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Host: Emi

Tokyo, Japan

USD
$76-$89 per person

Traditional Japanese cooking class with a local

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

Meet Emi

Emi is passionate about cooking traditional Japanese home-style dishes. After years of learning from three renowned chefs, she became a culinary expert who can prepare almost any authentic Japanese or Washoku dish. A Tokyo native, Emi enjoys meeting travelers and learning about other cultures. She adores food from every corner of the globe but is also passionate about Japanese cuisine and teas, in addition to cats, photography and hiking! She has a deep interest in nutrition science and values using the freshest, top quality ingredients. Your healthy and well-seasoned meal is guaranteed to be fresh and colorful, using more than 20 ingredients.

The Harry Potter Museum in Tokyo is about a 20 min walk from Emi's apartment! And if you plan to visit the TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, the Oedo line brings you without transfer from Azabu-Juban station to Nerima.

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: (2-6 guests) You will be served authentic Japanese food, characterized by the use of several vegetables, meat or fish as the main. Your meal may include mains from the list such as gyoza (potstickers), tempura, ginger fried pork, chicken karaage or slow cooked grilled fish, etc. You will end your meal with barley tea. Emi may not join you for the meal but you will get the chance to converse about food and culture as you cook. Emi offers sake as an optional alcohol add-on.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) 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. Depending on the day, Emi will host you either in her welcoming home or at her professional cooking studio.

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.

Please note that ramen is not included in this class, as its broth requires several hours to prepare.

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. Before you leave, Emi will share recipes so you can recreate these cherished flavors back home.

Meeting Point:
For experiences at Emi's home, meet at Nerima City Hall.
For studio sessions, meet directly at the cooking studio. This is more than a cooking class—it’s an unforgettable cultural and culinary journey.

Notes: 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 liquor store to buy sake or souvenirs 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 aged 9 and under. And on Sundays, only a cooking + dinner experience is available, starting at 4pm, instead of the usual 5pm.

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.

Languages spoken: Japanese, English

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.
  • Please choose THREE dishes from the below choices. Emi cannot do different mains for all, so the whole group needs to choose the same main dish. It will be served with barley tea and rice
  • Miso soup
  • Karaage (chicken)
  • Ginger fried pork
  • Okonomiyaki (pescatarian, or vegetarian or pork) - it includes fish granule soup stock
  • Gyoza (shrimps or vegetarian or pork)
  • Fried salmon with hijiki seaweed and edamame
  • Tempura (shrimps and vegetables)
  • Onigiri (meat or fish)

