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Host: Emika

Kyoto, Japan

USD
$56-$136 per person

Sushi or Obanzai cooking in Kyoto with a tea ceremony

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

Meet Emika

A Kyoto native and an avid traveler, Emika has a deep passion for food. She especially enjoys exploring the local cuisine of the regions she travels to and is eager to provide travelers with regional Kyoto cuisine in her home. Emika learned about the art of matcha from her father, a master of Sado (matcha tea ceremony) and loves to teach guests how to prepare the perfect cup of matcha green tea the traditional way. Her father may even lead the matcha demonstration when he is home. Emika's family owns an organic vegetable field where she harvests most of the vegetables that she uses in her cooking. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer variety of daikon radishes grown on their farm! Emika specializes in sushi making that she learned from professionals in the past, and Obanzai cooking, a traditional style of Japanese cuisine native to Kyoto in which at least half of its ingredients must be produced in Kyoto. Obanzai cooking heavily relies on seasonal vegetables and seafood. Emika's food therefore includes locally sourced ingredients, whether it's miso soup from her family's homemade miso or sushi prepared from the freshest fish procured from her local fishmonger. Emika loves to meet new people and share stories of life in Japan - she looks forward to making friends with guests from all over the world!

Born and raised in Kyoto, Emika is a wealth of knowledge with regards to all things related to her city. Feel free to ask her for her local recommendations, whether it's important sites, shops or about Kyoto's unique Obanzai food 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: (1-4 guests) Meet Emika at her home for a regional culinary experience that will start or end with a freshly made cup of traditional matcha green tea prepared by Emika or her father. You will sit down together around a dining table to share a traditional Obanzai meal over fun conversation. Your Japanese meal may include dishes such as miso soup, rice, traditional Obanzai dishes, and a sweet that goes well with matcha. 

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) During your Kyoto cooking class learn how to make sushi of your choice or a traditional main along with two Obanzai style vegetable dishes. Learn to prepare classic dishes, explore seasonal ingredients, and experience the flavors of Japan in a fun and engaging environment. All skill levels welcome! Emika grows her own organic vegetables that you will use in your Japanese cooking class in Kyoto. The cooking portion of your experience may last about an hour before you enjoy the meal you prepared together. Your meal ends with a tea ceremony.

Market visit: (1-4 guests) Please note this is a Japanese supermarket and produce store visit, not a Nishiki or open market tour. This is an authentic market tour because your host Emika takes you to where she and other locals typically shop for ingredients on a regular basis. After your meal, walk together for 10-minutes to the supermarket to get an understanding of Japanese ingredients and seasonings. Emika can help you purchase ingredients to take home so you can recreate your Japanese meal at home. Next, Emika will take you to a produce store that sells farm fresh vegetables so you can learn about local and seasonal Japanese produce. Your supermarket + produce store tour lasts about an hour. Please note that your private market tour happens "after" your cooking class and lunch, not before.

Notes: If you choose the paid transport option, Emika will pick you up from the Katsura station on the Hankyu Kyoto line NOT your hotel. Her home is a 5-10 minute drive from this station. If you are a group of 5, Emika can host you but it will be tight as Emika's kitchen is small.

Languages spoken: English, 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.
  • Choice of main: Sushi (nigiri or oshi), Okonomiyaki, Gyoza or Obanzai main (meat or fish)
  • Miso soup
  • Obanzai style vegetable side dishes
  • Japanese sweet
  • Japanese tea ceremony

