Kyoto: Private Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class at Local Home

Kyoto sushi class in Emika’s kitchen with tea ceremony and local flavors

You’ll step into Emika’s Kyoto home for a hands-on sushi cooking class using fresh organic veggies from her family farm, learn to make miso soup from scratch, share stories over homemade food, then finish with a traditional tea ceremony—and if you want, explore a local market together after lunch. You’ll leave with new skills and maybe even a few laughs about your first attempt at rolling sushi rice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kyoto cooking class and tea ceremony

• Meet Emika at her home
• Enjoy traditional matcha green tea
• Learn to make sushi or Obanzai dishes
• Prepare homemade miso soup
• Cook with organic vegetables from Emika's farm
• Enjoy the meal you prepared together
• Participate in Japanese tea ceremony

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the soft clatter of knives on wood—Emika was already prepping vegetables when we arrived at her Kyoto home. Her kitchen smelled faintly of toasted sesame and something green, maybe shiso leaves? It felt like visiting a friend, not a chef. She handed me a daikon radish from her family’s farm, still dusted with earth. I tried to say “daikon” in Japanese and she laughed—apparently my accent is hopeless.

We started with matcha, whisked by Emika’s father (he moves so quietly you barely notice him until the tea is ready). The bowl warmed my hands. Then we got into the sushi part—she let us pick between nigiri or oshi style, but honestly I just followed her lead. Chopping cucumbers together felt almost meditative. She explained every step but never rushed us, even when I fumbled the rice (sticky fingers are apparently part of the process). I didn’t expect to enjoy making miso soup as much as eating it, but stirring it from scratch is kind of soothing.

If you choose the market tour option, after lunch you walk with Emika to a little supermarket ten minutes away. It’s not touristy at all—just regular folks shopping for dinner. She pointed out different seasonings and picked up some yuzu kosho for us to try back home. There was this moment where an old woman offered me a sample of pickled plums; I still think about that taste—sharp and sweet at once.

We ended back at Emika’s table with another round of tea. The light through her window made everything look soft and golden. I left full (maybe too full) but mostly just grateful for how open she was about her family recipes and daily life in Kyoto. If you’re looking for a private Kyoto cooking class that actually feels personal, this is it—even if your sushi comes out lopsided like mine did.

Top questions

How long does the Kyoto cooking class last?

The cooking portion usually takes about an hour before you sit down to eat together.

Is the tea ceremony included in this private Kyoto experience?

Yes, the experience starts or ends with a traditional matcha tea ceremony prepared by Emika or her father.

Can I choose what type of sushi to make?

You can choose between nigiri or oshi style sushi or select another main dish like okonomiyaki or gyoza when booking.

Are vegetarian options available during the class?

Yes, Emika uses seasonal vegetables from her family’s organic field and can accommodate dietary preferences if informed in advance.

What happens during the market tour option?

If you add the market tour, after lunch you’ll walk 10 minutes with Emika to visit local supermarkets where she explains Japanese ingredients and helps you shop.

Is this Kyoto sushi class suitable for beginners?

All skill levels are welcome; Emika guides each step patiently so no prior experience is needed.

Are drinks included in this experience?

You’ll enjoy 1–2 glasses of local alcohol along with your meal during the class.

Where does the experience take place?

The private cooking class and tea ceremony happen inside Emika’s home in Kyoto.

What’s included

Your day includes a private sushi cooking class using organic vegetables from Emika’s family farm, homemade miso soup preparation, two Obanzai-style vegetable dishes, Japanese sweets, 1–2 glasses of local alcohol, plus a traditional matcha tea ceremony either before or after your meal—and if you opt in, an after-lunch market tour where Emika helps you explore and shop for Japanese ingredients nearby.