Kyoto Wagashi Cooking Class: Make 3 Japanese Sweets

Make mochi ice cream, dorayaki, and mitarashidango from scratch in a tatami room

A wagashi cooking class in Kyoto where you hand-craft three types of Japanese sweets in a traditional house with an English-speaking instructor, then enjoy them with matcha tea and garden views. Small groups max out at six people. Vegetarian and vegan options are available with advance notice. You'll take home full recipes to recreate the sweets at home.

The experience

What do you actually make in a Japanese sweets class? Three different wagashi: mochi ice cream, dorayaki pancakes filled with red bean jam, and mitarashidango dumplings with salty-sweet sauce. The menu shifts with the season, so what you craft depends on when you book. You'll work in a beautiful traditional Japanese house with tatami rooms and a garden view, and an English-speaking instructor will demonstrate each step before you start, so the techniques are clear even if you've never made these before.

The class runs about two hours. You hand-craft each sweet yourself (or with a partner if you're booking as a pair), working through the steps at your own pace while the instructor circulates. After you finish, you sit down with the other participants to taste what you've made alongside a fresh cup of ceremonial matcha tea, all with the garden in view. The ingredients, seasonings, and all the tea are included. You just bring yourself and an appetite to learn.

Groups stay small, no more than six people, which means the instructor can watch your work and answer questions without anyone feeling rushed. If you're booking a private session with more than five people, you can request that when you message after booking a standard group class. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you request them in advance. You'll leave with full written recipes so you can remake these sweets for friends and family back home.

What’s included

• All ingredients and seasonings for the three sweets you make.
• English-speaking instructor.
• ceremonial matcha tea and coffee or tea to enjoy with your finished sweets.
• full written recipes to take home.
• use of the traditional Japanese kitchen and tatami rooms with garden views.

Options for this experience

4 options

Group (Seasonal Sweets)Up to 6 people · Guide in English · 15:00Group class for up to 6 participants: Seasonal Sweets, with the menu varying by season

Group (Matcha Sweets)Up to 6 people · Guide in English · 15:00Group class for up to 6 participants: Matcha Sweets, with the menu varying by season

Private (Seasonal Sweets)Up to 5 people · Guide in English · 15:00Private class: Seasonal Sweets, with the menu varying by season

Private (Matcha Sweets)Up to 5 people · Guide in English · 15:00Private Matcha class, with the menu varying by season

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Japanese cooking class & walking tour

Is this one for you?Book the Seasonal Sweets Class if you want the menu to match what's fresh and in season during your visit, or choose the Matcha Sweets Class if you're drawn to matcha-based desserts and have the afternoon free. The caffeine means it's best for adults. Either way, the small group size means the instructor can watch your technique and answer questions without anyone feeling crowded.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I take the sweets I make home with me?

You eat what you make during the class tasting with matcha tea. The recipes you receive are full instructions so you can recreate the sweets at home, but the ones you craft during the class stay there to enjoy fresh with the group.

What's the difference between the Seasonal Sweets Class and the Matcha Sweets Class?

The Seasonal Sweets Class menu changes with the time of year and is open to all ages from 6 up. The Matcha Sweets Class features matcha-based desserts and is designed for adults, since matcha contains high levels of caffeine. You choose one when you book, and everyone in that session makes the same three sweets together.

Do I need any cooking experience to join?

No experience is necessary. The instructor demonstrates each step clearly before you start, and you work through the techniques at your own pace. The class is designed for beginners as well as anyone curious about Japanese sweets.

Is the class taught in English?

Yes, the class is conducted entirely in English by a licensed guide-interpreter, so all participants can follow along easily regardless of their native language.

How do I get to the class location near Fushimi Inari?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The exact meeting point and directions will be provided when you book.

Can I book a private class for my group?

For a private group of more than five people, book a standard group class and send a message requesting a private session. The instructor can arrange that for you.