Japanese Cooking Class in Takayama Old Town: Local Family Kitchen

Cook alongside locals in a century-old kitchen, not in a commercial studio

A three-hour cooking class in a private 200-year-old townhouse on Takayama Old Town's main street, where you prepare five seasonal dishes with Hisa and Bob, a local couple who share stories of life in the Hida mountains. The class includes Japanese tea and wagashi on arrival, instruction in making dashi and key ingredients, and a Japanese-style seasonal fruit dessert. Both hosts speak English fluently. Minimum age is 12. The class runs at 10:00 AM or 4:30 PM.

The experience

What sets this apart from a cooking school is the setting itself. You step into a 200-year-old wooden townhouse that sits on the main street of Takayama's Old Town yet feels removed from the world outside. A former clinic where locals were born, now a family home normally closed to the public. Hisa and Bob welcome you with Japanese tea and delicate wagashi before moving into the semi-outdoor kitchen, a peaceful space where meals are prepared much as they were generations ago.

You'll make dashi from scratch, learn which ingredients matter in Japanese home cooking, and cook five seasonal dishes tailored to your preferences and any dietary needs. The menu shifts with the season: early summer brings hoba sushi wrapped in magnolia leaf, while other months feature buri teriyaki, dashimaki tamago, sesame spinach, miso soup or dashi soup. You finish with fresh seasonal fruit prepared in a uniquely Japanese style. As you cook side by side, the hosts share stories about living in harmony with nature and the seasons in the Hida mountains, and what it means to call this old house home.

The class runs three hours at either 10:00 AM or 4:30 PM. Both hosts speak English fluently, so language is never a barrier. Dietary restrictions and food preferences can be accommodated: write them when you book. The townhouse is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby.

What’s included

• Japanese tea and traditional wagashi (sweets) on arrival.
• instruction in making dashi and selecting key ingredients.
• preparation of five seasonal dishes chosen to suit your preferences.
• a Japanese-style seasonal fruit dessert.
• coffee and/or tea.
• English-speaking hosts throughout the three-hour class.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 16:00 and 16:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Takayama & Beyond

Is this one for you?The class is hands-on cooking in a working kitchen, not a demonstration. You'll stand, chop, stir and taste as you learn. If you want to actually make the meal rather than watch someone else prepare it, and you're comfortable spending three hours on your feet in a traditional kitchen space, this suits you.

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Top questions

What does the 200-year-old townhouse look like inside?

The townhouse was once a local clinic where babies were born. Hisa and Bob will guide you through its unique spaces (the former clinic and their traditional living quarters), while sharing stories about the building's history and their life in Takayama. The semi-outdoor kitchen where you cook is a peaceful space designed much like kitchens of past generations.

Can I request specific dishes or accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. The five seasonal dishes are tailored to your preferences, and the hosts are happy to accommodate dietary needs and restrictions as much as possible. Write your requests when you book, and they'll adjust the menu accordingly.

What time does the class start and how long does it take?

The class runs for three hours and starts at either 10:00 AM or 4:30 PM. You'll choose your preferred time slot when booking.

Do I need cooking experience to join?

No. The class is designed for anyone interested in learning Japanese home cooking. Hisa and Bob guide you through each step, from making dashi to preparing the five dishes, so prior experience is not required. The minimum age is 12.

What's included in the class?

The class includes Japanese tea and wagashi on arrival; instruction in making dashi and learning key Japanese ingredients; preparation of five seasonal dishes; a Japanese-style seasonal fruit dessert; and coffee or tea. Both hosts speak English throughout.