Traveler reviews

4.83 (35)
My husband and I did a cooking class with Emika in her home in Kyoto. We had the best time making sushi, miso soup, a cucumber dish and a bitter melon dish. She grows all of her vegetables in a local garden and was very knowledgeable about the dishes. She also taught us how to make nigiri and explained all the fish we were eating. We also loved the matcha tea ceremony at the end. It was a really great experience and I would recommend it to everyone! She also gave us the sweetest origami box as a gift since I told her it was our honeymoon. Emika is the best!
- M8887F August 08, 2024
Emika provides a peaceful oasis in Kyoto to learn, cook, and enjoy. After temples, shrines, and summer heat in Kyoto, Emika provides a respite to learn home cooking. Emika gathers her own fresh vegetables in the morning from her garden. For our cooking experience, we chose gyoza accompanied by seasonal salads, miso soup (with extraordinary miso paste made by Emika’s uncle), finished with matcha tea ground by a family friend. We liked getting out into a Kyoto neighborhood and the very hands on cooking experience. We appreciated Emika’s attention-to-detail and friendly welcome. Highly recommended!
- Bature July 21, 2024
Our cooking class was the highlight of our trip to Kyoto! Emika was warm, kind, and an excellent chef. Being in her home gave an authentic experience unlike any “tourist activity”. Emika was wonderful in explaining the traditions of what we were preparing and most of the vegetables came from her own garden. This was a wonderful bonding experience for our family and I would recommend it to anyone. She reached out before hand to ask our options on what to make. The walk through the beautiful neighborhood to her home gave a glimpse into an authentic Kyoto lifestyle, away from the tourist atmosphere elsewhere. This is an absolute MUST for anyone with a genuine interest in local culture and food.
- jennifer June 03, 2024
We had a delightful dining experience with Emika. She served us multiple delicious courses of traditional Japanese cuisine and graciously invited us to participate in a small but charming tea ceremony. Emika's warm hospitality, culinary skills, and insightful explanations about Japanese culture made our experience truly memorable. Thank you for making our last evening in Kyoto so special Emika 😊
- Mimi_S May 27, 2024
Emika, the host, is very welcoming & funny, she grows &;cooks her own organic vegetables. She speaks English very well, we learned a lot about Japanese customs & habits
- 194sylvia March 11, 2024
Emika was such a gracious host! She made delicious food mostly grown from her own garden and shared her experiences and lifestyle as someone from Japan. She was quiet but super sweet and witty! A definite highlight of our trip!
- Susan_R December 05, 2023
The host was very organized, with printed instructions and ingredients at hand. We used the recipe/instruction sheet to take detailed notes for later use. The vegetables were fresh, with some even from the host’s personal garden. The host was friendly with a good command of english and conducted the experience at a unhurried, but timely pace. The matcha making after lunch was a treat!
- philkB21000 November 03, 2023
Emika was a great host teaching her cooking class. Not only did we learn how to cook delicious Japanese dishes but also recommended places to visit and eat from a local. Well worth it!!!
- loreenf6 November 01, 2023
Highly recommended! Emika is a wonderful host, takes her time explaining everything and answering all questions. This class will be one of my travel highlights in Japan
- W1249Z September 30, 2023
This has been the highlight of my trip to Kyoto. Emika was an amazing host. As good as the food was the company was even better. I would pay just to here her stories and to learn more about Kyoto. I have a birthday coming up and she even had a gift for me. Next time I am back in Kyoto I will do this again and Emika if you see this maybe we can take a walk. Thank you for the amazing memory.
- Tod H September 20, 2023
Absolutely amazing experience! The hostess was not only great cook but a very interesting story teller. We made 5 course dinner and learnt about culture and Kyoto culinary history.
- Svitlana September 06, 2023
I really enjoed the cooking class with Emika, i would recommend her as a source of knowledge about Kyoto and local cuisine
- Kondrato September 04, 2023
A fantastic evening with Emika - she was very welcoming and friendly. Her place was easy to find and on arrival we were welcomed with a drink. We cooked a variety of obanzai food - we had booked to do okonomyaki and requested some obanzai food. Emika really tailored the lesson to us - she even taught us how to make an additional dish as we were chatting about miso! She also answered all our questions and was really easy to talk to. I would highly recommend this experience - we made okonomyaki, a cucumber dish, carrot and tuna, and an aubergine pork miso dish (as well as miso soup and a tea ceremony at the end!). AND she then gave us a brilliant restaurant recommendation for our next night which we loved! We have made the food several times since returning to Scotland! Thank you for having us in your lovely home Emika!
- Q3993J August 20, 2023
Emika is very welcoming and explains very well how to prepare the menu that we agreed previously. We managed to learn how to prepare a Japanese lunch in 1hr30! Fantastic!
- delphine August 07, 2023
I had a really delicious homemade Japanese lunch. Emika prepared and cooked traditionally in front of me, from seasonal foods to tea ceremony. I suggest everyone to have this experience cause I asked and learnt a lots of new aspects of Japanese culture. Thank you Emika!
- Francesca May 16, 2023
I had a really delicious homemade Japanese lunch. Emika prepared and cooked traditionally in front of me, from seasonal foods to tea ceremony. I suggest everyone to have this experience cause I asked and learnt a lots of new aspects of Japanese culture. Thank you Emika!
- Frances May 16, 2023
My partner and I really enjoyed this experience. Learned to make a great variety of foods including gyoza with ingredients freshly picked from Asmi’s garden. It was a bonus that Asmi is also fluent in English
- Chris S May 07, 2023
