Tokyo: Make a Japanese Character Bento, Kids Welcome
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tokyo, Japan
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Dive into Japan’s kawaii food culture with an interactive bento‑making Japanese cooking class in Tokyo. Under expert guidance, shape rice into a themed “character” lunchbox—panda, dog, or a seasonal character—using fresh, local ingredients. It’s a creative, hands‑on, family-friendly Tokyo activity for kids and first-timers that blends cooking with cultural insight. Enjoy a delicious (and adorable) meal and go home with a fun new skill.
- Craft your own character bento—fun, cute, and edible
- Learn Japanese food‑art tradition from local instructors
- Beginners welcome—No special cooking skills are needed
- Families with kids, couples, friends and solo travelers all share the same table
Sample Menu
Main
Panda Character Bento
A cute panda face you decorate yourself. Character confirmed by email after booking.
Main
Shiba Inu Character Bento
Japan's beloved Shiba Inu dog, made into a bento face you design.
Main
Seasonal Character Bento
Christmas Nov 1 to Dec 25, then a pink bear design from Dec 26. Your character is confirmed by email after booking.
What's Included
- Ingredients and supplies for character bento creation
- Apron and all tools
- Easy visual guides and an English recipe
- The bento you make, eaten at the studio
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Tokyo Cute BentoJapan, 107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 2-chōme−2−２１ 地下1階
1 minute from Exit 8 of Tameike-Sanno Station. Look for the panda bento sign: we are on B1, under a ramen shop. Wheelchair, stroller or large luggage: take the Exit 7 elevator and walk straight across the intersection to our building. Wheelchair users: tell us when booking. Doors open 10 min early.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Kids welcome: under-6s join free and share a bento with a parent, and kids aged 6 to 15 make their own bento.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 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
We had such a wonderful experience at the bento box–making class! Everything was so well laid out and organized from the start, which made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. The hosts gave clear, easy-to-follow instructions and were warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout. We loved every part of it—preparing the food, learning new techniques, and of course, eating the beautiful bento boxes we created. The atmosphere was relaxed, fun, and inviting, making it a perfect activity for our family. This was not only a delicious meal but also a memorable cultural experience we’ll treasure. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Tokyo! Especially families!
Reviews
5.0
based on 175 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
35 reviews
Select a theme to learn more
Travelers praise the bento box making tour for its creative, family-friendly activities and beginner-friendly structure. Clear instructions and hands-on participation make the cooking experience engaging and accessible, with accommodations for dietary needs. Guides and instructors receive consistent commendation for their friendly, patient, and knowledgeable approach, particularly in engaging children and providing cultural insights that enrich the overall experience.
Was this helpful?
Traveler reviews summarised by AI
Sort by: Most insightful
We did this with our 8 year old daughter and it was so cute. We each had so much fun making our own box and then we got to eat them afterwards. Kenji was also a great instructor. I would highly recommend this for families!
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re really happy to hear that your whole family, especially your 8-year-old daughter, enjoyed making and eating your cute bento boxes 😊
We’re also glad you enjoyed Kenji’s guidance. We always try to make the workshop fun and family-friendly for both kids and adults!
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome your family again someday! 🍱✨
really nicely done very well put together an organized a great fun activity for the whole family
And you get to eat it when you’re done
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re really happy to hear you found the workshop well organized and fun for the whole family 😊
And of course, eating your cute bento at the end is one of the best parts! 🍱✨
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you again someday!
Overall a great experience with the tour itself. Was happy about the entire turn out and definitely a memorable excursion. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re really happy to hear you had a great experience and that it became a memorable part of your trip 😊
We always try to make our workshop fun, well-organized, and enjoyable from start to finish.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again someday! 🍱✨
This was such a fun experience! Kenji is a great instructor and very friendly with all guests. We had a great time making bento boxes with him and his staff.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re really happy to hear you had a fun time making bento boxes with us 😊
We always try to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all guests, so your words mean a lot to us.
Thank you for joining our workshop, and we hope to see you again someday! 🍱✨
We had a great time learning how to make cute bento! Our instructor was patient and funny. Our bento looked cute and tasted great in the end! We made panda bento, but they gave us a choice of a cute frog or a cute dog. Make sure you check the messages from the vendor before the class so you can choose. I missed the message and we ended up with a random choice, but no regrets as the panda were really cute!
The nearby Hie Shrine was also a nice visit afterwards.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review!
We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed making and eating your cute panda bentos 😊 We usually ask guests to choose their character through a message before the class, so thank you for mentioning this helpful tip for future guests!
