Private Tour

Private Japanese Cooking Class in Kyoto with a Local Chef, Midori

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

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‘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

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

Options

Cooking class and lunch

Cooking class and lunch with your host Midori.

Cooking class and dinner

Cooking class and dinner with your host Midori.

Reviews

5.00

14 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Midori A great chef and teacher of Japanese cooking
R3269YWdavidp,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Midori 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
5.00
We 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
5.00
The 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
5.00
If 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
5.00
We 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
5.00
My 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
5.00
Fantastic. 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
5.00
Really 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!).
Like Visiting Family
Amanda E,
Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was the most wonderful experience we had in Kyoto! Midori-San communicated with us after we booked and shared several options for what we could choose to cook. On the day of, from the moment we arrived at her charming studio we felt like we were family visiting a close relative. Midori was so welcoming and kind, and we ended up staying and chatting with her for a long while. She had fabulous recommendations for restaurants, shops, and experiences to make our trip perfect. She even spent a good deal of effort helping me track down my Japanese host family from high school. Not to mention the delicious cooking!!! We loved our evening with our new “Kyoto Mama” and would highly recommend as a must-do experience for anyone visiting Kyoto. ❤️
The morning spent with...
Mark H,
Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The morning spent with Midori in her home was very enjoyable and informative. I learned a great deal about Japanese cooking techniques and the use of different ingredients. Midori has good communication and teaching skills and together we prepared a delicious lunch. She has a good choice of menus catering for all dietary requirements. I highly recommend this experience.