Private Tour

Japanese Cooking Class with Local Family in Takayama Old Town

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

If you're seeking an authentic connection with a local family, this is for you! We are a warm, fun-loving family of four, deeply rooted in Takayama. Here, you won’t just learn to cook Japanese food—you’ll experience how locals live and savor life together.

Our 200-year-old wooden townhouse stands on Old Town’s main street, yet stepping inside feels like entering a quiet world where time slows down. Its small quirks remind us of its beauty and history.

We’ll welcome you with Japanese tea and snacks before guiding you in preparing a traditional meal in our kitchen. As we cook side by side, we’ll share stories of life in Takayama and living in harmony with nature and the seasons.

Hisa and Bob pour their hearts into every class. This is more than a cooking lesson—it’s a moment of connection, culture, and feeling at home far from home.

Feel free to write us your request on food or any restrictions, we are happy to accommodate as much as possible!

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

If you chose the slot of 4:30 PM

If you chose the slot of 10:00 AM

Coffee and/or Tea

Alcoholic Beverages

What To Expect

You’ll be welcomed into our private townhouse on the main street of Takayama’s Old Town, a historic home that has been in our family for generations. Normally closed to the public, this 200-year-old house was once a local clinic where many babies were born. We’ll guide you through its unique spaces—the former clinic and our traditional living quarters—while sharing stories about life in Takayama and how we embrace a slower, seasonal lifestyle in the Hida mountains. We’ll begin with Japanese tea and delicate wagashi (traditional sweets), followed by a short introduction to Japanese home cooking. Next, you’ll slip into a traditional apron and step into our semi-outdoor kitchen, a peaceful space where we prepare meals much like our ancestors did. Together we’ll make dashi, explore key ingredients, and cook five seasonal dishes tailored to your preferences. To finish, enjoy fresh seasonal fruit prepared in a uniquely Japanese style for dessert. This isn’t your average cooking class. It’s an intimate, heartwarming experience where you’ll connect with two old locals (both fluent in English!) and discover what it feels like to be welcomed into a real Japanese home far from the crowds.

Sample Menu

main

Hoba Sushi

[Pescatarian/Gruten-Free] Trout salmon sushi rapped with a magnolia leaf. Limited to the early summer June-July

main

Buri Teriyaki

Yellowtail (buri) cooked in a savory and sweet teriyaki sauce.

main

Dashimaki Tamago

a classic Japanese rolled omelette infused with dashi

starter

Sesami Spinach

Spichach with Sesami seasonings

starter

Miso Soup

[Vegan or Pescatarian] Miso Soup with seasonal ingredients + Japanese Broth, "Dashi"

starter

Dashi Soup

[Vegan or Pescatarian + Gluten-free]Soup without Miso, called "Sumashi Shiru" in Japanese with seasonal ingredient