Traveler reviews

4.94 (32)
Our cooking class with Emi was an unforgettable experience. Emi was patient, knowledgeable, and we had lovely conversations with her while learning how to cook tempura, tonkatsu, and onigiri. I can’t wait to cook these at home to remember our lovely morning with Emi. Thank you so much for having us!
- Pola_T December 08, 2024
Thanks a lot, Emi! Cooking with you on my birthday in your cozy home was a lot of fun, educational, and of course, delicious. :) 100% recommended. Greetings from Germany and Venezuela!
- adolfo October 16, 2024
Emi was an excellent host and her recipes were delicious! Our favourite dish was the Onigiri. Emi was also helpful in directing us on how to best get to her place from our hotel in Asakusa. Highly recommend
- zoemas October 07, 2024
It was a really pleasant, fun afternoon that we had with Emi. She taught us how to cook Katsu, Tempura and Okonomiyaki. Apart from that, we learnt from Japan culture as well as tell her about ours. It was a very nice cultural exchange. We would recommend it to any Tokyo visitor. Buen provecho y muchas gracias.
- BackPackerz July 15, 2024
What a pleasent and tasty experience! Emi is a wonderful host and cooking teacher. We cooked the gyoza, okonomiyaki and the salmon from high quality ingredients with clear instructions. Totemo oishii!! Emi was also kind enough to pick us up from a local metro station as well as to walk us back and to a super market to buy some local ingredients. Highly recommended home cooking experience 😊
- H1809T January 28, 2024
It was a very good experience! Emi was very available and very pleasant. She welcomed us with tea. We cooked okonomiyaki, pork with ginger and a salad of raw vegetables with sesame. She even came with us to the supermarket to advise us on products. I highly recommend.
- Sophie November 01, 2023
Emi was wonderful. Humorous and kind and she put us at ease. We were very nervous, but she made us feel comfortable. The food was delicious! We made four dishes and they went so well together. It was very hands on, we didn’t just sit and watch Emi cook. This is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in Japan, and it was a gift to be able to take something home with us that we can make again and again.
- Julia_L October 07, 2023
Loved cooking dinner with Emi! The gyoza were delicious and really enjoyed hanging out with Emi for an evening. Can't wait to cook everything again at home. Would recommend booking for the start of your trip so you can use the etiquette tips she gives throughout and have plenty of time to pick up the ingredients you want to take home.
- Samantha October 04, 2023
Thanks to Emi so much for a wonderful experience! We learned how to cook Karaage, the best I have ever had, and all the ingredients so fresh. Emi spoke excellent English and easy to communicate. She was warm and welcoming in her home, and we chatted all throughout and learned a lot from her not about Japanese food and many more. She also came to meet us at the station to take her to her home, it was all arranged very well, and super smooth. Arigatou Gozaimasu!
- Jamie_P September 18, 2023
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class with Emi. She was warm, kind, and had excellent English. We learnt how to make tempura, udon, and a side dish with her (which were incredibly tasty). We really enjoyed talking about Japanese culture with Emi, and were able to learn a lot about Japanese cuisine from Emi. We highly enjoyed our class with Emi, and will definitely book in another class when we return to Japan. I highly recommend this class if you are looking for an authentic experience in Tokyo.
- sophiat September 10, 2023
It was an amazing experience. Learning the methods to cooking our particular dish along with learning the etiquette of having dinner in that particular setting is something that we honestly loved. Truly I recommend this cooking class. It’s something that you can look back at and be thankful for. Emi was also so patient with us as we were struggling to wrap the gyoza. We really appreciated that!
- Christina June 22, 2023
Emi was a fantastic teacher and host, with a well curated several hours of cooking, chatting and eating. We went with the udon with tempura dish - and it turned out delicious. She rounded out the meal with some sake and watermelon for dessert. As for Emi herself - she is warm and keen to teach us all about life in Tokyo. This was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip!
- W2681A June 10, 2023
The time with Emi was so nice. She picked us up from the train station and we walked the roughly 10 minutes to her apartment. We got there, and we started to cook the delicious karaage chicken with miso soup and a nice tomato sesame salad. We chatted about Japanese life, watched super cute dog videos on YouTube, and then she walked us through a nearby grocery store to show us ingredients and explain some nice Japanese snacks. It was overall a great experience in Japan, and I can only recommend it for everyone to try!
- NikkimU May 24, 2023
We had a great time at Emi's! Her English is very good and she not only teaches you about Japanese Cousine, but also a lot about Japanese culture and habits. It was a very interesting night with her and a great start to our Japan trip!
- rellal2019 May 20, 2023
We were picked up from the train station on time as agreed and after a short walk we arrived at Emi's. We had previously been asked what we would like to prepare as a main course and since we had no experience with Japanese cuisine, we decided on gyoza (a kind of dumpling) - the ingredients were ready and we and Emi first brought a salad with us Sesame was prepared, then a miso soup, the aforementioned gyoza (unfortunately ours didn't look as perfect as Emi's) and for dessert there was also fruit - we also got sake and it was so tasty that we had it too bought it myself the same evening. Emi offered to go to a supermarket with us - we gladly accepted. We talked a lot and had a fantastic evening - A very personal evening that we have never had before as part of a cooking course - Emi is super nice - THANK YOU very much and greetings from Katja and Bernd from Hamburg
- BerndKatja May 15, 2023
Excellent experience spending time with Emi and learning not only some Japanese cooking but also about local culture and people. A nice relaxing change from the hectic Tokyo scene.
- billi799 April 27, 2023
Recomendable 10000% Emi is an excellent hostess, she taught us in a friendly way and her company was very pleasant, it is an experience that allows you to see the real life of a Japanese that is definitely worth experiencing The food was very good, we left very satisfied with the visit :) She was interested in knowing where we came from and getting to know a little more about our culture and helped us understand a little more about hers.
- Ayeleen April 25, 2023
