Private Tour
Private Kyoto Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class with Aki
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the local neighborhood street market (Demachiyanagi Shoutengai) with your host Aki and discover everything from basic Japanese ingredients to high-quality, regional produce. You'll walk through the market together and pick out a few vegetables and ingredients that you will later use in your cooking class.
Back home, you will join Aki for a hands-on cooking experience in her beautiful kitchen and learn to make authentic dishes from scratch! Aki will provide you with recipes in English and guide you through the cooking process as she tells you all you'd like to know about Japanese food and culture. Your home-style meal may include dishes such as the traditional Chikuzenni (a main of braised chicken and vegetables that originated from Kyushu), seasonal vegetable sides such as marinated spinach with sesame or burdock root, and miso soup. The cooking portion of your experience should last about an hour before you sit down to enjoy the meal.
Additional Info
Menu may vary depending on the season
If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Private, personalized experience
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private market tour and cooking class with your host Aki
Non-alcoholic beverages
Homecooked Japanese meal
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Explore with Aki the local neighborhood street market called Demachiyanagi Shoutengai and discover everything from basic Japanese foods ingredients to high-quality, regional produce. You will spend about 45 minutes walking through the market together and picking out a few vegetables and ingredients that you will later use in your authentic Japanese cooking class in Kyoto with Aki in her home kitchen. You will take the bus from the market to Aki's home for your cooking class. It takes about 10 min, her home is 4 bus stops away from the market. Join Aki for a hands-on cooking experience in her beautiful kitchen in Kyoto where you will discover how to make dishes that may not be served in restaurants as well as secret tips for familiar classics like miso soup. She will provide you with recipes in English and then guide you through the cooking process. Learn about Japanese food and culture as you cook with Aki. The cooking portion of your experience should last about an hour before you enjoy the meal you helped prepare together.
Sample Menu
starter
Miso soup
starter
Seasonal vegetable sides such as marinated spinach with sesame or burdock root
main
Chikuzenni
a main dish of braised chicken and vegetables that originated from Kyushu
dessert
A glass of tea
Options
Market, cooking and lunch
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Take this tour. Aki is a...
Daniel M,
Oct 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00Take this tour. Aki is a magnificent host. Learned about living in Kyoto, the market and Japanese cuisine. Considering our travels all over the world over the world, this experience was among the very best.
Amazing Day with Aki and Kyoto
johnchic,
Apr 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00This experience was a highlight of o our trip it was such a personal experience with these two lovely women. Shopping and being introduced to local foods in a local market. Cooking in a home and being taught about new ingredients and techniques was an amazing experience. This is a once in a lifetime experience. This is a must when visiting Kyoto and Japan. Thank you for the amazing experience. John, Erick, and Shawn
Don’t miss an incredible experience.
Rick J,
Sep 12, 2024
- Viator
5.00We have been on many experiences/tours and this was the best we have ever experienced. Aki was so easy to be around, was informative and well prepared. The cooking was fun, extremely well organized and was our best meal in Japan by a mile. If you can book this experience, do it.
Educational and Delicious
Marc H,
Oct 29, 2023
- Viator
5.00We are so happy we took a cooking class with Aki. It got us out of the touristy parts of Kyoto and we were able to experience an authentic Japanese market with the cutest shops and talk with the owners (with the help of Aki who spoke great English and Japanese.) I learned some great cooking tips and can’t wait to show off my new recipes back home with my friends and family.
Heartwarming cooking experience
Helena H,
Jun 23, 2023
- Viator
5.00This was one of the best experiences we had during our three month trip to Japan. Aki is lovely, heartwarming person and cooking with her in her beautiful home was an wholesome experience. Thank you for taking good care of us. Your warm presence is something our daughter still remembers ❤️
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