We’re also glad you enjoyed visiting the nearby Hie Shrine afterward. Thank you again, and we hope to welcome you back someday! 🍱✨
I did this with my 3 kids- ages 8, 8, and 16, and they all loved it. They got to pick their animal and the instructions were very simple to follow. The staff was so kind and helped the kids make their food art. The kids are already talking about making these for their school lunch next year! This was such a fun couple of hours- 10/10 recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re really happy to hear that all three of your children enjoyed making their own animal bento 😊
We try to make the instructions easy to follow while giving everyone the freedom to create their own unique food art. It’s especially exciting to hear they’re already planning to make bento for their school lunches!
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to see your family again someday! 🍱✨
We had a fantastic time making bento boxes! Kenji was an amazing host and super friendly. The bento boxes are too cute and they were a great activity for the family. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
I’m really happy to hear your family enjoyed making the bento boxes together 😊
We always try to create a fun experience that both kids and adults can enjoy, so your feedback means a lot.
Thank you for your recommendation, and I hope to see you again someday! 🍱✨🐼
The Bento Box Tour was an outstanding experience and a highlight of our trip. It struck the perfect balance between being engaging, educational, and genuinely fun for the whole family. My 5- and 11-year-old were completely absorbed from start to finish, which is not always easy to achieve. The hands-on elements were especially well done, allowing the kids to actively participate rather than just observe. They loved learning how to assemble their own bento boxes and trying new foods in a relaxed, supportive environment. The guide was patient, knowledgeable, and clearly experienced with children, which made a significant difference. The pace was ideal, never rushed but always moving. It felt authentic without being overwhelming. This is an excellent choice for families looking for something interactive and culturally meaningful that keeps kids fully engaged. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review!
I’m truly happy to hear that your whole family enjoyed the experience and that your children stayed engaged throughout—that means a lot to me 😊
It was great to see them actively participating and enjoying making their own bento in a relaxed environment.
We always try to create a comfortable and fun experience for both kids and adults, so your kind words really encourage me.
Thank you again for your recommendation, and I hope to see your family again someday!
We did this bento-making class as a family and it turned out to be such a fun and memorable experience. It started with a short presentation that gave us a good understanding of bento—simple, informative, and easy to follow even for the kids.
The hands-on part was the best. The kids loved putting together their own bentos and choosing how to arrange everything. Kept them fully engaged the whole time. Even the adults enjoyed it more than expected.
We all walked to a nearby park to eat what we made. It was a nice, relaxed way to end the experience.
Overall, very well-organized, informative without being too heavy, and enjoyable for all ages.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review!
I’m really happy to hear that your whole family enjoyed the experience and that the introduction was easy for everyone, including the kids, to follow.
It was great to see your children so engaged and creative while making their own bento 😊
I’m also glad you enjoyed the time at the park—it’s one of my favorite ways to finish the experience.
Thank you again for your kind words, and I hope to see your family again someday!
We had a great time making our bento boxes! My 9 & 11 year old girls loved the experience (mom and dad did too) and were able to do everything on their own. Kenji very kind and patient with us. And then we got to eat our creation. The chicken was delicious!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
I’m really happy to hear that your daughters—and you as well—enjoyed making the bento boxes together. It was great to see them doing everything on their own!
I’m glad you liked the chicken too 😊
Our workshop is designed so both kids and adults can enjoy the experience, so your feedback means a lot to me.
I hope to see your family again soon!
We went, my cousin and I. We are travelling form France. The instructors were super nice, friendly and fun ! The workshop was beautifully prepared, very accessible (we did the English version) and really fun. We learned a lot about the traditions of bento making, and were encouraged through the whole workshop to make a beautiful piece of art ! There is a photo stand where you can take photos of your work. We made 2 different characters, panda and bear, they were both super adorable !
The bento ingredients were very fresh and well prepared, and we chose to eat our bento at the workshop location after making it, rather than taking it home. They also have drinks available to buy during the workshop and for eating. It was delicious !!
The atmosphere was really friendly and welcoming, and the instructors were very nice, helpful and encouraging. They also kindly gave many great recommendations of things to see, do, eat or shop in Tokyo. We look forward to trying them out !
Thank you so much to Kenji and Sei for making this experience so enjoyable and exciting ! We highly recommend it, for people of all ages who are passionate about Japanese food culture.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for coming all the way from France and for your beautiful message!
It was such a pleasure having you both in the workshop. Your panda and bear bentos turned out absolutely adorable — each one had its own personality! I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed learning about bento traditions and that the English class felt easy to follow.
I’m also glad you chose to enjoy your bentos at the studio — fresh and handmade always tastes best 😊 And thank you for mentioning the atmosphere and recommendations — we truly enjoy sharing our favorite Tokyo spots with our guests.
Sei and I had a great time with you. We hope you have an amazing rest of your trip and try some of the places we suggested!
Kenji and his team did such an amazing job teaching us how to put together super fun and cute bento lunches! He also taught us some about the history of bento, which was a fun and unexpected touch. Additionally, our family has some really annoying food allergies and his team went out of the way to be sure we had a safe and equally fun experience (we are used to having to “miss out” on things). Their care and attention really made the experience special! It was a great break from touring and an enormous hit with the kids. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews on both TripAdvisor and Viator — we truly appreciate it!
