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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Yoko

Osaka, Japan

USD
$130-$217 per person

Authentic Osaka Cooking Class in Yoko's Home

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Yoko

Yoko learned to cook from her mother when she was young and later joined a culinary institute in Osaka. She loves everything to do with food and a few years ago decided to follow her passion and teach Japanese cooking from her home. During the pandemic, Yoko had the chance to publish a cookbook in Dutch named "YOKO". It includes more than 50 Japanese home cooking recipes and a list of innovate food experiences in Japan, such as soy sauce brewery, miso brewery, knife shop and tea fields.

Yoko also helps her friend at his Kaiseki restaurant - she says it helps her stay up to date with the food industry in Japan, as well as learn new techniques. Yoko perfectly describes herself as a food loving, travel loving, people loving Osakan, who is passionate not only about Japanese food but also its rich history and culture.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) After you meet Yoko at the subway station, she will walk you to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets, giving you a small tour of her neighborhood. Yoko lives in a simple, clean apartment complex in the city near the Osaka Castle (a big tourist spot). As soon as you enter, Yoko will have slippers ready for you to wear (it is part of Japanese culture to remove your footwear before entering the house).

After you learn more about the local Japanese way of life, the food and culture, join Yoko for a meal that may include dishes such as rolled sushi or okonomiyaki (savory pancake) or gyoza as a main course and a few of her signature side dishes such as miso soup, pickled seaweed and cucumber, and veggies with tofu and sesame dressing. You will end your meal with a refreshing ice cream.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Before you get started with the cooking class, Yoko will introduce you to Japanese cooking techniques and the five different tastes. She will also show you key ingredients you will use throughout the cooking process like seaweed, dried fish, etc. You will then get to put on your aprons and roll up your sleeves to cook with Yoko!

Your Osaka cooking class will be both a cooking demonstration and a hands-on class, where Yoko will prep a few things before you get to participate in the cutting and cooking process. You will make 4 different dishes from scratch during your 1.5 hours cooking class in Osaka.

Yoko is a great teacher and will explain everything thoroughly throughout the entire process. Feel free to ask her more about Japanese cooking styles and don't leave without learning about her secret cooking tips!

Notes: Tea or water is already included in the menu. You can also choose a sake tasting set at an additional cost - please choose the alcohol add-on when creating your booking to opt for the sake tasting set (two kinds of sake in a small screw cap bottle). The menu can be customized as per your request, so don't forget to let Yoko know your preference while booking the experience. Yoko can also do a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free meal, on request.

Languages spoken: English, Chinese, Japanese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Rolled sushi or okonomiyaki or gyoza
  • Shira ae (tofu based vegetable salad)
  • Sunomono (pickled cucumber and seaweed)
  • Miso soup
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Cooking with Yoko was an amazing experience! She met us right at the Minami-Morimachi station and wore a Japanese kimono as this is what traditional Japanese wear for teaching classes and tea ceremonies. Yoko walked us to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets and gave us a small tour of her area. She was very welcoming and was a great tour guide explaining everything we saw and telling us stories. Yoko is well known in her area as many people greeted her as we walked by on the way to her apartment. She made us feel right at home and greeted us with a cute welcome sign on her door. She had hangers out for us for our jackets and charming aprons to wear. The cooking portion of the experience was very hands on and extremely informational. She taught us so much about traditional Japanese cooking techniques such as how to cut cucumbers into a snake (accordion) design, which looked way better than just a cut up cucumber. She also gave us lots of cooking tips as well including to always mix the miso into a small portion of broth before adding into the soup as it would lose all its flavor, it is easier to cut tofu in your hand (very carefully) since it is so soft, always crack an egg on a flat surface and so much more. One of the highlights of the cooking portion was making the Japanese omelet - one of the best omelets we have ever had! She was so accommodating and even purchased and used gluten free soy sauce as I had an allergy. We had such great conversations over our meal with her about Japan and life that we felt like we were just having a meal with an old friend. At the end of the experience she even walked us about 10 minutes to a local park and pointed us in the direction of the Osaka Castle which is where we were headed to after. She even gave us lots of tips on other places in Japan we would enjoy and wrote them all down for us. We left the entire experience with our bellies full, lots of new Japanese cooking techniques and feeling like we made a new friend. It was an amazing experience altogether!