My boyfriend and I recently attended a cooking class with Emi and had an excellent time! Emi met us at a local subway station and walked us to her home which was extremely helpful since it gave us a break from navigating! A quick 10 min walk to her home and soon after we were cooking up a storm! Emi was very friendly and took the time to explain all the steps to the recipe and in general Japanese food/cooking/culture. After the meal, she was also kind enough to offer to take us to the local supermarket if we wanted and guide us to some of the ingredients we were interested in taking home with us. It was absolutely great grocery shopping with a local. She gave us so much knowledge and could provide insight into what was worth trying/buying. As a bonus, after the cooking experience, Emi also sent us the recipes of the meals we made and we've already recreated the meals at home! Though it wasn't quite as delicious as when we cooked with Emi! If you're looking for an authentic and delicious Japanese cooking experience, I highly recommend Emi!
- savvytree April 24, 2023
We met Emi at Nerima station, then she guided us to her apartment. We learned how to prepare tomato salad with sesame sauce, miso soup, and especially gyozas. Everything was very good. Emi is a pedagogue and patient, speaks very good English, and the recipes are simple enough to be reproduced at home. Also throughout the experience, we were able to chat with Emi about Japanese culture and cuisine. Emi also very kindly accompanied us to the supermarket to give us advice on Japanese products. (translated by Google)
- Quentine April 23, 2023
Marvelous. Emi is a sweetheart, with my partner we speak Spanish, we thought it would be a bit complicated for us since the class is in English. We used Google translate and Emi welcomed us happily, she used the translator too to communicate with us and even learned a few words in Spanish. The food was delicious, he very kindly taught us how to prepare it by making us participate in the preparation. I give it a 10000000/10. If you want to learn Japanese cooking, this is your moment, don't hesitate and go!! Greetings Emi, if we go to Tokyo again, without a doubt we will go again to cook more things, and we will prepare the Gyozas in Chile!
- ausura March 16, 2023
(Google translated) Marvelous. Emi is a sweetheart, with my partner we speak Spanish, we thought it would be a bit complicated for us since the class is in English. We used Google translate and Emi welcomed us happily, she used the translator too to communicate with us and even learned a few words in Spanish. The food was delicious, he very kindly taught us how to prepare it by making us participate in the preparation. I give it a 10000000/10. If you want to learn Japanese cooking, this is your moment, don't hesitate and go!! Greetings Emi, if we go to Tokyo again, without a doubt we will go again to cook more things, and we will prepare the Gyozas in Chile!
- ausura March 16, 2023
Emi was a great host! She made it fun for us by teaching us step by step and having us carry out her instructions. We made udon with tempura and it was delicious! I had a lot of questions about Japanese food etiquette that she answered with pleasure. If you're looking for a fun night to learn about Japanese food/ culture and eat some yummy food, you should totally book this cooking class :-)
- Laura H January 22, 2023
I was able to go with my brother and we had the best time. We cooked Yakisoba and Emi did a wonderful job of explaining the process and showing each step clearly. Emi is a very nice, patient, and helpful teacher who I would highly recommend for any cooking level or age!
- ThatJessica January 16, 2023
To begin with Emi was friendly with great communication and provided easy to find her instructions. She then escorted us to her beautiful and clean home. We made delicious gomai, rice, miso soup and the most delicately flavoured salmon! This is a menu that is absolutely reproducible at home which is a key element for us when attending classes! We had a little spare time so Emi kindly toured us around her local supermarket so we could pick up delicacies we wouldn’t otherwise have known about! It was wonderful chatting to Emi about culture and life in Japan, and we would highly recommend this class! Thanks Emi!
- FreudianTraveller November 01, 2019
We had a wonderful time with Emi during our stay in Tokyo ! The cooking part was great but it was nothing compared to the human experience we lived during these few hours chatting and laughing with Emi. We recommand it thousand times! Thanks again for having us!
- titesha971 May 01, 2019
The cooking class with Emi was lovely and such a treat to experience while in Tokyo. We learned all about Japanese food traditions as well as cultural insights, like why rice is always served on the left. We got to experience the intricate techniques of folding gyoza along with some delicious flavor combinations like toasted sesame spinach. Emi is very sweet, easy to talk to and is very informative! We really enjoyed our cooking experience with her.
- Erika S April 01, 2019
If you love Japanese food, you will love learning to cook it with Emi. My husband and I had a private class with her yesterday. We knew as soon as we met her we were in for a treat. Emi is a delightful woman. She welcomed us by making us green tea. We learned that Japanese food is all about the presentation,- how to make it look inviting. While we were preparing it, we talked about the ingredients and Japanese food in general. We also talked about Japanese caligraphy, culture and festivals. We learned about so much more than cooking. Having prepared and cooked the food, we sat down to eat a delicious lunch of miso soup, chicken and green onions with sesame flavoured spinach, and a sweet treat, finished with a glass of sake. We were surprised to find two and a half hours had flown by, while we were getting to know an interesting and very different side of Japan. It was a wonderful experience that we would highly recommend to everyone.
- 306Jess April 01, 2019
My partner and I enjoyed an excellent private cooking class with Emi and learnt some great Japanese home cooking recipes. If you enjoy cooking and Japanese food, this is a great class to take and you’ll bring home some skills to recreate the recipes.
- Lou April 01, 2019
This class was amazing. I attended with my partner. Emi was incredibly friendly and loved teaching us about Japanese culture and learning about Australian culture. Her English was very good which made her easy to understand. We made our own gyoza, and can not wait to make it at home.
- Alyssa M April 01, 2019
Spent the night cooking up gyoza, miso soup and spinach with crushed sesame seeds for dinner. She was knowledgeable about the dishes and the traditions around dining etiquette.
- Travelingbozo April 01, 2019
We had such an interesting evening with EMI! She is really nice and taught how to cook 4 dishes from scratch. She was really patient with us and answered every question we had about food and Japanese culture in general. The recipes are easy to reproduce at home as well, we are looking forward to try! We would definitely recommend Emi to anyone looking to experience Japanese home cooking with a Japanese native!
- Georgina P February 01, 2019
She explained in English the ingredients and we all got involved in diving, chopping, straining and Cooking Japanese Chicken Karaage, Daikon Soup and Sesame seed coated Spinach. Very lively experience and fun cooking with EMI-san.
- Oreo January 01, 2019
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Emi

