Japanese Cooking: Sushi and Obanzai Delights

Immerse yourself in the art of Japanese cooking with a Kyoto cooking class. Learn sushi and Obanzai techniques, make traditional dishes, and enjoy a meal together in a local home.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 31-30 Katsurainariyamachō - This is a wonderful chance to visit a local’s home and immerse yourself in traditional culture and cuisine. Join Emika at her residence for a regional culinary adventure that begins or concludes with a freshly prepared cup of traditional matcha green tea, made by Emika or her father. In this Kyoto cooking class,…
What's Included
  • Local alcohol (1-2 glasses)
  • Private cooking class and tea ceremony with your host Emika
  • Supermarket and produce market tour (if you choose the Market tour option)
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meal Options
  • Choice of 1 main: - Sushi (nigiri or oshi) | Okonomiyaki | Gyoza | Obanzai main (meat or fish)
  • Obanzai style vegetable side dishes
  • Japanese sweet
  • Japanese tea ceremony
Additional Information

In this session, you’ll acquire the skills to create sushi based on your preference or traditional Obanzai style meals such as seasoned and cooked mushrooms, pickled or braised seasonal veggies and tofu recipes prepared the old-fashioned way. This will take place amidst engaging discussions with your host Emika in her warm and inviting kitchen. Emika…

Location
31-30 Katsurainariyamachō
Meet your host Emika at her home. The above is a generic location, not the exact address. Exact address and Google Maps link can be found in your ticket upon confirmation, check the 'before you go' section. It is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Katsura station on the Hankyu Kyoto line.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(66 Ratings)
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T7001volouisc
May 5, 2025
Great time and enriching cooking experience! - We had a great time with Emika, who taught us the basics of making sushi and other Japanese specialities. We'd like to thank her for her warm welcome and kindness. We had a wonderful time and, as the icing on the cake, we were able to make and taste a wonderful matcha tea!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gillian
May 4, 2025
Private sushi class - Enjoyable experience. Made to feel very welcome in her home. Worthwhile to do whilst in Japan. Well taught and then lovely to sit together and have lunch with our sushi creation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brett_g
Apr 12, 2025
A home cooking experience that shows real Japanese home life. - Mrs. Emika was a wonderful hostess. Although a 10-15 minute walk from the Kasura station, she lives in a very nice neighborhood and we enjoyed walking, with the assistance of google map, through the winding streets of her neighborhood. Emika was warm and inviting. Although she hasn't ever spent any time in a English speaking country, her English is comprehensive and easy to understand (Eigo o Jōzuna desu). She was very good about teaching and explaining Japanese eating culture. She involved all members of our family with the cooking experience and shared the recipes with us so we could replicate them at home. We chose the sushi experience and Emika was well suited as she worked in a sushi restaurant during the pandemic. Ture to the typical Japanese meal, we also made the side dishes like sonomono, broccolini dish and miso. For the miso she used miso paste that her family makes and it had a wonderful nutty flavor as compared to other miso soups. She sourced high quality ingredients for the sashimi portion of the meal. She was also very accommodating for my wife being a vegetarian. The tour of the local supermarket was also interesting and I would highly recommend that you participate in this as well. Her supermarket has a bakery and we stocked up on some Japanese breads and fresh fruits for snacks later in the day. It was an experience that was well worth it and if we are in Kyoto again we would consider taking another class so we could try her okonomikayi or gyoza.
Review provided by Viator
O8438ozmarinad
Apr 10, 2025
Cooking experience with Emika - My son and I had a great experience cooking with Emika. She was very knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. We've learned how to make a few different dishes, as well as Sushi. What I also loved how authentic the experience was cooking with Emika at her own house. Would highly recommend and do it again. and everything tasted amazing :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juli
Apr 10, 2025
A memorable experience! - A fantastic experience all around. Emika is a welcoming and gracious host. Our gyoza making party was an experience. We will never forget and a perfect introduction to Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Art_k
Apr 6, 2025
Great experience with Emika. - This was a very enjoyable and informative experience. Emika was very patient and kind. She explained Japanese customs as well as detailed instructions in making sushi, Miso soup, and two vegtable side dishes. After making and eating our dishes, she took us to a local market to point out several Japanese food products and spices. This was a wonderful experience and well worth the time and cost.
Review provided by Viator
Laur2626
Apr 2, 2025
Great class with Emika - We had such a nice time cooking with Emika! She was a very good teacher and it was great to spend time with a local. We learned a lot more than just sushi and would highly recommend her! She was also very kind to our 8 month old baby and had some special treats for him. Thanks Emika!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_s
Mar 14, 2025
Unique and fun experience! - We cooked okomiyaki with Emika and it was super yummy and fun! Afterwards we went shopping locally for spices so that we can try at home
Review provided by Viator
588austinf
Mar 9, 2025
Okonomiyak-yay! - We loved our cooking class with Emika! Getting out of the city to learn how to cook a traditional Japanese meal in a traditional Japanese home was a highlight of our trip. We enjoyed the fresh ingredients grown in Emikas garden. Very filling meal!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amydo2498wj
Jan 20, 2025
Cozy home cooking with Emika - Learning home cooking recipes and being guided through neighborhood grocery stores made for a perfect day in Kyoto. What a pleasure to learn to cook with organic ingredients that Emika grew in her garden. She has a lovely encouraging style as a teacher. She was so kind in driving us to two grocery stores, shortening our time in the rain. We are very grateful for Emika’s warm welcome to her Kyoto home kitchen. Now home, we continue to make okonomiyaki and cucumber salad from the recipes. she taught us. We highly recommend this class for Kyoto visitors like us looking to expand their home cooking skills.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $109
up to 4 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).