Japanese Cooking Class in Tokyo: Learn to Cook at Home

You'll cook alongside the instructor, not watch from the side.

A hands-on Japanese cooking class in Tokyo's Todoroki neighborhood where you prepare a seasonal appetizer, a main dish of your choice, and matcha jelly under expert instruction. The class runs 2.5 hours and welcomes all skill levels. You'll shop for fresh ingredients at a local supermarket and walk through the quiet Setagaya valley before cooking. English, Spanish and Japanese instruction available. Minimum age 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cooking class and nature walk in Tokyo

• Walk through Setagaya valley
• Visit local supermarket for ingredients
• Attend 2-hour Japanese cooking class

The experience

What do you actually make in a cooking class? Here, you chop, stir and season the whole time: the instructor works beside you, not in front of you. The class starts with a quiet walk through the green valley of Setagaya, then moves to Casa de Tomokita, a 10-minute stroll away. Before cooking, you stop at a local supermarket to pick up the seasonings and ingredients you'll use, so you see exactly what goes into each dish and can buy the same things at home later.

The menu is yours to choose. Pick one main from eight options: ramen, gyoza, okonomiyaki, sushi roll, teriyaki salmon, karaage, curry rice, or vegan and vegetarian versions of several of these. Every class includes a seasonal healthy side dish to start and matcha jelly for dessert. The instructor uses homegrown vegetables and herbs, and the recipes are written to be simple enough to follow at home: no special skills required. Beginners and experienced cooks both work through the same class. The pace and the tips adjust to who is in the room. Book your main dish in advance (first come, first served) so it's ready when you arrive.

The class runs 2.5 hours total. Instruction is available in English, Spanish or Japanese, and you can request allergies and preferences after booking. Homemade plum wine and Japanese beer are included, along with bottled water and all the cooking equipment you need. The minimum age is 12.

What’s included

• Hands-on instruction from an expert cook.
• a seasonal appetizer, your choice of main dish, and matcha jelly dessert that you prepare.
• all cooking equipment and ingredients.
• a walk through the Setagaya valley.
• a stop at a local supermarket to shop for fresh seasonings and herbs.
• homemade plum wine and Japanese beer.
• bottled water.
• recipes you can take home.

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs Monday to Saturday with no fixed time, from JP¥ 18,800 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Japanese, in groups of up to 5 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayAnother day? ›

GroupUp to 51 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and JapaneseOther languages ›

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

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Public transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Casa de Tomokita Japanese Home Cooking Class

Is this one for you?The class asks for a morning or afternoon of your time and involves standing and repetitive hand work in the kitchen. If you're comfortable with that pace, you'll leave with dishes you can cook at home and the confidence to make them again without a recipe.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Japanese.

What main dishes can I choose from in the cooking class?

You pick one main from ramen, gyoza, okonomiyaki, sushi roll, teriyaki salmon, karaage, curry rice, or vegan and vegetarian versions of ramen and gyoza. Book your choice in advance so the instructor has the ingredients ready. Availability is first come, first served.

Do I need cooking experience to join the class?

No. The class welcomes all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced home cooks. The recipes are straightforward, and the instructor provides plenty of tips and tricks as you work.

What happens before the cooking class starts?

You begin with a walk through the lush green valley of Setagaya, which takes about 10 minutes to reach Casa de Tomokita. Then you stop at a local supermarket nearby to buy the fresh seasonings and ingredients you'll use in the class.

Can I take the recipes home and cook them again?

Yes. The recipes are designed to be simple and straightforward so you can recreate the dishes at home. You'll have seen and handled all the ingredients and techniques during the class.

What's included in the class besides the cooking and food?

The class includes all cooking equipment, bottled water, homemade plum wine, Japanese beer, and the appetizer, main, and dessert you prepare. You'll also walk through the Setagaya valley and visit the local supermarket as part of the experience.