Options

Japanese Cooking Class with Local Family in Takayama Old Town

Reviews

5.00

35 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A Perfect Day in Takayama!
Chris M,
Nov 3, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Fascinating to see the inside of Bob and Hisa’s 200 year old house right in the middle of the old part of town. Very friendly reception and then a very fun and informative cooking class. It was very hands-on. We made our own sushi and tempura all from scratch. Then Bob prepared the amazing Hida beef in a simple way that highlighted the rich delicious beef. He also showed us how to make miso soup from scratch. We then sat down in their beautiful dining room to eat the lunch we all made with a hot cup of tea and a cold beer! As an unexpected final touch, we learned how to write our names in Japanese characters and painted them onto Japanese paper fans. A really wonderful way to spend part of the day. And then when you’re done, you’re already in the middle of the old town, so you can walk around and explore and shop. It was a highlight of our trip to Japan!
Highly recommended experience!
michelvl4,
Oct 25, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Warm welcome. Great learning experience in a Japanese family environment. Highly recommended! Learned about ingredients and cooking techniques. In the end we had a delicious meal.
An Amazing Cooking Class Experience!
catherinesP8754HT,
Oct 23, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
We had the absolute best experience with Bob and his cooking class! It was a truly outstanding afternoon spent in his family home, where he made us feel so welcomed. We learned to cook so many authentic dishes (which we’ve already been trying again since we got home!), and Bob patiently answered all of our questions, from recipes and ingredients to culture and traditions. It was our honeymoon, and this class ended up being one of our favorite days of the entire trip. I can’t recommend this experience with Bob highly enough. If you’re considering it, do it, I hope you’ll love it just as much as we did! Thank you!
A Charming, Can’t-miss Experience
S7327JBbenjaminr,
Oct 15, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Spanning a trip that included adventures in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kobe, our lunch-making experience in Takayama was one of the brightest highlights. Hisa and Bob exuded a warmth and charm that made us feel like we were visiting long-distance relatives. The endearing hosts sought to both teach and learn in equal measure — eager to grow familiar with us and understand our own culture. The cooking portion was thorough and the dishes prepared were numerous (each one delicious, of course). We lost all track of time by the point we were receiving a Japanese calligraphy lesson, making crafts, and receiving a tour of their centuries-old home. This can’t-miss experience transcended the title of “cooking class.” We can’t recommend it enough!
A truely authentic experience
Justin O,
Oct 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was a unique chance to spend time with a welcoming and interesting family who took great care in showing us the steps and ingredients to a traditional meal in a historic Japanese home. Bob and Hisa are exceptional hosts. While we have eaten in wonderful places around the world, this experience will be the most memorable that will etch a place on your heart. Our children enjoyed learning from Bob and Hisa and agreed the experience was unforgettable. Thank you for having us in your home.
Amazing Experience in the Lovely Takayama!
Laura M,
Oct 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a wonderful cooking and cultural experience in Hisa and Bob’s home right in the heart of Takayama. It’s amazing to think that food has been prepared in this home by Hisa’s family for over 200 years. We made sushi rolls that were so tasty. I was at first intimidated by tempura but Hisa guided us through it with great ease. The Hida Waygu was melt-in-your-mouth perfect! What makes this experience unique to others is the intimacy of the setting. Hisa and Bob made us feel like special invited guests into their home. If you are visiting Takayama, definitely cook with Bob and Hisa!
The most brilliant experience in Takayama with such wonderful, welcoming hosts!
nattee123,
Oct 3, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an incredible time with Bob and Hisa (and friend who's name I have forgotten, sorry!). So lovely and welcoming into their beautiful home to cook an incredible meal (we did sushi, tempura and dashi broth, all accommodating my dietary requirements). Bob also grilled some fish - one of the best we have eaten, so delicate and flakey! Finishing off with delicious local fruit and ice cream and a special souvenir. We loved learning more about Takayama and Japan, as well as cooking, and had a really fun evening. The most memorable experience that we'll treasure for years to come. Thank you!
Japan Highlight
I310EZka,
Oct 1, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Our evening with Bob and Hisa was wonderful. The food was amazing and plentiful (we literally rolled back to our hotel!) and their warmth and hospitality made the evening so special. We would recommend this experience to all travellers looking for a fun and informative cultural experience. It was a highlight of our time in Japan. Thank you so much Bob and Hisa.
This experience is everything!
Kimberly F,
Sep 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00
If you want a truly authentic experience, this is it. We absolutely loved our experience with Bob and Hisa. They were so warm and welcoming in their home and we got to learn about not only the food, but the culture as well. The food they selected for the menu was fantastic. We had a local fish that was cooked in a soy sauce, mirin and sake base. It was really flavorful. Then we made some sushi. It was fun to learn how to roll it. We also made tempura which was a great, interactive activity. Tempura seems like one of those things that is intimidating to make at home, but now we are going to try it with our kids when we get back! Finally, we had that most incredible Hida beef that melted in your mouth. Bob and Hisa - Thank you and we wish you the best!!
An amazing cooking class in Takayama!
Debbie H,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00
What an experience. Bob and Hisa were fantastic hosts who allowed us into their home. We learnt so much about how to cook home style Japanese food and being a foodie/cook myself it was very insightful. Bob’s produce was fabulous and the dinner itself was delicious. We could not recommend this experience enough. If you go to Takayama you must do this cooking class.