Private Tour
Unique Private Cooking Class with a Tokyo Local Emi
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a private and authentic Japanese cooking class in a local Tokyo home with your host Emi. The Harry Potter Museum in Tokyo is about a 20 min walk from Emi's apartment!
This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class takes place in her home kitchen where Emi will teach you 3-4 traditional Japanese dishes from her repertoire. After years of learning from three renowned chefs, she became a culinary expert who can prepare almost any authentic Japanese dish. A Tokyo native, passionate about Japanese cooking, Emi enjoys meeting travelers and sharing her culture and cuisine over a well seasoned Japanese meal served on beautiful tableware. Join Emi and make an authentic Japanese meal, enjoyed over sake, and finished off with dessert and a cup of hot green tea!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
If any travelers in your group have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking. Please message Emi directly after your booking is confirmed to discuss the menu - she is more than happy to customize menus for you. Please note if you are vegetarian Emi is happy to accommodate your request but note that the menu for the group may change accordingly
The Harry Potter Museum in Tokyo is about a 20 min walk from Emi's apartment! If you plan to visit the TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, the Oedo line brings you without transfer from Azabu-Juban station to Nerima
After your cooking class + meal experience, if you wish Emi can take you to a Japanese sweet shop or Japanese tea and pottery shop or supermarket before dropping you off at Nerima station, so please let her know in advance. Please choose one place.
This experience is not suitable for children of the age of 9 and under; children 10+ are charged the same as adults
Emi will choose a menu on your behalf if she does not hear back from you with your menu preference, 4 days before the experience begins
If it is a weekend and you are a group of 2-3 people, Emi hosts you at her home. If you are group of 4+ people and/or it is a weekday, Emi hosts you at her cooking studio.
For travelers with accessibility concerns, please note that there are approximately 10 steps leading to Emi's studio.
Groups of 4 or more must make reservations at least 2-3 months in advance, or we may have to turn away your request if we don't have a place available in the studio.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Sake
Private cooking class + meal with your host Emi
Green tea and barley tea
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What To Expect
Step into the world of Japanese cooking with a local expert! Join Emi for a private culinary journey exploring traditional flavors and cooking techniques in an intimate setting. Begin your experience with a refreshing cup of mugi-cha (barley tea) before diving into your hands-on cooking lesson. Choose any three dishes from her curated menu (note *okonomiyaki contains fish granule soup stock). To ensure a seamless experience, all guests will prepare the same main dish, so kindly share your choice at least 4 days in advance—or Emi will thoughtfully select a menu for you. Over 1.5–2 hours, enjoy engaging conversations about food and Japanese culture while Emi guides you through creating your meal. Then, sit down to savor the dishes you've prepared together over sake. Emi shares recipes so you can recreate these cherished flavors back home. Meeting Point: - For studio sessions, meet directly at the cooking studio. This is more than a cooking class—it’s an unforgettable cultural and culinary journey.
Sample Menu
main
Please choose any THREE dishes from the below choices.
starter
Miso soup
starter
Karaage | Japanese fried chicken
starter
Onigiri | Japanese rice balls with meat or fish
main
Ginger fried pork
main
Okonomiyaki (pork, pescatarian or vegetarian) - includes fish granule soup stock
main
Gyoza (shrimp, pork or vegetarian)
main
Fried salmon with hijiki seaweed and edamame
main
Tempura (shrimp and vegetables)
main
Yakisoba (pork, pescatarian or vegetarian)
Options
Cooking + dinner with Emi
Cooking + lunch with Emi
Reviews
128 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great family time!
Sherpa310432,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful family time at this cooking class! Emi was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and provided excellent guidance throughout the session. Every step was clearly explained, and we learned so many practical tips that will help us recreate the recipes easily at home. The food we prepared was absolutely delicious — fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and a fun, hands-on experience. I left feeling confident and inspired to cook these dishes again for my family and friends. Highly recommend this class to anyone who loves good food and wants to learn in a relaxed and enjoyable environment!
Great experience in a private cooking class
K6679DCannieh,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emi was a lovely cooking instructor. She showed us how to make okonomiyaki, tempura, and gyoza and shared the recipes with us. We loved being in a private class and getting to speak with her about Japanese culture as well.
Cooking with Emi
Guy K,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great experience to cook with Emi, we learned a lot about home cooking from her. I strongly suggest to take this class!
We had a great time with...
Deborah G,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time with Emi. We received the recipes for our selected dishes and met up in a kitchen studio. Emi was very kind and explained us what to do, step by step. The food was really good and we take some precious memories with us. Our selected recipes: Gyoza (Shrimp) Yakisoba (Vegetarian) Ginger fried pork
Excellent and fun experience!
helen a,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had fun cooking with Emi. She taught us how to make tempura, okonomiyaki and yakisoba noodles. She gave us some tips and the recipes. She was very interested in learning about us and our culture as well as sharing about Japan. We would highly recommend her cooking class.
Really nice experience
517doriss,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a really great time cooking and talking with Emi! We learned to cook some nice traditional dishes that we totally can and will do at home in the future. The cherry on top was the chatting with her - she was really friendly and gave us some japanes backround informations an tipps for our trip! We totally recommend the cooking course with Emi!
Great personalized experience
Kevin C,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a small intimate expletive that we shared with Emi which was perfect! We had good fun learning how to cook some Japanese home cuisine which we will definitely use for the future! :) Emi was a gracious host who looked after us really well!!
Great experience, great food!
Maps56336779684,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really loved our cooking experience. Emi sent us options in advance to choose from tailored to my pescatarian diet. On the day we had a lovely time and the food was delicious! Thank you Emi!
Emi is a great host,...
Norbert L,
Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Emi is a great host, talked a lot and learner a lot about Japan, cooking vise and more. I fully recommend!
Our cooking class with...
David P,
May 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our cooking class with Emi was such a special experience! We made some absolutely delicious Japanese dishes, and Emi guided us through each step with patience and care. She shared so many useful tips that we can’t wait to bring back home and try in our own kitchen. The whole experience felt super authentic and local—like cooking with a friend in her home. Emi was incredibly sweet, knowledgeable, and made us feel so welcome. Highly recommend this class if you’re looking for a meaningful, hands-on experience in Japan. :)
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