the Urasenke school of tea. The experience begins by putting on a Haori jacket and feeling the atmosphere of the tea ceremony through explanations of the tea garden and tea room. Once inside the 4.5-tatami mat tea room, you will observe the instructor's tea-making ceremony (Otemae) while enjoying traditional sweets. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to whisk and enjoy your own Matcha. The tea room features authentic utensils used in formal tea ceremonies, and the instructor will explain the deep meaning behind each one.

[Uzumasa] Tea Ceremony Experience and Soba Making Experience

US$128US$122

Experience making 100% buckwheat (Ju-wari) Soba noodles using only buckwheat flour and water—a truly rare and authentic culinary experience. You will also get to taste your noodles with our signature tsuyu (dipping sauce), made fresh daily using rich, handcrafted dashi that forms the very foundation of traditional Japanese cuisine. For an extra layer of fun, try comparing your freshly made Soba with one crafted by a true Soba Master!

Kyoto Soba DOJO in the Museum

US$129US$123

Sample Menu ◇ Shojin Cuisine (Japanese Buddhist Vegetarian Dishes) ・Sesame Tofu (Goma Dofu) ・Spinach with Sesame Sauce (Spinach Goma-ae) ・Simmered Daikon Radish with Seasonal Vegetables ・Kinpira Vegetables (Sweet Soy–Glazed Vegetables) ・Tofu Shiratama Dumplings – Japanese Dessert ◇ Temari Sushi ・Colorful bite-sized sushi balls Menu items may change depending on seasonal ingredients.

Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Shojin Ryori and Sushi Cooking

Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Shojin Ryori and Sushi Cooking

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

US$129US$123

Private Session: Sushi Art (making) & Maki Sushi Class

US$139US$132

This special tea ceremony takes place in the most traditional tea room at Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, a nationally designated cultural asset with a history spanning more than 140 years. Within this historic machiya lies a small, authentic tea room known as Rakuju. Its construction was supervised by the 12th-generation tea master of the Musha Koji Senke school, one of the principal schools of Japanese tea ceremony. Enjoy Uji matcha and traditional Japanese sweets as you immerse yourself in the quiet history and serenity of an authentic tea ceremony, while observing a seasoned tea master perform the ritual. Following the tea ceremony, we will guide you through Tondaya itself—a 140-year-old machiya designated as a culturally significant landmark by the Kyoto City Government. A treasure trove of historically valuable artifacts and stories, Tondaya offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s living heritage, shared by passionate staff. We at Tonadya look forward to your visit!

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea Room

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea Room

US$136US$129

Step inside a working Zen temple in Kyoto for a private cultural experience rarely available to ordinary visitors. Meet your English-speaking guide and join the resident priest for an authentic zazen meditation session inside a traditional Zen hall. Learn proper posture, breathing, and meditation practice in a quiet setting designed for reflection and mindfulness. After meditation, move to a tatami room overlooking a centuries-old karesansui Zen garden. Enjoy freshly whisked matcha tea and a seasonal Japanese sweet while the priest explains Zen philosophy, temple culture, and the meaning behind the garden’s stone arrangements and rake patterns. Your guide translates throughout the experience, helping you connect naturally with the priest and better understand the traditions of Zen Buddhism. This intimate experience offers a peaceful side of Kyoto that most travelers never see.

Kyoto Private Zen Meditation with Matcha & Garden (English)

Kyoto Private Zen Meditation with Matcha & Garden (English)

US$130US$124

Unlike a standard tea ceremony, this experience is inspired by the traditional Yobanashi Chaji, an intimate evening tea gathering that combines a meal, cultural conversation, and matcha tea in a historic Kyoto machiya. Guests enjoy a beautifully presented Shokado Bento dinner while learning about Japanese hospitality, seasonal traditions, and tea culture. The experience continues with traditional sweets, a live matcha tea preparation, and guidance on tea ceremony etiquette. Through food, tea, and storytelling, participants gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy of Ichigo Ichie and the spirit of Japanese hospitality in an authentic setting rarely experienced by visitors.

Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Kaiseki Dinner Experience

Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Kaiseki Dinner Experience

Traditional Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto

US$142US$135

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Must-Dos in Kyoto

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What are people saying about Kyoto

Lyciana_L, Oct 2026

A lovely memory of our time in Kyoto!,

A beautiful tea ceremony experience in Kyoto We booked this tea ceremony through Viator, and it was a wonderful experience. We chose a ceremony with chairs rather than sitting on the floor, which made it very comfortable. The person preparing the tea made the experience especially memorable, sharing fascinating details and sparking our curiosity about the tradition. It was a beautiful opportunity to slow down and appreciate the care behind the ceremony. A lovely memory of our time in Kyoto!

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, Karasuma Shijo

Susan_S, Sept 2026

Wonderful experience!

Loved, loved, loved this! There is something quite special about having your hair done and getting dressed in the most beautiful kimono by experts. I wish I could experience that every day! The tea ceremony was also great, being walked through each step. Would highly recommend this experience if you are in Kyoto.

Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Oritzuruya, Nishiki

Zoe_F, Sept 2026

Must-do in Kyoto! Beautiful immersive traditional experience.

Beautiful glimpse into traditional arts of tea ceremony and calligraphy. We witnessed the purification of the tea, ate wagashi (Japanese sweet) and whisked our own matcha. I enjoyed learning about calligraphy. It requires much more grace than I possess but I was allowed to practice a character until I felt confident and made a final one on nice paper to take home as a souvenir. Being invited to wear a kimono made this experience even more special, and afterwards the they allowed us to wander around Kyoto in our kimonos for the day. It was overall a truly lovely experience! Staff was very friendly and informative. I highly recommend!

Kyoto Kiyomizu Tea Ceremony with Scenic Garden Views

Rebecca_S, Sept 2026

Incredible experience

This was an awesome experience. The tea house is truly stunning. The woman who lead the experience was kind, open, and very giving. The tea master had 15 years of experience and she was wonderful. It was fun to meet the other travelers that did the tasting with us. We had two other couples at the same time we were there. You get to make your own matcha although you also get the opportunity to have a matcha prepared by the experts. The staff will take a few pictures for you. You can use your camera throughout, just remember to be respectful.

Kyoto Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs

Leslie_W, Aug 2026

Highly Recommend for beginner and experienced chefs!

This experience was a highlight of our 12-night Celebrity cruise to Japan. Our group looks for ways to learn about the culture of the places we visit while also learning how to make some of the food we love back home. The English speaking tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. She acted as the interpreter for the chef we worked with, which I was concerned about at first, but was not an issue at all. We learned how to make ramen (we each had a chance to choose our own broth), gyoza and fried rice, then enjoy our creations as a hearty lunch. The restaurant/location of the experience was down an alley that we would not have been able to discover on our own, which made the entire excursion feel that much more exclusive. Don’t be scared of the “local feel” of the location - it’s not a professional, sterile kitchen, but one that is a local favorite of the people who know how ramen should taste! If you are someone who likes to recreate dishes when you return home, this is a must-do for you! Ramen, gyoza and fried rice are all relatively easy to make upon your return home and using the skills learned in class can be applied in your own kitchen with little need for additional equipment (although if you want to make the ramen noodles from scratch, you might have to invest in a noodle press). This is a 5-star experience that I would recommend to new and experienced chefs.

Elegant Tea Ceremony While Wearing Kimono Experience in Kyoto

Adam_R, Aug 2026

A Peaceful and Unforgettable Experience

We had a wonderful experience at the tea ceremony in Kyoto. Everyone was so lovely, kind and welcoming, and the experience felt very inclusive and relaxed. The ceremony itself was incredibly peaceful and calm, and the beautiful traditional building made it even more special. We also got the opportunity to hold a samurai sword, which was a really memorable bonus! A fantastic experience and definitely one we’d recommend.

Kyoto Samurai Experience

Sandra_G, Jul 2026

What an amazing...

What an amazing experience! The staff was very friendly and polite, you get a history lesson, a zen lesson, you get to hold a 650 year old sword and you get to meet a modern time samurai! He had an incredible presence and really encourages everyone to do a good job during the actual cutting. We loved every second of this tour. I would love to do it again.

Authentic Kyoto Tea Ceremony: Camellia Flower Teahouse

Anne_L, Jun 2026

Must try tea experience

My mom & I had a wonderful tea experience! We learned how to prepare tea & tea etiquette. The aroma & flavor were both amazing. I truly enjoyed every moment. Everyone who worked there was incredibly kind and welcoming. they were so friendly & nice. They made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience

Rebecca_T, May 2026

Best matcha tea making experience in Kyoto

We have been to Kyoto 5 times, family from the United States and by far this was the best learning experience for tea making and learning the tea culture. It was a beautiful ceremony and our children, ages 6 and 8, loved it and got to participate. Perfect right amount of time associated for kids this age and adults. We highly recommend this tea experience.

Kyoto 1-Hour Ninja Training Experience with a Japanese Master

Yannick_V, Apr 2026

Amazing ninja experience

What an amazing place! Definitely a highlight of my trip to Japan. I cannot recommend this place enough. I had a one hour ninja experience. You get to dress up as a ninja, learn about the history and various tools/weapons ninja used. I then had had a go at ninja stealth walking, shurikens, blowing darts, katana and ninja sword. They take photos (free of charge) during the class. My Sensei was extremely knowledgeable about ninja history and culture and she took the time to explain everything. Her English was really good. The experience didn't feel rushed at all (unlike some other places I had read reviews about), and they limit the classes to a low number of people. This is a real dojo where they also do ninjustu training. They have a shop with some artefacts that you can buy, and some old authentic artefacts. It felt really immersive and authentic. I cannot recommend this place enough, I wish I had known about the two hour class! Thank you so much to the whole team for making this experience so memorable!