It was such a pleasure to welcome your family, and we're really glad to hear you felt safe and included despite the food allergies. We always try our best to make sure everyone can enjoy the experience equally, so your kind words mean a lot.
The bentos you all made were super creative and fun — we hope you’ll keep making them back home too!
Wishing you and your family many more joyful food adventures ahead!
This was such an awesome experience, it was my favorite part of our trip, so informative and super fun. Plus everything was really thought out and we got so many pictures. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for the amazing feedback!
I'm really happy to hear the bento class was your favorite part of the trip — that means a lot!
We always try to make it both fun and memorable, with plenty of photo moments to look back on.
Thanks again for coming, and I hope you’ll keep making cute bentos at home too!
I had such a great afternoon creating my kawaii bento box. They were also able to cater to my vegan dietary requirement with no problems and went above and beyond during the class! We got to make several mini cute characters/items as well as a main animal, I went for a panda. Everything was really well structured and I felt very at ease and enjoyed myself. Thanks!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and had fun making your cute bento.
At Tokyo Cute Bento, we always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies so that everyone can join safely and comfortably.
We hope the rest of your time in Japan is just as memorable!
If you ever visit Tokyo again, please come back and make another cute bento with us 😊
This class is beginner friendly and well tailored in the process of bento making. Very creative and interesting!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for joining the class and for your kind words!
I'm really happy to hear that you found it creative and enjoyable — especially as a beginner 😊
Hope you’ll continue making cute bentos at home too!
Both Kenji and Mami were wonderful. Class was very professional and fun. We were given options for our bento as well as a bit of knowledge. My only regret is that I did not book two classes. I would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining our class and for the wonderful review!
We’re really happy to hear you had a fun time with both Mami and me 😊
It was a pleasure guiding you through the bento-making process, and your creation turned out so cute!
Next time you’re in Tokyo, we’d love to welcome you back for round two — maybe with a different character design 😄
It’s so much fun! Kenji did an amazing job in teaching us how to make the cutest bentos. He also set up nice backdrop fir us to take photos for our finished products.
We didn’t realize until we dig into our bento later that the food he prepared was yummy!
Thank you, Kenji and your very friendly assistant.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for coming!
It really made me happy to see you both enjoying the class and creating such cute bentos.
I’m also glad to hear the food turned out to be tasty — I always hope people enjoy both the making and the eating 😊
Hope you got some nice photos! Come visit again anytime — I'd love to see you both!
An excellent experience delivered by such a warm, friendly host. Kenji was great at sharing knowledge and helping us to create our very own character bento boxes. Would highly recommend as an authentic and fun experience for those visiting Tokyo.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for the lovely review!
Your panda and dog bentos turned out super cute – you both did an amazing job!
Hope you keep enjoying bento-making even after you’re back home 😊
– Kenji (Tokyo Cute Bento Team)
Had a great time doing the cute bento boxes with Kenji. He was very friendly and guided us through the process which made it a lot easier than i thought it would be.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for joining our workshop and for the kind review!
We’re so glad you both enjoyed making the cute bento boxes together — you did an awesome job!
Hope you’re having a great time exploring Osaka too. Come visit us again anytime!
We had such a wonderful experience at the bento box–making class! Everything was so well laid out and organized from the start, which made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. The hosts gave clear, easy-to-follow instructions and were warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout.
We loved every part of it—preparing the food, learning new techniques, and of course, eating the beautiful bento boxes we created. The atmosphere was relaxed, fun, and inviting, making it a perfect activity for our family.
This was not only a delicious meal but also a memorable cultural experience we’ll treasure. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Tokyo! Especially families!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful message!
We’re truly happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the class — from making the bento to learning new techniques together. It was a pleasure hosting you all, and your bento boxes turned out beautifully!
Wishing you many more wonderful memories during your time in Japan.
Kenji made the kawaii bento class informative and fun. The class, setup, and presentation was very organized. He was extremely patient and encouraged our inner most creativity. The bentos came out better than we could've imagined... so much so, that we didn't want to eat it. LoL This was probably the most fun we've had in any cooking class. Highly recommend this class! 👍🏼👍🏼
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm really happy to hear you had such a fun time — and that your bentos turned out too cute to eat (that’s the best compliment! 😄). It was a pleasure to see your creativity shine. I truly appreciate the recommendation and hope the memories stay with you for a long time.
Hope to see you again someday!
We had the best experience with Kenji. It was fun and easy. A great hands on activity in Tokyo. Definitely was a highlight of our trip. 100% would recommend making it a part of your trip to Tokyo.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that the workshop was a highlight of your trip. It was a pleasure having you, and we're so glad you found it fun and easy. Hope you’ll visit us again next time you're in Tokyo!