Summer and Kaylis, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.92 (12)
Yoko is a wonderful person and we had a great experience. The food was as good as any restaurant and we had the experience of helping to prepare it and getting a recipe as well as having the experience to be able to prepare it again. It was a great evening and would highly recommend this experience.
- Vito October 28, 2025
Today we cooked delicious local dishes with her at Yoko's home in Osaka. Okonomiyaki, pickled seafood and cucumber, Shira-ae (veggies with tofu and sesame dressing), miso soup Afterwards, we strolled down the longest shopping street in Osaka, ate really good sushi and then ended the day with coffee and cake in the hotel garden. (Google Translate)
- rolandb April 18, 2024
"Lovely Yoko" Today we cooked delicious local dishes with Yoko at her home in Osaka: Okonomiyaki, pickled seafood and cucumber, Shira-ae (veggies with tofu and sesame dressing), miso soup. Then we strolled down Osaka's longest shopping street, ate really good sushi and then ended the day with coffee and cake in the hotel garden.
- Roland B April 17, 2024
A wonderful way to learn about japanese culture through a private cooking class! We spent a wonderful moment with Yoko! She is very nice and welcoming and made us feel very confortable at her home. The dishes were quite easy to do with their explanations and very good. We will definitely try to make them again at home. Plus, she gave us many tips (places to go for eating, shopping and visiting in Osaka and elsewhere in Japan). It was definitely one of our best experiences on Japan. Thank you so much!
- guillaumetG4403XP March 21, 2024
It was a great experiencia, having a private class, i got to choose what i wanted to learn. Yoko is very knowledgeable, and she shared great tips on how to adapt the recipies onces Im back home with more límites access to japanese products. Dinner time was also nice, she has travelled a lot and is very open and nice to chat with. Highly recomend
- Ana_P November 09, 2023
Read More

Yoko

$130-$217 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $217 $174 $130
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $217 $174 $130
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Yoko

Yoko learned to cook from her mother when she was young and later joined a culinary institute in Osaka. She loves everything to do with food and a few years ago decided to follow her passion and teach Japanese cooking from her home. During the pandemic, Yoko had the chance to publish a cookbook in Dutch named "YOKO". It includes more than 50 Japanese home cooking recipes and a list of innovate food experiences in Japan, such as soy sauce brewery, miso brewery, knife shop and tea fields.

Yoko also helps her friend at his Kaiseki restaurant - she says it helps her stay up to date with the food industry in Japan, as well as learn new techniques. Yoko perfectly describes herself as a food loving, travel loving, people loving Osakan, who is passionate not only about Japanese food but also its rich history and culture.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) After you meet Yoko at the subway station, she will walk you to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets, giving you a small tour of her neighborhood. Yoko lives in a simple, clean apartment complex in the city near the Osaka Castle (a big tourist spot). As soon as you enter, Yoko will have slippers ready for you to wear (it is part of Japanese culture to remove your footwear before entering the house).

After you learn more about the local Japanese way of life, the food and culture, join Yoko for a meal that may include dishes such as rolled sushi or okonomiyaki (savory pancake) or gyoza as a main course and a few of her signature side dishes such as miso soup, pickled seaweed and cucumber, and veggies with tofu and sesame dressing. You will end your meal with a refreshing ice cream.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Before you get started with the cooking class, Yoko will introduce you to Japanese cooking techniques and the five different tastes. She will also show you key ingredients you will use throughout the cooking process like seaweed, dried fish, etc. You will then get to put on your aprons and roll up your sleeves to cook with Yoko!

Your Osaka cooking class will be both a cooking demonstration and a hands-on class, where Yoko will prep a few things before you get to participate in the cutting and cooking process. You will make 4 different dishes from scratch during your 1.5 hours cooking class in Osaka.

Yoko is a great teacher and will explain everything thoroughly throughout the entire process. Feel free to ask her more about Japanese cooking styles and don't leave without learning about her secret cooking tips!

