Izakaya Style Cooking Class
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kyoto, Japan
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Learn Japanese seasoning techniques as well as how to prepare dashi, Japanese soup stock
- Ask your guide for tips and recommendations for after the tour ends
- Personal attention: Get hands-on guidance from your class leader
- Take the recipes home and cook these dishes for friends and family
Sample Menu
Main
Grilled chicken and burdock meatball
Main
Deep-fried chicken fillet with salted plum and shiso leaf
What's Included
- Dinner
- All ingredients for cooking
- English-speaking cooking instructor
- Apron
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Cooking Sun679 Funayachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8466, Japan
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.2:00 pm
What To Expect
Take a deep dive into Japan’s culinary traditions as you learn to prepare home dishes which are not too familiar to you but are popular at home or casual restaurants in Japan. During your course, you’ll have the chance to learn preparations of typical izakaya favorites from a master chef before trying your hand at making (and eating) some of your own.
Start your izakaya cooking experience at 2pm at the designated cooking studio located in beautiful traditional wood house in Kyoto, the location of which will be provided at the time of booking. Begin your izakaya session with an introduction to the history and origins of this lesser-known Japanese culinary tradition.
Many historians believe the origin of izakaya dates back to 18th century when rice had been taxed to brew sake. The culture of izakaya evolved in Edo era when sake bottle shop started to serve dishes as well as sake to promote their sake. Now, izakaya is often used as a venue to have small parties at a reasonable budget throughout Japan from young adult to elderly.
Continue your cooking lesson with an introduction from your chef to the ingredients and techniques that define the izakaya tradition. After following along with the instructions and demo from your English-speaking chef, grab your knife as you try your hand at making some authentic Japanese home dishes of your own. Learn how to make dashi, the typical Japanese soup stock, before learning to prepare a variety of dishes. Some typical izakaya favorites include spinach with sesame sauce, teriyaki yellowtail, vegetable chowder, mushroom tempura and rice with vegetables. Please note that your class menu may vary from the above, as the dishes are adjusted based on the availability of seasonal ingredients.
Finish your izakaya cooking session by sitting down with the other participants to enjoy your dishes for dinner. Leave your session with the recipes so you can prepare them for friends and family in the future.
Click on View Additional Info for cooking studio location.
Start your izakaya cooking experience at 2pm at the designated cooking studio located in beautiful traditional wood house in Kyoto, the location of which will be provided at the time of booking. Begin your izakaya session with an introduction to the history and origins of this lesser-known Japanese culinary tradition.
Many historians believe the origin of izakaya dates back to 18th century when rice had been taxed to brew sake. The culture of izakaya evolved in Edo era when sake bottle shop started to serve dishes as well as sake to promote their sake. Now, izakaya is often used as a venue to have small parties at a reasonable budget throughout Japan from young adult to elderly.
Continue your cooking lesson with an introduction from your chef to the ingredients and techniques that define the izakaya tradition. After following along with the instructions and demo from your English-speaking chef, grab your knife as you try your hand at making some authentic Japanese home dishes of your own. Learn how to make dashi, the typical Japanese soup stock, before learning to prepare a variety of dishes. Some typical izakaya favorites include spinach with sesame sauce, teriyaki yellowtail, vegetable chowder, mushroom tempura and rice with vegetables. Please note that your class menu may vary from the above, as the dishes are adjusted based on the availability of seasonal ingredients.
Finish your izakaya cooking session by sitting down with the other participants to enjoy your dishes for dinner. Leave your session with the recipes so you can prepare them for friends and family in the future.
Click on View Additional Info for cooking studio location.
1
Cooking Sun Kyoto
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Dreamer12494035717
The class was fun. We learnt to cook 7 dishes which were delicious. The instructors were friendly and attentive, it got a little chotic at times which sort of added to the joyful nature. The food was simple but delicious and I feel confident that I could try making them at home myself.
Reviews
4.9
based on 225 reviews
PATRICK_V, Mar 2026
Enjoyed the 2 ladies as we cooked and learned about japenese preferred ingredients. Enjoyed eating as well!!
Terri_M, Mar 2026
Wide variety of tastes and great instructor. Very hands-on. Quaint location. Sake was offered for reasonable additional charge.
Nathan_D, Nov 2025
Great chefs teaching about great food! This experience was fun, informative, and delicious. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cooking experience in Kyoto.
Diane_O, Nov 2025
Such a fun afternoon! We made six dishes in total. The prep was easy and the food was delicious! Our structure spoke great English and were wonderful about explaining the differences between the various sauces and condiments. Highly recommended!
SarahJean_H, Oct 2025
I enjoyed the class. It was smooth and organized. It was a big class but they have a great teamwork. Explained everything and attentive to everyone. I learned something new. Delicious and healthy recipe. I can make it for sure at home and share it with family and friends.
Sharon_N, Mar 2025
A really enjoyable experience. The ladies are so well organised and prepared. We had minimal preparation of ingredients which allowed us to make more dishes and enjoy a variety of foods. I'd love to do more classes with them.
Thomas_M, Mar 2025
We had a great time and did was excellent! They did a nice job prepping ingredients and explaining what we cooked. Highly recommended
Dalia_M, Dec 2024
Amazing experience instructors were so nice fun helpful and the food menu was so interesting and tasty. Me and my kids loved it and would definitely recommend to friends
Jessica_B, Dec 2024
This Izakaya cooking class was one of our absolute favorite activities for our two week trip to Japan. The hosts were incredibly kind and fun to learn from. We got to learn a ton about the culture and food was cooking very easy to follow recipes that we will definitely be making at home! I would give them a 6th star if I could!