Kenji and Yuzu put on a great food art class. If you love creating art and Japanese food, this is a great place to do it.
We created a panda and a dog bento box out of prepared ingredients and were provided the tools and guidance necessary.
I think this experience is best for kids who like to create things, but I enjoyed it even as an adult.
Very fun and very wonderful people who hosted it.
Thank you Kenji and Yuzu for the experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for joining us and for your lovely message! We’re so glad you enjoyed the experience — your panda and dog bentos turned out great! It makes us happy to hear that even as an adult, you had fun creating. We truly enjoyed hosting you and hope to welcome you again someday!
My granddaughters said it’s good and fun.
We just got lost looking for the place 😩. I suggest to check the accuracy of the address.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for joining the workshop, and I’m glad to hear your granddaughters had fun! I'm really sorry to hear you had trouble finding the location — thank you for the honest feedback. We’ll double-check the address information and make sure it’s clearer for future guests. Hope we can welcome you again for another fun experience!
My teenaged and young adult daughters and I had the best time with Kenji making our Panda, Bear and Frog Bento Boxes. He was so helpful and organized with step by step photos and pre-prepared sets for each of us. We even took photos with background options with lights. I found the experience very relaxing and enjoyable and yummy too! I highly recommended this activity.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was such a pleasure having you and your daughters in the workshop. I’m so glad you enjoyed making the Panda, Bear, and Frog bentos — they all turned out so cute! I'm happy to hear that the step-by-step photos and pre-prepared sets helped make the process smooth and relaxing. And I’m especially glad you enjoyed the photo setup and, of course, the tasting at the end! I truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again someday.
Great fun and very family friendly. Instructors English was great. Venue is one floor down under Ramen shop. Facilities were very nice and modern.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Great fun and very family friendly. Instructors English was great. Venue is one floor down
under Ramen shop. Facilities were very nice and modern.
It is in a restaurant below street level. Requires some looking to find, but very worthwhile not for small kids. Really enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your review! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the experience and found it worthwhile. Yes, the workshop is held in a space below street level, so thank you for making the effort to find us! We’re happy you joined and hope to welcome you again in the future.
They accommodated our vegetarian preference. It was a fun experience. My daughter and I enjoyed making the cute items. We also got to keep the bento box!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m really glad we could accommodate your vegetarian preference and that you and your daughter enjoyed making the cute items together. It was a pleasure having you in the workshop — and I’m happy you got to take your bento box home as a memory! Hope to see you again someday.
Super fun class to take if you're into Japanese culture and washoku. I really enjoyed learning tips and tricks for making super cute kawaii bento boxes like you see in anime and Manga. Definitely worth doing on a rainy day or if you're just looking for something low-key to do because you need a break from walking around! ^_^
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I’m really glad you enjoyed making cute bento boxes that look like they came straight out of anime or manga. It’s the perfect relaxing activity for a rainy day or when you just need a break from walking around. I’d love to welcome you back anytime!
Exceeded our expectations. Was such a fun hands on experience. We got to play with our food then eat it. They were so friendly and made you feel at home. Can’t wait to try this at home. A must for all ages
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I’m truly happy to hear the experience exceeded your expectations! It was a pleasure having you in the workshop, and I’m glad you felt at home while having fun and creating your own cute bento. I hope you’ll enjoy trying it again at home—it's such a fun activity for all ages. You’re always welcome back anytime!
From
-10%
$58.07
per personWas $64.52
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Tokyo: Make a Japanese Character Bento, Kids Welcome
175
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$64.52
$58.07
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Shore Excursions
- Full-day Tours
- Bus Tours
- Historical Tours
- Day Trips
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- Cultural Tours
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Tokyo
- Full-day Tours - Musashino
- Full-day Tours - Kawasaki
- Bus Tours - Kawasaki
- Historical Tours - Kawasaki
- Shore Excursions - Yokohama
- Full-day Tours - Yokohama
- Bus Tours - Yokohama
- Historical Tours - Yokohama
Attractions in Tokyo, Japan
- Wako Ginza Tours & Tickets
- Gotoh Museum Tours & Tickets
- Shinjuku Park (Shinjuku Gyoen) Tours & Tickets
- Ghibli Museum Tours & Tickets
- Ameyoko Shopping Street (Ameya-Yokocho) Tours & Tickets
- Odaiba Seaside Park (Odaiba Kaihin Koen) Tours & Tickets
- DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Tours & Tickets
- Ginza Six Tours & Tickets
- Rikugien Garden Tours & Tickets
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Tours & Tickets
- National Art Center Tokyo (NACT) Tours & Tickets
- Shibamata Tours & Tickets
- Unicorn Gundam Statue Tours & Tickets
- Tokyo National Museum Tours & Tickets
- Tokyo Dome City Tours & Tickets