Emika was engaging and organized and gave us detailed instructions on how to prepare all the lovely dishes we made that she had in a prior email planned with our input. We made Okonomiyaki, gyoza, Japanese spinach (from her garden) with Swiss chard in mentsuyu and miso soup. We finished the meal with a lovely tea ceremony. It was a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
- Sudarika April 28, 2023
It was a very interesting afternoon, where we learned a lot about the local culture and We cook delicious food! A great experience to learn about the culture local (translated by Google)
- 23Maiak April 17, 2023
Clear instructions and wonderful food. Emika is a natural teacher and easy to understand. Loved every minute 👍 we will be back 🍣
- Annie M April 15, 2023
This was one of the most delicious meals we’ve had on our trip. It was a pleasure to meet Emika and be invited into her home. The food she showed is how to prepare was so fresh, picked from her garden or prepared with her own hands. She took the time to explain what we were doing and was very patient showing us each step. Not only was the food delicious, it was a wonderful way to learn about some Japanese traditions and ingredients. I would highly recommend this experience!
- Q7123I April 12, 2023
Great few hours with Emika who was a warm and welcoming host. There was not much cooking required as we made two vegetable side dishes (her home grown vegetables!) and some sushi but was all delicious along with some miso soup. Emika is a qualified architect with great English and we really enjoyed our time with her.
- Katie26 April 03, 2023
Being able to ask questions and learn cooking in such an intimate setting Dietary requirements we're applied just for us.
- Mia_M March 29, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Emika! She is a gracious and kind host. Her homemade meals were delicious. We especially enjoyed experiencing the traditional tea ceremony after our meal. We highly recommend this opportunity!
- Richard March 28, 2023
We had a wonderful time making sushi and other Japanese dishes. We had our 11 year old granddaughter with us, and our host showed such patience and kindness. The food was all high quality and came out looking great!
- sidtobi March 28, 2023
Emika is a wonderful host and teacher who patiently and expertly taught us how to make several delicious Japanese dishes: Okonomiyaki, Negiyaki, Gyoza, stir-fried broccolini, and matcha tea. She is a lot of fun and speaks English very well -- you will really enjoy this class! This is a real Japanese experience you won't forget.
- AmyL48 March 19, 2023
It was a great experience to learn how to make some sushi and other related dishes. Emika was very kind and knew how to involve the kids. It was very cool to walk through her neighborhood and learn at her home for a more authentic experience in a private setting.
- Suneer March 12, 2023
It was a great experience to learn how to make some sushi and other related dishes. Emika was very kind and knew how to involve the kids. It was very cool to walk through her neighborhood and learn at her home for a more authentic experience in a private setting.
- Suneer March 12, 2023
Nice experience, Emika was a nice host; the sushi were good and thanks to her we now know how to make them. The location is a bit difficult to find and a little “impersonal”
- Schayben December 30, 2019
We spent about 3 hours at the home of our host and teacher, Emika, preparing several Japanese dishes. Emika was charming, knowledgable and welcoming! She had shopped and prepared thoughtfully in advance so that we could focus on learning techniques and enjoying the delicious results. We started with refreshing and tasty home-made iced red shiso tea while Emika explained the main dishes. We practiced cutting techniques, prepared sushi rice, and made miso soup using Emika's uncle's home-prepared barley miso. Under her patient and encouraging guidance, we assembled nigiri sushi with fresh fish, pickled red pepper, tofu skin (Inari) and egg omelet (tamago) as we sipped on sake. We finished by preparing smooth and delicate matcha tea while learning a little about tea ceremonies, which Emika had learned from her father.
- Omid R October 09, 2019
We had a enjoyable 2+ hours session in Emika’s own kitchen making lots of sushi, miso soup and 2 vegetables side dishes. Simple and easy to follow as emika’s English is quite good. Ended with a matcha tea ceremony. Location is not easy to find but worth the trip, especially at the end when we ate up all our “Masterchef” creations!
- smc41 October 02, 2019
Highly recommended! The overall experience was great, Emika is a great chef and can tell you all about Japanase food ánd culture. We made sushi as well as side dishes, I had a beer and my boyfriend sake and at the end of our lovely evening Emika taught us all about Japanese tea ceremonies. It's a nice way to learn more about life in Japan, oh, and I almost forgot to mention: the fish was sooooo fresh and tasty! ❤
- Laura_uit_Eindhoven August 26, 2019
Wonderful authentic experience. My husband and I visited Japan for the first time and wanted an authentic experience and to meet as many locals as possible. Emika greeted us in her lovely home and we had a good chat - we took the opportunity to ask her many questions about the Japanese history, lifestyle and her personal journey. She taught us how to make sushi and a few other local dishes as well as her specialty dishes. We ate over beer and sake and rounded off the dinner with a tea ceremony. Before we left, Emika gave me a beautiful homemade origami as a birthday present, which was the sweetest gesture! Highly recommended.
- Agata R January 04, 2019
I spent a memorable evening with Emika in her home where she took me through some of the basics of obanzai (Kyoto home-style) cooking. Everything was delicious and easy to follow. I'm really happy I took this class! :)
- Connector25181815936 November 11, 2018
I visited Emika's home with my wife, sister, and brother-in-law. My wife and I are pescatarian and Emika was quick to communicate with us before our booking to make sure our dietary needs would be accommodated. She and her mother welcomed us into their home and all four of us had a really excellent evening. She was able to answer a lot our questions about Kyoto and Japanese culture and we couldn't have been happier that we got to share in this experience. I would definitely recommend this experience to anybody looking for a really nice evening and a great food experience!
- Spencer S October 05, 2018
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Emika

