Cook Matsuyama tai-meshi & matcha sweets in Ehime

Shape soy sauce mochi by hand, then taste what you made

A hands-on cooking class in Matsuyama Castle town where you make three local Ehime dishes (sea bream rice, soy sauce mochi and matcha tea) under the guidance of a professional chef. The recipes come from a registered dietitian with 20 years of government food expertise. Children from age 3 can join. Food allergies and vegan diets are accommodated.

The experience

You'll start with Matsuyama tai-meshi, a whole sea bream simmered together with rice in one pot so the fish's flavor soaks into every grain. The chef demonstrates each step, then you follow along. The process is simple enough for beginners and children, but the result tastes like something that took hours. Next comes soy sauce mochi, a traditional Matsuyama sweet with the distinct aroma of soy sauce and ginger, which you shape however you like with your hands. The class ends with a Japanese tea ceremony experience featuring matcha, so you move from making food to the ritual of preparing and drinking it.

An English-speaking guide walks through every ingredient and technique, explaining why each one matters to Ehime's food culture. Aprons are provided, so you arrive empty-handed and leave with photographs of what you cooked. The whole class runs 90 minutes, fitting easily into a morning or afternoon in the castle town. Allergies and vegan preferences are handled in advance, and the space is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for the entire 90-minute class.
• all three dishes you make and taste.
• aprons.
• photography and video services.
• tea ceremony experience with matcha.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Smile Apron

Is this one for you?You do the cooking yourself under the chef's guidance, not watching from the side, so you leave knowing how to make these dishes at home. This works best for people who want hands-on learning and don't mind a small shared group. If you prefer private instruction or a one-on-one setup, ask about availability when you book.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Matsuyama tai-meshi and why is it made with a whole fish?

Matsuyama tai-meshi is a local rice dish where slices of sea bream are simmered together with rice in one pot. The fish's flavor infuses the rice as it cooks, creating a rich, aromatic dish that would taste flat if the bream were added after the rice was done.

What does the matcha tea ceremony part involve?

The tea ceremony is an experience where you learn the ritual of preparing and drinking matcha, the powdered green tea central to Japanese tea culture. It comes at the end of the class, after you've made and tasted the food you cooked.

Do I need to bring anything or wear anything special?

Aprons are provided, so you come empty-handed. Wear clothes you don't mind getting flour or food on, but there's no special dress code for the class itself.

How does the class handle food allergies or vegan diets?

Allergies and vegan preferences are accommodated, and the chef discusses this with you when you book so the ingredients can be adjusted before the class starts.