Daniela_T, Dec 2024
The two ladies running the session were so kind and structured. We got great insights on techniques in Japanese cooking. Overall we enjoyed the experience, and got lots of new knowledge to take home, though we would’ve rather have cooked a dish with Japanese noodles rather than a pasta dish.
cynthia_n, Nov 2024
My 3rd Cooking Sun class didn’t disappoint. The instructors are nice and very patient answering the classes questions. The cucumber salad is still one of my favorites it I think the Pumpkin soup is now my #1. The pasta was delicious and I loved the mochi dessert we made.
Rhonda_B, Oct 2024
This is a great introduction to Japanese cooking. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Our hosts were welcoming and took the time to answer our questions. Highly recommend.
Julia_T, Sep 2024
This was so fun. Our hosts were so kind and helped us make a delicious meal. One of the highlights of our trip.
Jude_M, Sep 2024
This was a wonderful immersion into Japanese Izakaya food. The presenters were friendly, knowledgeable and highly organised. It was a fun and easy way to meet travellers, expand my cooking skills and understand a little more about Japanese food. I enjoyed myself very much and would highly recommend it.
Tina_P, Sep 2024
I had a wonderful time learning how to cook various Japanese dishes. The food was delicious. The hosts were kind and delightful. However, they offered us a glass of sake with our meal and I assumed it was already included with what we paid for, but at the end she unexpectedly said we owed 600 yen per glass. I don’t mind paying for it but I feel like they should have said the cost when offering it.
Joanne_F, Aug 2024
Absolutely incredible! The chefs were knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly welcoming. There was a range of experience with cooking in the class and everyone was able to follow along and make some very tasty and visually appealing dishes. I'm a pretty avid cook and I'm really excited to experiment with the new flavour combinations (and utensils) I've learned from this class. This was my favourite activity in Kyoto!
Stacy_E, Jul 2024
We loved this cooking class! We were visiting our son who was going to the university and looking for something fun to do. It was such a great thing for us to do together! Instructors were very knowledgeable and fun! We learned a lot and ate very delicious food! Would definitely do this again!
Y_R, Jun 2024
This experience far exceeded our expectations! The food was delicious, and we were taught how to make 6 different and unique dishes. The staff was on point and would clean or deliver ingredients without us realizing it. We had a lot of fun! I would do another class next time I visit Japan.
Russell_T, Apr 2024
The set up was efficient and the explanations of ingredients was well done. Most importantly was how the 3 ladies worked together, giving help to anyone, cleaning the areas up quickly, so we could move onto ....one recipe to the next.
Enjoying the 1st courses and than onto the rest of the meal was timely.
We will look forward to preparing this meal for friends and family...Thanks Again!
Linda_G, Apr 2024
Lots of fun cooking many dishes. Well thought out with plenty of cooking assistance. I have allergies and they accommodated me perfectly.
Blake_H, Apr 2024
Honestly the highlight of my Kyoto stay! The guides were easy to communicate with and the whole experience was just perfect!! And to top it all off, the food we made was incredibly delicious and healthy!! They even catered to a couple of vegetarians in our group with no problem nor making it seem to be a big deal, as it wasn’t. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed cooking traditional Japanese foods and learned a lot :) thank you
June_L, Mar 2024
The whole experience was wonderful. My daughter enjoyed the recipes and the instructions. It was a great cooking class and we appreciated the knowledge given on Japanese ingredients and dishes.
David_S, Mar 2024
An amazing three hours of cooking, instruction and eating! Cooking Sun was an experience not to miss if you are interested in learning the techniques of Japanese cooking.
Christy_D, Feb 2024
We really enjoyed this small group cooking class and learning to make multiple Japanese dishes that we can try again at home. The dishes were delicious, and the instructors were very friendly and easy to learn from. We highly recommend this class.
Wendy_A, Feb 2024
This was our first cooking class booked through Viator and was at the Cooking Sun school in Kyoto. There were 4 of us including a 12 and 10 yr. old and we all loved the class. The teachers were attentive, organized and helpful to all of us in the class. We loved the food we cooked and we ended up eating a lot of food so do come hungry. You are given the history and the basics of Japanese cooking and how to use the different gadgets one uses in Japanese cookery. It is info given at a level for all cooking skills. I am really into cooking but my grandchildren were able to learn and understand the nuances that is part of Japanese cookery. All in all I would highly recommend the Cooking Sun classes. We loved it so much that we took 3 other cooking classes with Cooking Sun in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Fiona_S, Jan 2024
My family made a delicious assortment of dishes. It was informative and interactive and our hosts were by skilled and well organised so the afternoon was fun and enjoyable. Thank you
Lin_J, Nov 2023
The cooking is not difficult; the organization is thoughtful and efficient; the hosts are friendly and encouraging; and the food is delicious! Definitely recommend it
Guifr_P, Sep 2023
Great cooking experience. With many diferent dishes. And great staff. With perfect organisation. Very good skills and knowledge. Must do it!
Barry_L, Sep 2023
Japanese cooking was one of a few "must-do" activities on our trip. But we had to be careful because of food allergies (celiac). From our first contact through the entire interactive experience, the staff were very attentive to our special needs. And the food was delicious!
Anne_S, Sep 2023
Keiko and her team were organized, welcoming, explaining clearly in a way that was relaxed and fun. I learned so much and the food was all delicious! I truly enjoyed every moment. The space was comfortable and the equipment was clean and easy to use. They thought of EVERYTHING! We made a
variety of items and I believe I can replicate them at home. It was hands on and fun.
From $69.32
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Izakaya Style Cooking Class
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