Tokyo Yanaka: Home Cooking Class & Bento Making with Local Host

Summary

Cook homestyle Japanese favorites in a real Yanaka kitchen

You’ll step inside a real Tokyo home in Yanaka and cook side-by-side with a local host—learning to make bento boxes, sushi rolls, or even okonomiyaki from scratch. Try your hand at filleting fish or frying karaage while sharing stories around the kitchen table. You’ll eat what you cook, surrounded by warmth and laughter—it’s an experience that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—soy sauce and something toasty, maybe sesame oil, drifting out from the little house tucked just off Yanaka Ginza. Shoes off at the door (I always fumble with that), and then there was Ms. Yajima, smiling like she’d been waiting for us all morning. Her kitchen was small but warm, sunlight catching on rows of miso jars and a battered fish knife that looked older than me. She handed us aprons and we got right into it—no fuss.

I picked the bento box menu because I’ve always wanted to know how those perfect rice balls actually stick together. Turns out, it’s all in the pressure—not too hard, not too soft. Ms. Yajima laughed when my first one came out lopsided (“good for character,” she said). We chopped vegetables for salad while she told stories about growing up in Yanaka—apparently everyone has their own secret karaage recipe here. The oil popped as we fried chicken, and the kitchen filled up with this savory-sweet smell that made me hungry before we’d even finished cooking.

The best part might’ve been learning to fillet fish—Ms. Yajima showed us how to feel for the bones with our fingertips, which is harder than it sounds when your hands are shaking a bit from nerves (or maybe just excitement). Lunch happened right at her table, everything we’d made packed into bright little compartments. Eating homemade sushi and rolled omelette in someone’s home felt different than any restaurant meal—I still think about that moment when everyone went quiet for a second, just tasting.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Yanaka home cooking experience

• Meet cooking instructor Ms Yajima
• Learn to fillet fish
• Cook Teriyaki fish or chicken
• Prepare Okonomiyaki Japanese pancake
• Make Japanese lunch box Bento
• Enjoy eating your cooked dishes

Top questions

Where does this cooking class take place?

The class is held in a private home near Yanaka Ginza in Tokyo's Yanesen area.

Who teaches the cooking class?

The host is Ms. Yajima, a local instructor born in Yanesen who teaches in English.

What dishes can I learn to cook?

You can choose from menus like homemade sushi, bento lunch box, teriyaki fish or chicken, okonomiyaki, gyoza dumplings, tonkatsu pork cutlet, udon noodles from scratch, tempura, or filleting fish Japanese style.

Is lunch included after cooking?

Yes, you eat everything you cook during the class as your lunch.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly menus can be arranged if requested during booking.

How close is it to public transportation?

The home is located about 100 meters from Yanaka Ginza and public transport options are nearby.

Can children join the cooking class?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed inside.

Do I need to bring anything for the class?

No need—fresh ingredients and all kitchen tools are provided by your host.

What’s included

Your day includes all fresh ingredients and use of kitchen tools needed for each recipe you choose. After hands-on cooking guided by Ms. Yajima in her Yanaka home near Tokyo’s Yanesen area, you’ll enjoy eating everything you’ve prepared together as lunch before heading back out to explore nearby streets.