Private Tour
Private Japanese Cooking Class in Kyoto with a Local Chef, Midori
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join Midori in her cooking studio for a traditional Japanese cooking lesson. You can choose one of the five set menus she offers. Midori teaches you Japanese dishes with simple and easy recipes that can be easily reproduced at home. You will watch Midori prepare local dishes using seasonal and traditional ingredients.
- Japanese cooking class in Kyoto with a local
- Learn to cook traditional Japanese dishes from scratch
- Discover Japanese ingredients and cooking styles
- Get insight into Kyoto's best restaurants and shopping recommendations
- A fun and relaxing, cultural and culinary experience
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal options are available, please advise at time of booking if required - our host can accommodate dietary restrictions if informed in advance.
Private, personalized experience
Please choose between 5 different set menu options and include it in the Special Requirements section of your booking
A cat resides in the home but remains upstairs during the class and does not enter the kitchen or dining area.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Midori has been teaching Japanese cooking for over 30 years and is a true expert in the art of Japanese cuisine. She warmly welcomes you into her cozy Kyoto cooking studio with a traditional cup of Japanese tea before introducing you to the essential ingredients that form the foundation of home-style Japanese cooking—soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso. Join Midori for an authentic and immersive cooking class where you’ll choose from one of her thoughtfully curated set menus, featuring simple yet delicious recipes that are easy to recreate at home. The experience blends hands-on cooking with live demonstrations, as Midori guides you through preparing seasonal dishes using time-honored techniques and traditional ingredients. The cooking session lasts about 1.5 hours, followed by a shared meal where you'll savor the dishes you helped create. During the meal, Midori will share her favorite local restaurant recommendations and insider tips on where to shop for food and souvenirs in Kyoto. This is a relaxed, intimate experience—like cooking with a friend—and is perfect for couples, families, or anyone curious about Japanese food culture.
Sample Menu
main
Menu 1: Teriyaki Chicken
(Teriyaki chicken or fried tofu steak, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
main
Menu 2: Okonomiyaki
(Japanese pancake, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
main
Menu 3: Takoyaki
(Octopus ball, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
main
Menu 4: Gyoza
(Pan fry dumplings, onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
main
Menu 5: Vegan or Vegetarian
(Choose one of the above menus which can be made vegetarian or vegan)
main
Menu 6: Pork Tonkatsu
(Pork or chicken cutlet), onigiri (rice ball), miso soup)
main
Menu 7: Ramen
(Vegan ramen, onigiri (rice ball), vegan gyoza)
dessert
Please select ONE from the menus
Please select ONE from the menus above when making a booking. All menus are served with welcome Japanese sweets, seasonal vegetables and tea
What‘s Included
Private cooking demonstration and meal with your host Midori N.
Local tips and recommendations about the best restaurants and shops in Kyoto!
All Fees and Taxes
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Cooking class and dinner
Cooking class and dinner with your host Midori.
Cooking class and lunch
Cooking class and lunch with your host Midori.
Reviews
16 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Midori is a wonderful...
Joyce M,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Midori is a wonderful teacher and enthusiastic about passing on her knowledge and expertise. She was interested in us and our interests and gave us tips for the places we were visiting in Japan.
A fun cooking experience
Anthony S,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Midori gave very specific advice on shopping related to our cooking wishes. We cooked two delicious meals with her. She was enthusiastic and experienced.
Midori A great chef and teacher of Japanese cooking
R3269YWdavidp,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Midori was an excellent host and extraordinary chef. She taught us how to cook Gyoza Pork rice bowl and miso soup. Her preparations were delicious. We highly recommend her to anyone who wants to know what great Japanese cooking is all about.
Six stars if that were possible.
G8173AFmichaelc,,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our cooking experience with Chef Midori. She made a beautiful meal with us, and above and beyond that she had many recommendations for restaurants and other activities. Regarding the cooking, her instructions were very clear. Regarding the recommendations, she continued to communicate with us when we had questions regarding the recommendations even after the cooking class throughout our stay in Kyoto. We would give her six stars if that were possible.
Midori and the cooking class unforgettable experience!
francescacR5618KS,,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The cooking class with Midori was fantastic! He welcomed us into his home, first with a bit of chat about our trip leaving us a thousand local tips, sharing restaurants to try and places to visit! After that we started preparing dinner with her, she explained the recipes step by step, including the types of ingredients to buy, the pots to use .. everything! After preparing the 3 dishes that we had chosen we sat at the table with her and had dinner together, between chatter and laughter it was a pleasant evening
Escape hoards of tourist and experience Kyoto differently
IE V,,Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you like Japanese food do this course! Midori San is a legend and ever so unique! She is kind, welcoming and funny. More than that, she treats you like a long lost friend the moment you walk through the door. Her class is very interactive and you will definitely improve. We made tonkatsu, miso soup and onigiri and will be making it again when we get home. She will give you a glimpse into local culture, cuisine but also choice of ingredients and great tips for making do with Western ingredients. She gave us some marvellous tips for local shops and food places and actually helped us find a Japanese knife. Even if you are no good in the kitchen, this will be a cultural experience for you and it ends with a tasty meal. Highly highly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience Kyoto in more depth.
WONDERFUL- MUST DO
D8227WLemilyt,,Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing cooking experience with Midori! She was incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful throughout the entire class. Her instructions were easy to follow, and the dishes we made turned out delicious! What made the experience even more special was Midori’s thoughtfulness—she went above and beyond by offering us tips and ideas for other things to see and do while in Kyoto. Her local insights were so helpful and really enriched our trip. This was truly one of the highlights of our time in Japan. Highly recommend!
Fun cooking class!
Alissa T,,Jun 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I are on our honeymoon and we both love to cook. We both enjoyed Mindori’s class. She answered all of our questions and even made recommendations on things to do in Kyoto and other cities. She also helped us with making dinner reservations. Her location is also easily accessible by train and she let us record the lessons for future use.
Fantastic Japanese cooking experience
Geoff C,,Apr 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic. Very nice lady and extremely friendly. Expert cooking advice. Food was great. Very helpful with other tourist information
Great way to learn Japanese cooking !
bernardhE1815JW,,Apr 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the cooking lesson with Midori-san, I chose Okonomiaki from the options offered, as this was something I had attempted at home from a recipe. The difference between following a recipe and being shown how to make it by an expert is incredible! I left feeling confident I could cook it again, and with a copy of the recipe with some handy substitution tips and feeling very full with delicious Okonomiaki ! She was also very helpful with many ideas about places to see around the area (I went onto the nearby railway museum after the lesson!).
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