Cooking Lesson: Matsuyama Castle Town Local Cuisine

A whole sea bream cooks together with rice in one pot, and the fish's flavor soaks into every grain.

A hands-on cooking class in Matsuyama Castle town where you learn to prepare traditional Ehime dishes including Matsuyama Tai-meshi, Imotaki stew, and dashi broth under the guidance of a professional culinary instructor and registered dietitian. The class runs 90 minutes, includes all meals, and welcomes children from age 3. Aprons and work clothes are provided, so you bring nothing but your appetite.

The experience

What does it take to cook the dishes that define a region? This class answers that by walking you through three recipes that sit at the heart of Matsuyama's food culture. You'll learn how a whole sea bream flavors rice as it steams together in one pot, how to build a hearty taro stew called Imotaki with soy-based broth and root vegetables, and how to make dashi: the foundational broth that runs through Japanese cooking. A professional culinary instructor leads each step, and because the recipes are designed for beginners and children, you follow along without prior experience.

The class takes place in the castle town itself, at the foot of Matsuyama Castle. An English-speaking guide walks you through each ingredient and its role, so you understand not just the how but the why. Aprons and work clothes are provided. You arrive ready to cook. The whole session runs 90 minutes, and you eat what you make. All meals are included. A registered dietitian with 20 years of experience in public administration developed the menu, so the food is grounded in real nutritional knowledge, not just tradition.

Children from age 3 can participate, and the setup welcomes families. The location is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are nearby if you're staying elsewhere in the city. Photography and video services are available, so you can capture the process and take the recipes home in more than just memory.

What’s included

• All meals prepared during the class.
• English-speaking culinary instructor for the full 90 minutes.
• aprons and work clothes.
• recipes developed by a registered dietitian.
• photography and video services available.

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Smile Apron

Is this one for you?The class sits at the foot of Matsuyama Castle in the castle town itself, reachable by public transportation if you're staying elsewhere in the city or without a car, so the location settles the logistics before 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 dishes do I actually cook in this class?

You prepare three dishes: Matsuyama Tai-meshi, a whole sea bream steamed with rice so the fish's flavor soaks into the grain; Imotaki, a hearty taro stew with soy-based broth, root vegetables, chicken and mushrooms; and dashi, the foundational broth that anchors Japanese cooking. You learn about each ingredient and how to prepare it, then eat all three.

Do I need cooking experience or special gear?

No prior experience is needed. The recipes are simple enough for children and beginners to follow along while watching a professional demonstration. Aprons and work clothes are provided, so you bring nothing but yourself.

How long does the class take and what's included?

The class runs 90 minutes. Included are all meals you prepare, an English-speaking guide for the entire session, aprons and work clothes, and recipes supervised by a registered dietitian. Photography and video services are also available.