$76-$89 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $89 $76
Alcohol
$5 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $89 $76
Alcohol
$5 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Emi

Emi is passionate about cooking traditional Japanese home-style dishes. After years of learning from three renowned chefs, she became a culinary expert who can prepare almost any authentic Japanese or Washoku dish. A Tokyo native, Emi enjoys meeting travelers and learning about other cultures. She adores food from every corner of the globe but is also passionate about Japanese cuisine and teas, in addition to cats, photography and hiking! She has a deep interest in nutrition science and values using the freshest, top quality ingredients. Your healthy and well-seasoned meal is guaranteed to be fresh and colorful, using more than 20 ingredients.

The Harry Potter Museum in Tokyo is about a 20 min walk from Emi's apartment! And if you plan to visit the TeamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, the Oedo line brings you without transfer from Azabu-Juban station to Nerima.

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: (2-6 guests) You will be served authentic Japanese food, characterized by the use of several vegetables, meat or fish as the main. Your meal may include mains from the list such as gyoza (potstickers), tempura, ginger fried pork, chicken karaage or slow cooked grilled fish, etc. You will end your meal with barley tea. Emi may not join you for the meal but you will get the chance to converse about food and culture as you cook. Emi offers sake as an optional alcohol add-on.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) 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. Depending on the day, Emi will host you either in her welcoming home or at her professional cooking studio.

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.

Please note that ramen is not included in this class, as its broth requires several hours to prepare.

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. Before you leave, Emi will share recipes so you can recreate these cherished flavors back home.

Meeting Point:
For experiences at Emi's home, meet at Nerima City Hall.
For studio sessions, meet directly at the cooking studio. This is more than a cooking class—it’s an unforgettable cultural and culinary journey.

Notes: 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 liquor store to buy sake or souvenirs 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 aged 9 and under. And on Sundays, only a cooking + dinner experience is available, starting at 4pm, instead of the usual 5pm.

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.

