Private Tour

Japanese Cooking Class with Local Family in Takayama Old Town

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

[PRIVATE TOUR] 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 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

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

Options