Notes: Tea or water is already included in the menu. You can also choose a sake tasting set at an additional cost - please choose the alcohol add-on when creating your booking to opt for the sake tasting set (two kinds of sake in a small screw cap bottle). The menu can be customized as per your request, so don't forget to let Yoko know your preference while booking the experience. Yoko can also do a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free meal, on request.

Languages spoken: English, Chinese, Japanese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Rolled sushi or okonomiyaki or gyoza
  • Shira ae (tofu based vegetable salad)
  • Sunomono (pickled cucumber and seaweed)
  • Miso soup
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Cooking with Yoko was an amazing experience! She met us right at the Minami-Morimachi station and wore a Japanese kimono as this is what traditional Japanese wear for teaching classes and tea ceremonies. Yoko walked us to her apartment through some of the local shopping streets and gave us a small tour of her area. She was very welcoming and was a great tour guide explaining everything we saw and telling us stories. Yoko is well known in her area as many people greeted her as we walked by on the way to her apartment. She made us feel right at home and greeted us with a cute welcome sign on her door. She had hangers out for us for our jackets and charming aprons to wear. The cooking portion of the experience was very hands on and extremely informational. She taught us so much about traditional Japanese cooking techniques such as how to cut cucumbers into a snake (accordion) design, which looked way better than just a cut up cucumber. She also gave us lots of cooking tips as well including to always mix the miso into a small portion of broth before adding into the soup as it would lose all its flavor, it is easier to cut tofu in your hand (very carefully) since it is so soft, always crack an egg on a flat surface and so much more. One of the highlights of the cooking portion was making the Japanese omelet - one of the best omelets we have ever had! She was so accommodating and even purchased and used gluten free soy sauce as I had an allergy. We had such great conversations over our meal with her about Japan and life that we felt like we were just having a meal with an old friend. At the end of the experience she even walked us about 10 minutes to a local park and pointed us in the direction of the Osaka Castle which is where we were headed to after. She even gave us lots of tips on other places in Japan we would enjoy and wrote them all down for us. We left the entire experience with our bellies full, lots of new Japanese cooking techniques and feeling like we made a new friend. It was an amazing experience altogether!

Summer and Kaylis, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.92 (12)
Yoko is a wonderful person and we had a great experience. The food was as good as any restaurant and we had the experience of helping to prepare it and getting a recipe as well as having the experience to be able to prepare it again. It was a great evening and would highly recommend this experience.
- Vito October 28, 2025
Today we cooked delicious local dishes with her at Yoko's home in Osaka. Okonomiyaki, pickled seafood and cucumber, Shira-ae (veggies with tofu and sesame dressing), miso soup Afterwards, we strolled down the longest shopping street in Osaka, ate really good sushi and then ended the day with coffee and cake in the hotel garden. (Google Translate)
- rolandb April 18, 2024
"Lovely Yoko" Today we cooked delicious local dishes with Yoko at her home in Osaka: Okonomiyaki, pickled seafood and cucumber, Shira-ae (veggies with tofu and sesame dressing), miso soup. Then we strolled down Osaka's longest shopping street, ate really good sushi and then ended the day with coffee and cake in the hotel garden.
- Roland B April 17, 2024
A wonderful way to learn about japanese culture through a private cooking class! We spent a wonderful moment with Yoko! She is very nice and welcoming and made us feel very confortable at her home. The dishes were quite easy to do with their explanations and very good. We will definitely try to make them again at home. Plus, she gave us many tips (places to go for eating, shopping and visiting in Osaka and elsewhere in Japan). It was definitely one of our best experiences on Japan. Thank you so much!
- guillaumetG4403XP March 21, 2024
It was a great experiencia, having a private class, i got to choose what i wanted to learn. Yoko is very knowledgeable, and she shared great tips on how to adapt the recipies onces Im back home with more límites access to japanese products. Dinner time was also nice, she has travelled a lot and is very open and nice to chat with. Highly recomend
- Ana_P November 09, 2023
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $217 $174 $130
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $217 $174 $130
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

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    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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