Sapporo Private Japanese Cooking Class & Home Meal with Local Host

Summary

Cook homestyle Japanese dishes in Sapporo with a local guide

You’ll step into a real Sapporo home, cook side-by-side with your local host Sakura, learn to make classic Japanese dishes like chikuzenni and dashimaki tamago, then share stories over lunch and sake at her table — an experience you’ll carry home long after you leave Hokkaido.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be standing barefoot in Sakura’s kitchen, sleeves rolled up, trying to roll an omelet while she watched me with this gentle patience. Her apartment is tucked away just off Higashi-Sapporo station — the walk there was quiet, almost too quiet for someone used to city noise, but I liked it. Sakura greeted me at the door with a little bow and a laugh when I tried out my “konnichiwa.” The place smelled faintly of dashi and something sweet I couldn’t quite place.

We started with tea (she poured it so carefully), then got right into prepping chikuzenni — chicken and vegetables stewed in soy and mirin. Sakura explained how every family does it differently here in Sapporo, depending on what’s fresh at the market that week. She let me slice burdock root (I was slow) and showed me how to shape onigiri by hand. My first one looked more like a snowball than anything you’d see at a konbini, but she just smiled and said it had “character.”

The whole thing felt less like a class and more like hanging out in someone’s home — which I guess it was. We talked about Hokkaido winters and why her miso soup always tastes better than mine back home (she says it’s the water). Lunch was simple but honestly delicious, especially after all that chopping and stirring together. There was sake too — not much, just enough for a toast.

I still think about that moment when we sat down to eat what we’d made, sunlight coming through her window, everything quiet except for Sakura asking if I wanted seconds. If you’re looking for some polished chef demo or fancy studio setup, this isn’t that. But if you want to actually cook Japanese food in Sapporo with someone who lives here — well, you’ll probably remember it longer than any restaurant meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking Class with Sakura

• Meet host at apartment
• Welcome drink
• Hands-on cooking of 2-3 Japanese dishes
• Enjoy the meal together
• Freshly brewed tea

Top questions

How long does the Sapporo cooking class last?

The hands-on cooking part takes about 1–1.5 hours before sitting down to eat.

Where is Sakura’s apartment located?

It’s in a peaceful residential area within ten minutes’ walk from Higashi-Sapporo station.

What dishes will we cook during the class?

You may prepare miso soup, chikuzenni (chicken stew), dashimaki tamago (egg roll), and onigiri (rice balls). The menu can vary by season.

Is this cooking class suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s ideal for beginner cooks interested in learning home-style Japanese cuisine.

Are vegetarian options available?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking; mention any dietary needs when reserving.

Is this a professional cooking school?

No, this is an informal private experience inside Sakura’s own home kitchen.

Are children allowed in the class?

Yes, the experience is child-friendly and infants or small children can join with prams or strollers.

Does the price include drinks?

Your meal includes 1–2 glasses of local alcohol such as sake along with tea.

What’s included

Your day includes a private hands-on cooking class led by your host Sakura in her Sapporo apartment, all ingredients for preparing 2–3 authentic Japanese dishes together, plus a shared home-cooked meal with tea and 1–2 glasses of local alcohol before you head out again into the city.