Languages spoken: Japanese, English

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.
  • Please choose THREE dishes from the below choices. Emi cannot do different mains for all, so the whole group needs to choose the same main dish. It will be served with barley tea and rice
  • Miso soup
  • Karaage (chicken)
  • Ginger fried pork
  • Okonomiyaki (pescatarian, or vegetarian or pork) - it includes fish granule soup stock
  • Gyoza (shrimps or vegetarian or pork)
  • Fried salmon with hijiki seaweed and edamame
  • Tempura (shrimps and vegetables)
  • Onigiri (meat or fish)

Traveler reviews

4.94 (32)
Our cooking class with Emi was an unforgettable experience. Emi was patient, knowledgeable, and we had lovely conversations with her while learning how to cook tempura, tonkatsu, and onigiri. I can’t wait to cook these at home to remember our lovely morning with Emi. Thank you so much for having us!
- Pola_T December 08, 2024
Thanks a lot, Emi! Cooking with you on my birthday in your cozy home was a lot of fun, educational, and of course, delicious. :) 100% recommended. Greetings from Germany and Venezuela!
- adolfo October 16, 2024
Emi was an excellent host and her recipes were delicious! Our favourite dish was the Onigiri. Emi was also helpful in directing us on how to best get to her place from our hotel in Asakusa. Highly recommend
- zoemas October 07, 2024
It was a really pleasant, fun afternoon that we had with Emi. She taught us how to cook Katsu, Tempura and Okonomiyaki. Apart from that, we learnt from Japan culture as well as tell her about ours. It was a very nice cultural exchange. We would recommend it to any Tokyo visitor. Buen provecho y muchas gracias.
- BackPackerz July 15, 2024
What a pleasent and tasty experience! Emi is a wonderful host and cooking teacher. We cooked the gyoza, okonomiyaki and the salmon from high quality ingredients with clear instructions. Totemo oishii!! Emi was also kind enough to pick us up from a local metro station as well as to walk us back and to a super market to buy some local ingredients. Highly recommended home cooking experience 😊
- H1809T January 28, 2024
It was a very good experience! Emi was very available and very pleasant. She welcomed us with tea. We cooked okonomiyaki, pork with ginger and a salad of raw vegetables with sesame. She even came with us to the supermarket to advise us on products. I highly recommend.
- Sophie November 01, 2023
Emi was wonderful. Humorous and kind and she put us at ease. We were very nervous, but she made us feel comfortable. The food was delicious! We made four dishes and they went so well together. It was very hands on, we didn’t just sit and watch Emi cook. This is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in Japan, and it was a gift to be able to take something home with us that we can make again and again.
- Julia_L October 07, 2023
Loved cooking dinner with Emi! The gyoza were delicious and really enjoyed hanging out with Emi for an evening. Can't wait to cook everything again at home. Would recommend booking for the start of your trip so you can use the etiquette tips she gives throughout and have plenty of time to pick up the ingredients you want to take home.
- Samantha October 04, 2023
Thanks to Emi so much for a wonderful experience! We learned how to cook Karaage, the best I have ever had, and all the ingredients so fresh. Emi spoke excellent English and easy to communicate. She was warm and welcoming in her home, and we chatted all throughout and learned a lot from her not about Japanese food and many more. She also came to meet us at the station to take her to her home, it was all arranged very well, and super smooth. Arigatou Gozaimasu!
- Jamie_P September 18, 2023
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class with Emi. She was warm, kind, and had excellent English. We learnt how to make tempura, udon, and a side dish with her (which were incredibly tasty). We really enjoyed talking about Japanese culture with Emi, and were able to learn a lot about Japanese cuisine from Emi. We highly enjoyed our class with Emi, and will definitely book in another class when we return to Japan. I highly recommend this class if you are looking for an authentic experience in Tokyo.
- sophiat September 10, 2023
It was an amazing experience. Learning the methods to cooking our particular dish along with learning the etiquette of having dinner in that particular setting is something that we honestly loved. Truly I recommend this cooking class. It’s something that you can look back at and be thankful for. Emi was also so patient with us as we were struggling to wrap the gyoza. We really appreciated that!
- Christina June 22, 2023
Emi was a fantastic teacher and host, with a well curated several hours of cooking, chatting and eating. We went with the udon with tempura dish - and it turned out delicious. She rounded out the meal with some sake and watermelon for dessert. As for Emi herself - she is warm and keen to teach us all about life in Tokyo. This was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip!
- W2681A June 10, 2023
