Meet
Kanae
Originally from Kamakura, Kanae and her husband and two daughters have lived in Sapporo for over a decade. Influenced by her mother, a skilled home cook, Kanae has loved food and cooking from a young age. Living in Hokkaido, renowned for its fresh, high-quality produce, seafood, and meat, she delights in creating dishes using locally sourced ingredients and traditional Japanese seasonings.
A US college graduate, Kanae is a warm and fun host who enjoys sharing stories about how locals live and eat. She is happy to accommodate your culinary requests, so feel free to let her know if there are specific dishes you’d like to try when you book. Kanae also loves introducing travelers to regional Hokkaido specialties, such as soup curry, chan chan yaki, and rice-stuffed squid, for guests interested in exploring Hokkaido cuisine beyond traditional Japanese home cooking.
If you enjoy hiking, Kanae’s home is conveniently located near Moiwa Mountain, a popular spot for scenic trails, as well as the picturesque Fushimi Inari Shrine, making her home a perfect base to combine a cooking class in Sapporo with outdoor exploration.
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:
(1-7 guests)
Kanae will welcome you into her comfortable family home in one of Sapporo’s most peaceful and charming residential neighborhoods. Begin your experience with a welcome drink as you immerse yourself in local Hokkaido culture and get to know your host, Kanae, while she shares stories about her family and life in Hokkaido. Afterward, join Kanae at her dining table to enjoy an authentic Japanese meal, which may include traditional dishes such as teriyaki chicken, kinpira-gobo (sweet and savory cooked burdock root), agedashi tofu (deep-fried and seasoned tofu), and miso soup. This is not just a meal, but a cultural experience that brings the flavors and stories of Hokkaido into your hands.
Cooking experience:
(1-7 guests)
Experience an authentic Japanese cooking class in Sapporo in the comfort of a local’s home. Join Kanae in her open home kitchen to learn traditional Japanese cooking techniques and prepare a homemade meal using fresh, seasonal Hokkaido ingredients. The hands-on cooking portion lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to learn, cook, and explore Japanese culinary traditions. Afterward, sit down with Kanae to enjoy the meal you helped create, sharing stories and insights about local food culture for a truly immersive cultural and culinary experience in Sapporo.
Market visit:
(1-7 guests)
Join Kanae for a private, guided tour of the Sapporo Morning Market (closed Wednesdays and Sundays) and Jogai Market, located next to the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market. Explore fresh regional produce, local seafood, and seasonal ingredients as Kanae shares insights about Hokkaido’s culinary traditions and how locals shop. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase fresh ingredients to use later in your hands-on cooking class. After the market tour, Kanae will drive you 15 minutes back to her home, where you’ll enjoy a Sapporo cooking class and meal experience, preparing and sharing the dishes together in a welcoming, authentic setting.
Notes:
1. Kanae’s car can accommodate up to 5 people total, including the driver (maximum 4 guests). If your group has 5 or more people, you will need to take a taxi and follow Kanae’s car from the meeting point at the station to her home.
2. Kanae is also happy to offer vegetarian and vegan dishes upon request. Please let her know when you book so she can prepare accordingly.
Languages spoken:
English, Japanese
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
Kanae-San took me through several small local markets, full of fresh fish and fruit/veggies,
as well as spices . Then we cooked a delicious meal in her home. She was a lovely host!
Thank you so much!
-
dawn
May 08, 2026
What a lovely morning I had with Kanae both shopping and preparing our lunch together. The food was delicious as well as nutritious.
I would recommend this tour to anyone in the Sapporo area who likes to cook and learn more about the food history of this area.
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pamela
April 21, 2026
My wife and I had the opertunity to join Kanae for her market tour and cooking class. From the moment she picked us up to the drive back to the station it was a time filled with joy and laughter. Her English was amazing and she was full of humor and good information. The meal was amazing and tasty, the time could not have been better spent. Five stars!
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sean
February 09, 2026
We joined Kanae to browse a market. We had fun looking at all the food (mostly fish) and
asking questions. Kanae bought some fish and then took us to her house, a beautiful place
on the edge of the mountain and we cooked lunch together. Lovely!
-
amy
January 21, 2026
Mrs. Kanae welcomed us and took us to the local market where we had the chance to witness the locals selling fish and vegetables. She then took us to her lovely house and welcomed us in.
Throughout the whole experience Kanae has been nothing but delightful to us. She modified the menu because my partner does not eat meat and she has responded to all our numerous questions on Japanese cuisine and culture.
She enlightened me on the four basic pillars of Japanese cooking and i cannot be anything but deeply thankful to her for the time she shared with us.
Grazie mille di cuore Kanae-san!
Hope to see you again
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Lorenzo
December 17, 2025
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