$56-$136 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
In-Home Meal
$56 $56 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
$86 $86 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$136 $136 Not offered
Alcohol
$8 per person
Transportation
$20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$56 $56 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
$86 $86 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$136 $136 Not offered
Alcohol
$8 per person
Transportation
$20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
11:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
11:30am-3:30pm

Meet Emika

A Kyoto native and an avid traveler, Emika has a deep passion for food. She especially enjoys exploring the local cuisine of the regions she travels to and is eager to provide travelers with regional Kyoto cuisine in her home. Emika learned about the art of matcha from her father, a master of Sado (matcha tea ceremony) and loves to teach guests how to prepare the perfect cup of matcha green tea the traditional way. Her father may even lead the matcha demonstration when he is home. Emika's family owns an organic vegetable field where she harvests most of the vegetables that she uses in her cooking. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer variety of daikon radishes grown on their farm! Emika specializes in sushi making that she learned from professionals in the past, and Obanzai cooking, a traditional style of Japanese cuisine native to Kyoto in which at least half of its ingredients must be produced in Kyoto. Obanzai cooking heavily relies on seasonal vegetables and seafood. Emika's food therefore includes locally sourced ingredients, whether it's miso soup from her family's homemade miso or sushi prepared from the freshest fish procured from her local fishmonger. Emika loves to meet new people and share stories of life in Japan - she looks forward to making friends with guests from all over the world!

Born and raised in Kyoto, Emika is a wealth of knowledge with regards to all things related to her city. Feel free to ask her for her local recommendations, whether it's important sites, shops or about Kyoto's unique Obanzai food 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: (1-4 guests) Meet Emika at her home for a regional culinary experience that will start or end with a freshly made cup of traditional matcha green tea prepared by Emika or her father. You will sit down together around a dining table to share a traditional Obanzai meal over fun conversation. Your Japanese meal may include dishes such as miso soup, rice, traditional Obanzai dishes, and a sweet that goes well with matcha. 

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) During your Kyoto cooking class learn how to make sushi of your choice or a traditional main along with two Obanzai style vegetable dishes. Learn to prepare classic dishes, explore seasonal ingredients, and experience the flavors of Japan in a fun and engaging environment. All skill levels welcome! Emika grows her own organic vegetables that you will use in your Japanese cooking class in Kyoto. The cooking portion of your experience may last about an hour before you enjoy the meal you prepared together. Your meal ends with a tea ceremony.