The time with Emi was so nice. She picked us up from the train station and we walked the roughly 10 minutes to her apartment. We got there, and we started to cook the delicious karaage chicken with miso soup and a nice tomato sesame salad. We chatted about Japanese life, watched super cute dog videos on YouTube, and then she walked us through a nearby grocery store to show us ingredients and explain some nice Japanese snacks. It was overall a great experience in Japan, and I can only recommend it for everyone to try!
- NikkimU May 24, 2023
We had a great time at Emi's! Her English is very good and she not only teaches you about Japanese Cousine, but also a lot about Japanese culture and habits. It was a very interesting night with her and a great start to our Japan trip!
- rellal2019 May 20, 2023
We were picked up from the train station on time as agreed and after a short walk we arrived at Emi's. We had previously been asked what we would like to prepare as a main course and since we had no experience with Japanese cuisine, we decided on gyoza (a kind of dumpling) - the ingredients were ready and we and Emi first brought a salad with us Sesame was prepared, then a miso soup, the aforementioned gyoza (unfortunately ours didn't look as perfect as Emi's) and for dessert there was also fruit - we also got sake and it was so tasty that we had it too bought it myself the same evening. Emi offered to go to a supermarket with us - we gladly accepted. We talked a lot and had a fantastic evening - A very personal evening that we have never had before as part of a cooking course - Emi is super nice - THANK YOU very much and greetings from Katja and Bernd from Hamburg
- BerndKatja May 15, 2023
Excellent experience spending time with Emi and learning not only some Japanese cooking but also about local culture and people. A nice relaxing change from the hectic Tokyo scene.
- billi799 April 27, 2023
Recomendable 10000% Emi is an excellent hostess, she taught us in a friendly way and her company was very pleasant, it is an experience that allows you to see the real life of a Japanese that is definitely worth experiencing The food was very good, we left very satisfied with the visit :) She was interested in knowing where we came from and getting to know a little more about our culture and helped us understand a little more about hers.
- Ayeleen April 25, 2023
My boyfriend and I recently attended a cooking class with Emi and had an excellent time! Emi met us at a local subway station and walked us to her home which was extremely helpful since it gave us a break from navigating! A quick 10 min walk to her home and soon after we were cooking up a storm! Emi was very friendly and took the time to explain all the steps to the recipe and in general Japanese food/cooking/culture. After the meal, she was also kind enough to offer to take us to the local supermarket if we wanted and guide us to some of the ingredients we were interested in taking home with us. It was absolutely great grocery shopping with a local. She gave us so much knowledge and could provide insight into what was worth trying/buying. As a bonus, after the cooking experience, Emi also sent us the recipes of the meals we made and we've already recreated the meals at home! Though it wasn't quite as delicious as when we cooked with Emi! If you're looking for an authentic and delicious Japanese cooking experience, I highly recommend Emi!
- savvytree April 24, 2023
We met Emi at Nerima station, then she guided us to her apartment. We learned how to prepare tomato salad with sesame sauce, miso soup, and especially gyozas. Everything was very good. Emi is a pedagogue and patient, speaks very good English, and the recipes are simple enough to be reproduced at home. Also throughout the experience, we were able to chat with Emi about Japanese culture and cuisine. Emi also very kindly accompanied us to the supermarket to give us advice on Japanese products. (translated by Google)
- Quentine April 23, 2023
Marvelous. Emi is a sweetheart, with my partner we speak Spanish, we thought it would be a bit complicated for us since the class is in English. We used Google translate and Emi welcomed us happily, she used the translator too to communicate with us and even learned a few words in Spanish. The food was delicious, he very kindly taught us how to prepare it by making us participate in the preparation. I give it a 10000000/10. If you want to learn Japanese cooking, this is your moment, don't hesitate and go!! Greetings Emi, if we go to Tokyo again, without a doubt we will go again to cook more things, and we will prepare the Gyozas in Chile!
- ausura March 16, 2023
(Google translated) Marvelous. Emi is a sweetheart, with my partner we speak Spanish, we thought it would be a bit complicated for us since the class is in English. We used Google translate and Emi welcomed us happily, she used the translator too to communicate with us and even learned a few words in Spanish. The food was delicious, he very kindly taught us how to prepare it by making us participate in the preparation. I give it a 10000000/10. If you want to learn Japanese cooking, this is your moment, don't hesitate and go!! Greetings Emi, if we go to Tokyo again, without a doubt we will go again to cook more things, and we will prepare the Gyozas in Chile!
- ausura March 16, 2023
