Home Cooking Class in Yanaka, Tokyo: Learn Japanese Dishes

Cook Japanese dishes in a Yanaka home kitchen, then sit down to eat them

A private home cooking class in Yanaka, Tokyo, where you learn to prepare Japanese dishes from scratch (sushi, bento, teriyaki, okonomiyaki, gyoza, tonkatsu, tempura or udon) with instruction from Ms. Yajima, a local cook fluent in English. You choose one main dish or two appetizers, cook for two hours with fresh ingredients and kitchen tools provided, and eat the meal you've made. Special requests including allergies, vegetarian and vegan menus are available with advance notice.

The experience

What do you want to cook? Before you arrive at the small home kitchen in Yanaka, you pick your menu from a list that includes sushi (nigiri, rolled or ball-shaped), bento boxes, teriyaki fish or chicken, okonomiyaki, gyoza, tonkatsu, tempura, or udon made from scratch. Ms. Yajima, who was born in the Yanaka area and has taught cooking for years, will guide you through each step in English. The class runs two hours, and you work with fresh Japanese ingredients and all the tools you need.

The cooking itself is hands-on: you fillet fish if that's your choice, roll sushi, mix batter for okonomiyaki, fold gyoza, or knead udon dough. Miso soup made from scratch dashi comes with most menus. Ms. Yajima teaches the techniques used in Tokyo home cooking, not restaurant shortcuts, so you leave with recipes and methods you can actually use at home. The house sits about 100 meters from Yanaka Ginza, the narrow shopping street that runs through the neighborhood, so you can combine the class with a walk through the Yanesen area before or after.

When the cooking is done, you eat. Everything you've made goes on the table: the sushi, the soup, the sides, whatever you chose to prepare. This is the meal, and it's yours. If you have allergies, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or want to request a specific dish, let the instructor know when you book, and she'll arrange it. Some special menus may carry an additional fee.

What’s included

• Fresh Japanese ingredients and kitchen tools.
• instruction from a local English-speaking cook.
• the meal you prepare.
• miso soup made from scratch dashi (included with most menus).
• choice of one main dish or two appetizers from a menu that includes sushi, bento, teriyaki, okonomiyaki, gyoza, tonkatsu, tempura and udon.

Options for this experience

2 options

LunchGuide in English · 11:00 and 14:00

DinnerGuide in English · 16:30A three-course dinner: you'll make an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert for your special evening meal!

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

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 or 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

Stroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by YANESEN Tourist Information & Culture Center.

Is this one for you?Choose lunch or dinner depending on when you want to cook and eat. If you want to learn techniques you can use at home (filleting fish, rolling sushi, making dashi from scratch), rather than watch a demonstration, this hands-on class in a working kitchen is the format that teaches it. The two-hour window fits between other plans in Tokyo without eating a full day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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.

What if I have food allergies or follow a special diet?

Allergies, vegetarian, vegan and any other special requests are available. Tell Ms. Yajima about your needs when you make the reservation, and she will arrange the ingredients and menu accordingly. Some special requests may involve an additional fee.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No. Ms. Yajima teaches the basic preparation and techniques of home-style Japanese cooking in an easy way, using her own experience and knowledge. The class is designed for anyone who wants to learn, whether you've cooked Japanese food before or not.

What's included in the two-hour class?

The class includes fresh ingredients, all kitchen tools, instruction from Ms. Yajima in English, and the meal you cook. You choose either one main dish or two appetizers from the menu, prepare it together, and eat it at the end.

Can I request a specific dish if it's not on the standard menu?

Yes. Special menu requests are available: fill out the request form when you make your reservation. Ms. Yajima will confirm the menu with you up to two days before your class, and some requests may require an additional fee.

Where exactly is the cooking class held?

The class takes place in a small home in Yanaka, located about 100 meters from Yanaka Ginza, the local shopping street. The neighborhood is part of the Yanesen area, known for its traditional Tokyo atmosphere, and you can walk around before or after the class.

Is the instructor fluent in English?

Yes. Ms. Yajima, your instructor, speaks English and can explain techniques and answer questions throughout the class.