Market visit: (1-4 guests) Please note this is a Japanese supermarket and produce store visit, not a Nishiki or open market tour. This is an authentic market tour because your host Emika takes you to where she and other locals typically shop for ingredients on a regular basis. After your meal, walk together for 10-minutes to the supermarket to get an understanding of Japanese ingredients and seasonings. Emika can help you purchase ingredients to take home so you can recreate your Japanese meal at home. Next, Emika will take you to a produce store that sells farm fresh vegetables so you can learn about local and seasonal Japanese produce. Your supermarket + produce store tour lasts about an hour. Please note that your private market tour happens "after" your cooking class and lunch, not before.

Notes: If you choose the paid transport option, Emika will pick you up from the Katsura station on the Hankyu Kyoto line NOT your hotel. Her home is a 5-10 minute drive from this station. If you are a group of 5, Emika can host you but it will be tight as Emika's kitchen is small.

Languages spoken: English, 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.
  • Choice of main: Sushi (nigiri or oshi), Okonomiyaki, Gyoza or Obanzai main (meat or fish)
  • Miso soup
  • Obanzai style vegetable side dishes
  • Japanese sweet
  • Japanese tea ceremony

Traveler reviews

4.83 (35)
My husband and I did a cooking class with Emika in her home in Kyoto. We had the best time making sushi, miso soup, a cucumber dish and a bitter melon dish. She grows all of her vegetables in a local garden and was very knowledgeable about the dishes. She also taught us how to make nigiri and explained all the fish we were eating. We also loved the matcha tea ceremony at the end. It was a really great experience and I would recommend it to everyone! She also gave us the sweetest origami box as a gift since I told her it was our honeymoon. Emika is the best!
- M8887F August 08, 2024
Emika provides a peaceful oasis in Kyoto to learn, cook, and enjoy. After temples, shrines, and summer heat in Kyoto, Emika provides a respite to learn home cooking. Emika gathers her own fresh vegetables in the morning from her garden. For our cooking experience, we chose gyoza accompanied by seasonal salads, miso soup (with extraordinary miso paste made by Emika’s uncle), finished with matcha tea ground by a family friend. We liked getting out into a Kyoto neighborhood and the very hands on cooking experience. We appreciated Emika’s attention-to-detail and friendly welcome. Highly recommended!
- Bature July 21, 2024
Our cooking class was the highlight of our trip to Kyoto! Emika was warm, kind, and an excellent chef. Being in her home gave an authentic experience unlike any “tourist activity”. Emika was wonderful in explaining the traditions of what we were preparing and most of the vegetables came from her own garden. This was a wonderful bonding experience for our family and I would recommend it to anyone. She reached out before hand to ask our options on what to make. The walk through the beautiful neighborhood to her home gave a glimpse into an authentic Kyoto lifestyle, away from the tourist atmosphere elsewhere. This is an absolute MUST for anyone with a genuine interest in local culture and food.
- jennifer June 03, 2024
We had a delightful dining experience with Emika. She served us multiple delicious courses of traditional Japanese cuisine and graciously invited us to participate in a small but charming tea ceremony. Emika's warm hospitality, culinary skills, and insightful explanations about Japanese culture made our experience truly memorable. Thank you for making our last evening in Kyoto so special Emika 😊
- Mimi_S May 27, 2024
Emika, the host, is very welcoming & funny, she grows &;cooks her own organic vegetables. She speaks English very well, we learned a lot about Japanese customs & habits
- 194sylvia March 11, 2024
Emika was such a gracious host! She made delicious food mostly grown from her own garden and shared her experiences and lifestyle as someone from Japan. She was quiet but super sweet and witty! A definite highlight of our trip!
- Susan_R December 05, 2023
The host was very organized, with printed instructions and ingredients at hand. We used the recipe/instruction sheet to take detailed notes for later use. The vegetables were fresh, with some even from the host’s personal garden. The host was friendly with a good command of english and conducted the experience at a unhurried, but timely pace. The matcha making after lunch was a treat!
- philkB21000 November 03, 2023
Emika was a great host teaching her cooking class. Not only did we learn how to cook delicious Japanese dishes but also recommended places to visit and eat from a local. Well worth it!!!
- loreenf6 November 01, 2023
Highly recommended! Emika is a wonderful host, takes her time explaining everything and answering all questions. This class will be one of my travel highlights in Japan