Emi was a great host! She made it fun for us by teaching us step by step and having us carry out her instructions. We made udon with tempura and it was delicious! I had a lot of questions about Japanese food etiquette that she answered with pleasure. If you're looking for a fun night to learn about Japanese food/ culture and eat some yummy food, you should totally book this cooking class :-)
- Laura H January 22, 2023
I was able to go with my brother and we had the best time. We cooked Yakisoba and Emi did a wonderful job of explaining the process and showing each step clearly. Emi is a very nice, patient, and helpful teacher who I would highly recommend for any cooking level or age!
- ThatJessica January 16, 2023
To begin with Emi was friendly with great communication and provided easy to find her instructions. She then escorted us to her beautiful and clean home. We made delicious gomai, rice, miso soup and the most delicately flavoured salmon! This is a menu that is absolutely reproducible at home which is a key element for us when attending classes! We had a little spare time so Emi kindly toured us around her local supermarket so we could pick up delicacies we wouldn’t otherwise have known about! It was wonderful chatting to Emi about culture and life in Japan, and we would highly recommend this class! Thanks Emi!
- FreudianTraveller November 01, 2019
We had a wonderful time with Emi during our stay in Tokyo ! The cooking part was great but it was nothing compared to the human experience we lived during these few hours chatting and laughing with Emi. We recommand it thousand times! Thanks again for having us!
- titesha971 May 01, 2019
The cooking class with Emi was lovely and such a treat to experience while in Tokyo. We learned all about Japanese food traditions as well as cultural insights, like why rice is always served on the left. We got to experience the intricate techniques of folding gyoza along with some delicious flavor combinations like toasted sesame spinach. Emi is very sweet, easy to talk to and is very informative! We really enjoyed our cooking experience with her.
- Erika S April 01, 2019
If you love Japanese food, you will love learning to cook it with Emi. My husband and I had a private class with her yesterday. We knew as soon as we met her we were in for a treat. Emi is a delightful woman. She welcomed us by making us green tea. We learned that Japanese food is all about the presentation,- how to make it look inviting. While we were preparing it, we talked about the ingredients and Japanese food in general. We also talked about Japanese caligraphy, culture and festivals. We learned about so much more than cooking. Having prepared and cooked the food, we sat down to eat a delicious lunch of miso soup, chicken and green onions with sesame flavoured spinach, and a sweet treat, finished with a glass of sake. We were surprised to find two and a half hours had flown by, while we were getting to know an interesting and very different side of Japan. It was a wonderful experience that we would highly recommend to everyone.
- 306Jess April 01, 2019
My partner and I enjoyed an excellent private cooking class with Emi and learnt some great Japanese home cooking recipes. If you enjoy cooking and Japanese food, this is a great class to take and you’ll bring home some skills to recreate the recipes.
- Lou April 01, 2019
This class was amazing. I attended with my partner. Emi was incredibly friendly and loved teaching us about Japanese culture and learning about Australian culture. Her English was very good which made her easy to understand. We made our own gyoza, and can not wait to make it at home.
- Alyssa M April 01, 2019
Spent the night cooking up gyoza, miso soup and spinach with crushed sesame seeds for dinner. She was knowledgeable about the dishes and the traditions around dining etiquette.
- Travelingbozo April 01, 2019
We had such an interesting evening with EMI! She is really nice and taught how to cook 4 dishes from scratch. She was really patient with us and answered every question we had about food and Japanese culture in general. The recipes are easy to reproduce at home as well, we are looking forward to try! We would definitely recommend Emi to anyone looking to experience Japanese home cooking with a Japanese native!
- Georgina P February 01, 2019
She explained in English the ingredients and we all got involved in diving, chopping, straining and Cooking Japanese Chicken Karaage, Daikon Soup and Sesame seed coated Spinach. Very lively experience and fun cooking with EMI-san.
- Oreo January 01, 2019
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Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $89 $76
Alcohol
$5 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $89 $76
Alcohol
$5 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
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 3% 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.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    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.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    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").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.