Private Tour
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the food and culture of Nara. Through her classes, Yuko aims to showcase the rich culinary traditions of Japan and the cultural beauty of Nara, inspiring her guests to carry these experiences with them long after their visit.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Private, personalized experience
Please advise any specific dietary requirements whether vegetarian, lactose-free, etc. [in the "Special Requirements" box] at the time of booking
While Yuko's English is conversational, her warm hospitality and hands-on approach to teaching ensure a delightful and engaging cooking experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Non-alcoholic beverages
Private cooking class and homecooked meal with your host Yuko
Step into Yuko's cozy home in a peaceful Nara neighborhood for a private, 2.5-hour immersive cooking and dining experience, where you'll learn to prepare traditional dishes unique to this historic region. Yuko, a passionate home cook welcomes you with warmth alongside her husband, Isao, ensuring you feel at ease—just like visiting an old friend. She will guide you through the art of making pressed sushi with seafood and vegetables (using persimmon leaves, a local favorite), crafting a flavorful bowl of Miwa somen noodle soup, and creating a delightful soybean flour dessert. To complete your experience, Yuko offers a cup of aromatic roasted green tea, perfectly complementing the flavors of Nara’s cuisine. During your hands-on Japanese cooking class, Yuko shares her passion for Nara’s culinary traditions, teaching techniques and stories behind each dish. After cooking, sit down with Yuko to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together, paired perfectly with the roasted green tea. After the class, you'll be provided with recipes so you can recreate these delicious dishes at home. This is more than a cooking class—it's an invitation to experience the heart and soul of Nara’s food culture.
1 review
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Alix S,
Apr 10, 2025
- Viator
We had so much fun with Yuko and learned so much! She welcomed us into her beautiful home, taught us about local cuisine, and led us in a completely interactive activity that culminated in a delicious lunch of local specialties that we had cooked together! We enjoyed the meal in a beautiful traditional Japanese room, decorated with, among other lovely objects, ikebana made by her husband. If you are daunted by the fact that her house is not in Nara proper, never fear: it’s just a few stops away by the convenient local train. This experience is totally worth the effort it takes to reach her house. Our menu: pressed sushi with various fillings, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, somen noodles in lovely dashi broth, egg roll (tamago), and a delicious dessert very like flan, but made with roasted soybean flour. Yuko speaks good English so you will understand her instructions quite easily if you are American. Yuko also made some wonderful recommendations for local attractions that we would not have discovered otherwise. She is a great ambassador for this region.
Operated by Traveling Spoon