- W1249Z September 30, 2023
This has been the highlight of my trip to Kyoto. Emika was an amazing host. As good as the food was the company was even better. I would pay just to here her stories and to learn more about Kyoto. I have a birthday coming up and she even had a gift for me. Next time I am back in Kyoto I will do this again and Emika if you see this maybe we can take a walk. Thank you for the amazing memory.
- Tod H September 20, 2023
Absolutely amazing experience! The hostess was not only great cook but a very interesting story teller. We made 5 course dinner and learnt about culture and Kyoto culinary history.
- Svitlana September 06, 2023
I really enjoed the cooking class with Emika, i would recommend her as a source of knowledge about Kyoto and local cuisine
- Kondrato September 04, 2023
A fantastic evening with Emika - she was very welcoming and friendly. Her place was easy to find and on arrival we were welcomed with a drink. We cooked a variety of obanzai food - we had booked to do okonomyaki and requested some obanzai food. Emika really tailored the lesson to us - she even taught us how to make an additional dish as we were chatting about miso! She also answered all our questions and was really easy to talk to. I would highly recommend this experience - we made okonomyaki, a cucumber dish, carrot and tuna, and an aubergine pork miso dish (as well as miso soup and a tea ceremony at the end!). AND she then gave us a brilliant restaurant recommendation for our next night which we loved! We have made the food several times since returning to Scotland! Thank you for having us in your lovely home Emika!
- Q3993J August 20, 2023
Emika is very welcoming and explains very well how to prepare the menu that we agreed previously. We managed to learn how to prepare a Japanese lunch in 1hr30! Fantastic!
- delphine August 07, 2023
I had a really delicious homemade Japanese lunch. Emika prepared and cooked traditionally in front of me, from seasonal foods to tea ceremony. I suggest everyone to have this experience cause I asked and learnt a lots of new aspects of Japanese culture. Thank you Emika!
- Francesca May 16, 2023
I had a really delicious homemade Japanese lunch. Emika prepared and cooked traditionally in front of me, from seasonal foods to tea ceremony. I suggest everyone to have this experience cause I asked and learnt a lots of new aspects of Japanese culture. Thank you Emika!
- Frances May 16, 2023
My partner and I really enjoyed this experience. Learned to make a great variety of foods including gyoza with ingredients freshly picked from Asmi’s garden. It was a bonus that Asmi is also fluent in English
- Chris S May 07, 2023
Emika was engaging and organized and gave us detailed instructions on how to prepare all the lovely dishes we made that she had in a prior email planned with our input. We made Okonomiyaki, gyoza, Japanese spinach (from her garden) with Swiss chard in mentsuyu and miso soup. We finished the meal with a lovely tea ceremony. It was a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
- Sudarika April 28, 2023
It was a very interesting afternoon, where we learned a lot about the local culture and We cook delicious food! A great experience to learn about the culture local (translated by Google)
- 23Maiak April 17, 2023
Clear instructions and wonderful food. Emika is a natural teacher and easy to understand. Loved every minute 👍 we will be back 🍣
- Annie M April 15, 2023
This was one of the most delicious meals we’ve had on our trip. It was a pleasure to meet Emika and be invited into her home. The food she showed is how to prepare was so fresh, picked from her garden or prepared with her own hands. She took the time to explain what we were doing and was very patient showing us each step. Not only was the food delicious, it was a wonderful way to learn about some Japanese traditions and ingredients. I would highly recommend this experience!
- Q7123I April 12, 2023
Great few hours with Emika who was a warm and welcoming host. There was not much cooking required as we made two vegetable side dishes (her home grown vegetables!) and some sushi but was all delicious along with some miso soup. Emika is a qualified architect with great English and we really enjoyed our time with her.
- Katie26 April 03, 2023
Being able to ask questions and learn cooking in such an intimate setting Dietary requirements we're applied just for us.
- Mia_M March 29, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Emika! She is a gracious and kind host. Her homemade meals were delicious. We especially enjoyed experiencing the traditional tea ceremony after our meal. We highly recommend this opportunity!
- Richard March 28, 2023
We had a wonderful time making sushi and other Japanese dishes. We had our 11 year old granddaughter with us, and our host showed such patience and kindness. The food was all high quality and came out looking great!
- sidtobi March 28, 2023
