Kanazawa Onigirazu Making: Japanese Rice Sandwich with Locals

Roll your own onigirazu in a machiya townhouse, then eat it with the people who taught you how.

Learn to make onigirazu, a Japanese rice sandwich, in a traditional Kanazawa machiya townhouse with local residents in a small-group, relaxed setting. You choose your fillings, wrap the sandwich yourself, and share the meal together. The class includes Kaga Bocha roasted tea from Kanazawa and local sightseeing tips. No cooking experience is required, and participation is optional and pressure-free.

The experience

You arrive at a traditional machiya townhouse in Kanazawa and spend 90 minutes making onigirazu with local aunties who know the city. This is not a formal cooking class. It is a home visit where you learn by doing. You pick your fillings from what is available, wrap the rice sandwich yourself, and then eat what you made in a warm, unhurried setting. The aunties share sightseeing tips for the neighborhood and beyond while you sit together over tea.

The small-group format means the experience stays intimate and conversational. English-friendly hosts guide you through the steps, and because participation is relaxed, you join in as much or as little as you want. Fresh local ingredients go into every sandwich, and Kaga Bocha (a roasted tea from the Kanazawa region) comes with the meal. No prior cooking skill is needed. The point is connection, not technique.

What’s included

• All materials and ingredients for making your onigirazu.
• Kaga Bocha roasted tea from Kanazawa.
• local sightseeing tips from your hosts.
• a small-group, English-friendly setting in a traditional machiya townhouse.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 11:00 and 13:00

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 6

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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Public transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by IN KANAZAWA HOUSE

Is this one for you?The townhouse is accessible by public transportation, so this works well if you are staying elsewhere in Kanazawa or arrived without a car. The 90-minute format fits a free afternoon between other plans, and the relaxed, no-pressure setup means you can enjoy it at your own pace without worrying about keeping up.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Under 7: they can't be included in the booking.

What is onigirazu and how is it different from regular onigiri?

Onigirazu is a Japanese rice sandwich made by layering rice, nori seaweed, and fillings between sheets of nori, then wrapping and slicing it. Unlike traditional onigiri, which is hand-shaped into a ball or triangle, onigirazu is assembled flat and cut into neat rectangles, making it easier to eat and more visually striking.

Can I choose what fillings go into my onigirazu?

Yes. You select from the fillings available on the day and combine them to create your own recipe. The aunties help you decide, but the sandwich you make reflects your own choices.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No. The class is designed so anyone can join, and no prior cooking experience is required. The aunties walk you through each step, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

What is Kaga Bocha and when do I drink it?

Kaga Bocha is a roasted tea from the Kanazawa region, included with the class. You enjoy it together with the aunties after you finish eating your onigirazu.