Join a fun, hands-on cultural experience this autumn to discover Kyoto through food and connect with local residents.
Cook authentic Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura, bentō, and traditional sweets alongside locals, all under the guidance of professional chefs. Once finished, share your meal over fun conversation with other participants.
Come for a taste of Kyoto’s flavors, and leave with memories made alongside new friends.
Offered food workshops
Each workshop will be held, respectively, on November 7, November 16, December 1 et December 15, 2026.
Venue for all of the experiences: Kyoto Food Culture Museum: Ajiwai-kan
Adresse: 3rd floor of Kyoto Seika Center, 130 Chudoji-Minami-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8813
Nigiri sushi making experience
Make nigiri sushi, thin sushi rolls (hosomaki) and try tasting and comparing different dashi stocks.
Date: November 7 (Sat), 2026
Temps: 6:30 PM–8:30 PM (reception starts at 6 PM)
Instructor: Kazutomo Kimura, the fourth-generation owner of Shimabara Otobun kaiseki restaurant
Fee: 3 000 yens
Tempura making experience
Fry tempura consisting of ingredients such as shrimp, vegetables, fish, and prepare clear soup and rice.
Date: November 16 (Mon), 2026
Temps: 11 AM–2 PM (reception starts at 10:30 AM)
Instructor: Terumune Ishikawa, the third-generation owner of Tenki, a tempura and Kyoto cuisine restaurant
Fee: 2,000 yen
Kyoto sweets making experience
Make high-grade and fresh traditional Japanese sweets known as jo-namagashi.
Date: December 1 (Tue), 2026
Temps: 3 PM–4:30 PM (reception starts at 2:30 PM)
Instructor: Seiji Yamana, the owner of Kyoto Kuriya, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop, and a board member of the Kyoto Wagashi Cooperative Association
Fee: 1 000 yens
Bentō making experience
Make a traditional bentō lunchbox featuring Kyoto vegetables, rolled omelet, octopus-shaped sausages, simmered vegetables, spinach with bonito flakes, miso soup and two-colored rice balls.
Date: December 15 (Tue), 2026
Temps: 11 AM–2 PM (reception starts at 10:30 AM)
Instructor: Mari Ito, the director of “Anata no Sumire Smile,” an obanzai Kyoto-style home cooking class, as well as a registered dietitian and professional cook
Fee: 1,500 yen
Reservation
Reservations for foreign visitors
*(Applicants using the above webpage are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis)
Reservations for Kyoto residents
*(Site available in Japanese only)