Emika is a wonderful host and teacher who patiently and expertly taught us how to make several delicious Japanese dishes: Okonomiyaki, Negiyaki, Gyoza, stir-fried broccolini, and matcha tea. She is a lot of fun and speaks English very well -- you will really enjoy this class! This is a real Japanese experience you won't forget.
- AmyL48 March 19, 2023
It was a great experience to learn how to make some sushi and other related dishes. Emika was very kind and knew how to involve the kids. It was very cool to walk through her neighborhood and learn at her home for a more authentic experience in a private setting.
- Suneer March 12, 2023
It was a great experience to learn how to make some sushi and other related dishes. Emika was very kind and knew how to involve the kids. It was very cool to walk through her neighborhood and learn at her home for a more authentic experience in a private setting.
- Suneer March 12, 2023
Nice experience, Emika was a nice host; the sushi were good and thanks to her we now know how to make them. The location is a bit difficult to find and a little “impersonal”
- Schayben December 30, 2019
We spent about 3 hours at the home of our host and teacher, Emika, preparing several Japanese dishes. Emika was charming, knowledgable and welcoming! She had shopped and prepared thoughtfully in advance so that we could focus on learning techniques and enjoying the delicious results. We started with refreshing and tasty home-made iced red shiso tea while Emika explained the main dishes. We practiced cutting techniques, prepared sushi rice, and made miso soup using Emika's uncle's home-prepared barley miso. Under her patient and encouraging guidance, we assembled nigiri sushi with fresh fish, pickled red pepper, tofu skin (Inari) and egg omelet (tamago) as we sipped on sake. We finished by preparing smooth and delicate matcha tea while learning a little about tea ceremonies, which Emika had learned from her father.
- Omid R October 09, 2019
We had a enjoyable 2+ hours session in Emika’s own kitchen making lots of sushi, miso soup and 2 vegetables side dishes. Simple and easy to follow as emika’s English is quite good. Ended with a matcha tea ceremony. Location is not easy to find but worth the trip, especially at the end when we ate up all our “Masterchef” creations!
- smc41 October 02, 2019
Highly recommended! The overall experience was great, Emika is a great chef and can tell you all about Japanase food ánd culture. We made sushi as well as side dishes, I had a beer and my boyfriend sake and at the end of our lovely evening Emika taught us all about Japanese tea ceremonies. It's a nice way to learn more about life in Japan, oh, and I almost forgot to mention: the fish was sooooo fresh and tasty! ❤
- Laura_uit_Eindhoven August 26, 2019
Wonderful authentic experience. My husband and I visited Japan for the first time and wanted an authentic experience and to meet as many locals as possible. Emika greeted us in her lovely home and we had a good chat - we took the opportunity to ask her many questions about the Japanese history, lifestyle and her personal journey. She taught us how to make sushi and a few other local dishes as well as her specialty dishes. We ate over beer and sake and rounded off the dinner with a tea ceremony. Before we left, Emika gave me a beautiful homemade origami as a birthday present, which was the sweetest gesture! Highly recommended.
- Agata R January 04, 2019
I spent a memorable evening with Emika in her home where she took me through some of the basics of obanzai (Kyoto home-style) cooking. Everything was delicious and easy to follow. I'm really happy I took this class! :)
- Connector25181815936 November 11, 2018
I visited Emika's home with my wife, sister, and brother-in-law. My wife and I are pescatarian and Emika was quick to communicate with us before our booking to make sure our dietary needs would be accommodated. She and her mother welcomed us into their home and all four of us had a really excellent evening. She was able to answer a lot our questions about Kyoto and Japanese culture and we couldn't have been happier that we got to share in this experience. I would definitely recommend this experience to anybody looking for a really nice evening and a great food experience!
- Spencer S October 05, 2018
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Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$56 $56 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
$86 $86 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$136 $136 Not offered
Alcohol
$8 per person
Transportation
$20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
$56 $56 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
$86 $86 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
$136 $136 Not offered
Alcohol
$8 per person
Transportation
$20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
11:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
11:30am-3:30pm
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.