5 Private Cooking Classes in Kyoto to Build a Day Around

1.Private Kyoto Sushi Cooking Class & Tea Ceremony with Emika

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $109Our pick

Spend about three hours in Emika’s Kyoto home learning sushi or seasonal Obanzai cooking with local ingredients, including vegetables from her garden. Prepare a meal, enjoy matcha or one to two drinks, and finish with a tea ceremony. Add a market tour for a closer look at everyday Japanese ingredients.

“We used vegetables grown organically by Emika to make a side dish before jumping into making sushi, and miso soup. We chose nigori sake as our drink - we recommend it but other options were also available. Most importantly Emika’s teaching style was clear and helpful and she gave us tips on where to get supplies to make sushi at home.”

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2.Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $60Best value

At a renovated 120-year-old Kyomachiya near Nishi Honganji, you will make udon from flour, saltwater, and plenty of footwork. Tanaka and other local teachers guide you through kneading, resting, stretching, and cutting the noodles. Afterward, your udon is served with tempura and dipping broth. The private class starts at noon and is especially easy for families.

“It was so fun! Our teacher was so cute and made the cooking so fun! We even learnt the udon dance! We learnt a lot and the food was delicious.”

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3.Private Ramen or Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto with Chef Midori

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $169

Meet chef Midori at her private Kyoto cooking studio for tea, ingredient lessons, and hands-on Japanese cooking. Choose from five set menus, including ramen, gyoza, tonkatsu, sushi, vegetarian, and vegan options. You will cook for about 1.5 hours, then sit down with Midori to eat and discuss Kyoto food tips.

“Midori gave very specific advice on shopping related to our cooking wishes. We cooked two delicious meals with her. She was enthusiastic and experienced.”

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4.Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $70

At Yukari’s Japanese Home Cooking in Kyoto, you’ll learn the Buddhist tradition of Shojin-ryori from Yukari or Yuka. In a private, hands-on class, you’ll prepare seven vegan dishes, including miso-glazed eggplant, lotus-root kinpira, tofu salad, wheat-gluten fried chicken, and rice balls. The 2.5-hour class includes ingredients, tea or water, equipment, an apron, and recipes.

“My family and I had a great time learning how to make Shojin Ryori (vegan Buddhist cooking) with Yukari san. She kept my 11 year olds entertained and we enjoyed a delicious vegan meal we all had a hand in creating at the end of the lesson. Read more”

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5.Private Plant-Based Japanese Cooking Class – Kyoto Edition

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $98

Meet near Shijo Karasuma for a private, English-friendly Kyoto cooking class with ABC Sustainatable. You’ll prepare shojin ryouri using seasonal local vegetables, cook rice and miso soup from scratch, and make two kinds of yatsuhashi mochi. Eat what you make, then take home a bamboo lunchbox.

“Really good experience! Perfect activity to do with your friends! The staff are accommodating and friendly too. Will for sure spread the word about this”

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