Japanese Cooking Class in Nagoya: Learn Ichiju-Sansai

Grandma's family recipes have been passed down through generations, and you'll cook them yourself.

A 2.5-hour cooking class in Nagoya where you learn to prepare ichiju-sansai, a traditional Japanese home meal of rice, soup and three dishes, under the guidance of a local instructor. You'll make dashi stock from kelp and bonito flakes, taste different kinds of miso, cook dishes like red miso chicken or grilled salmon with shio-koji, and finish with a matcha ceremony and seasonal Japanese sweets. Limited to four people.

The experience

Two and a half hours covers the full arc: you start by learning ichiju-sansai, the traditional Japanese meal structure of a rice bowl, soup and three accompanying dishes. The menu centers on family recipes passed down through generations: red miso flavored chicken or grilled salmon marinated in shio-koji (salted rice malt) as the main, tofu and vegetable soup with soy sauce, a Japanese omelet, spinach salad with sesame sauce, and rice balls. You'll make the dashi stock yourself using kelp and bonito flakes, the foundation of Japanese home cooking. The class emphasizes Nagoya's local fermentation traditions: you'll taste different kinds of miso, the seasoning at the heart of these dishes, and understand how it shapes the flavors you're preparing.

After cooking and tasting what you've made, the experience shifts into a serene matcha ceremony where you craft your own matcha and enjoy it with seasonal Japanese sweets. The instructor speaks English or Japanese and works with just four people at a time, so the pacing stays unhurried and questions get answered as they come up. You'll leave with the recipes so you can cook these meals at home.

What’s included

• Live instruction in English or Japanese.
• all ingredients and equipment.
• dashi stock made from kelp and bonito flakes.
• miso tasting.
• welcome tea and tea during the meal.
• matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets for the closing ceremony.
• printed recipes to take home.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 22 Dec

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by おばあちゃんの名古屋めし

Is this one for you?The class is held in Nagoya with public transportation options nearby, so you can reach it easily without a car or a private transfer. The 2.5-hour format fits into a morning or afternoon, and the small group size means you'll have space to ask questions and learn at your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What is ichiju-sansai and why is it important in Japanese home cooking?

Ichiju-sansai is a traditional Japanese meal consisting of a bowl of rice with soup and three dishes: ichiju means soup, and sansai means one main dish and two side dishes. It represents a balanced, healthy approach to home cooking that has been central to Japanese family meals for generations, and the recipes in this class have been passed down through the instructor's own family.

Can I choose a different main dish if I don't eat chicken?

Yes. If you prefer to avoid chicken, grilled salmon marinated in shio-koji (salted rice malt) is offered as an alternative. Let the instructor know your preference when you book, or if you have any allergies or ingredients you wish to avoid.

What exactly is miso and why does the class include a tasting?

Miso is a traditional fermented seasoning made from soybeans and other ingredients, and it's fundamental to Japanese home cooking. The class includes a tasting of different kinds of miso so you understand the range of flavors and how to use them in the dishes you're preparing.

What happens after you cook and taste the dishes?

After the meal, you'll participate in a matcha ceremony where you make your own matcha and enjoy it with seasonal Japanese sweets, bringing the experience to a calm close.

How many people attend this class at once?

The class is limited to four people, keeping the experience intimate and allowing the instructor to give personalized attention to each participant.