Private Tour

Japanese Cooking Class with Local Family in Takayama Old Town

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

If you're looking for authentic experience with local family, you will enjoy this experience! We are welcoming and fun family of 4, deep rooted in Hida Takayama. Not only will you learn how to cook Japanese foods, you will learn how local people live in this area and how to enjoy the life together.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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

We are a family from Takayama, and our roots run deep in the historic district of Kamisannomachi, where our family has lived for generations. We have a deep love for cooking and find joy in connecting with people through food. While we originally lived in Tokyo, working as a businessman and journalist, we decided to return to our childhood home to embrace a slower, more fulfilling life. Sharing authentic Japanese culture with visitors has now become our greatest passion. Our home is located on the main street of Old Town. This house, made of paper and wood, reflects the traditional architecture of the Hida region. Although it comes with its inconveniences, we choose to embrace these small discomforts, finding beauty and joy in the simple yet rich lifestyle that is unique to this area. Surrounded by the changing seasons and steeped in history, this house is our pride and joy. We hope to share its charm and the essence of Takayama with everyone who visits. In this experience, you will learn how to cook traditional Japanese Home Cooking with us. After a shot lectures of basic ingredients (dashi, soy souce etc), you will cook 3 dishes, miso soup and Japanese rice in authentic ways.

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

22 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Amazing personal experience
Kelly C,
Jun 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We cooked a full lunch and enjoyed a wonderful tour of Bob’s beautiful home in the middle of old town Takayama!
Real Japanese home cooking experience
Meline A,
May 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Being welcome into Hisa and Bob’s home to learn to cook was a wonderful experience. Not only do they teach you how to cook, but they also take the time to explain the ingredients (which I was lucky to get a lot of fresh local plants). Before you even start cooking they show you around their beautiful home with quite the history and the basis of Japanese cooking. I had very interesting conversation with both of them and they were extremely generous and suggesting restaurants and places to visit for the next area I visit. They are not professional cooks, and that’s what I loved about it. You learn to cook the way they cook at home. If you want a ruban bleu type of experience, this is not it, but if you want a real home cooking experience with two beautiful human beings, this is the place! I strongly recommend. Thank you Hisa and Bob!
Takayama Highlight
Tamara S,
Apr 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Tomoa and her father really made this cooking class one of my highlights of my japan trip! They were so lovely and beside the delicious cooking, they also taught me about the history of the area :) 10/10 - I will definitely come back!
Unforgettable Japanese cooking experience
Christian k,
Apr 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Our Japanese cooking class in Takayama was a real highlight of our Japan trip. We felt so welcome in the home of our hosts. The food was beautiful and tasted incredible! Our hosts showed us how to make everything from scratch: super fresh tofu, gorgeous sashimi, and melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu steak. Getting our hands dirty making perfect rice balls and learning the trick of how to make a Japanese omelette was great fun for all of us. And the fish we cooked from North Japan was delicious! Our hosts explained everything so well and were really enthusiastic about sharing their food. It felt more like hanging out and cooking with friends than a formal class. Eating everything we'd made together in their 200 year old home made it really special. This cooking class was more than just learning to cook – it was about meeting great people, experiencing real Japanese culture, and making memories we'll never forget. It was definitely our favourite thing we did in Japan, and we can't recommend it enough if you're ever in Takayama.
Great cooking experience with local family
Mark W,
Apr 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a great evening with Hisa and Bob. We were a group of 4 adults. Learning about their home in the middle of downtown Takayama was very interesting. Such a great way to get away from being a tourist and learn about the real Japan. And cooking the meal was a treat. They made it fun; everyone participated. And the food was delicious. And plentiful. I highly recommend this tour.