Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Machiko

Hiroshima, Japan

USD
$85-$125 per person

Traditional Japanese Home Cooking Class in Hiroshima

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

Meet Machiko

A proud mother of three beautiful children who are fussy eaters, Machiko comes up with new and interesting meals for her family everyday. This has made Machiko very passionate about cooking and experimenting with new recipes. She learned to cook from cookbooks and by watching cooking videos online. Machiko is excited to share home cooking with travelers visiting Hiroshima, so they can learn more about the everyday lives, culture and cuisine of Hiroshima. Machiko is eager to accommodate your preferences so feel free to include in your booking request if there are specific dishes you are interested in trying.

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) Machiko lives in a beautiful house with her children and husband, Daishi, who will join you for your experience whenever they are available. Machiko lives in a leafy residential neighborhood, located about a 20-minute streetcar ride from the city center. Her home is artistically decorated with an old turntable and several albums, an aquarium, family photos and the children's toys! Enjoy a meal of typical home-cooked Japanese dishes that Machiko cooks for her family. Your menu might include dishes such as miso soup, salad with sesame dressing and Japanese omelet or karaage/tempura (meat or seafood deep-fried) with rice balls or hand-rolled sushi. For dessert enjoy green tea flavored sweets.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Enjoy homestyle Honshu cooking in Hiroshima with a local family. Join Machiko in her home for a traditional Japanese cooking class in Hiroshima. During your 1.5 hour cooking class with this Hiroshima local in her kitchen, you will learn to cook 2-3 homestyle dishes from Machiko's family recipes. Machiko likes to use traditional cooking techniques - for example, when you learn to make the salad dressing, Machiko will teach you to use a mortar and pestle to crush the sesame that is the dressing's base. After cooking, sit down together at her dining table and share the authentic Japanese meal you helped prepare.

Machiko's Japanese cooking class in Hiroshima is suitable for couples, families, beginners and children. Immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Hiroshima.

Notes: This is a family-friendly experience! Your children of any age are welcome in Machiko's home.

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.
  • Miso soup
  • Salad with sesame dressing
  • Japanese omelet or Karaage/tempura (meat or seafood deep-fried) with rice balls or Hand-rolled sushi
  • Green tea flavored sweets
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Machiko is a warm and wonderful host, who lives in a very convenient location near from the city center. She welcomed us with warm smile into her clean and tidy house. Although she was a little nervous at first (since it was her first-time hosting), Machiko tried to know about us and listened to us very thoughtfully. She puts a lot of effort into making the cooking and dining experience with her as enjoyable as possible, by reading books and customizing the dishes based on the travelers needs. You will get to taste a real Honshu family meal with Machiko. And, she has beautiful Japanese style table wares - you can feel the Japanese atmosphere while eating food with these. If you are interested in something or have any questions, she will be happy to answer them!

Miki and John , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (28)
What an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Machiko and her family welcomed us into their home like old friends. They made us feel completely comfortable and at home, especially with our little 5-month-old baby, which meant so much to us while travelling. The entire experience felt incredibly genuine and special. We spent hours talking about our cultures, food, traditions, and favourite recipes while cooking together in their family kitchen. The conversation flowed so naturally and warmly that it never felt like a class — it felt like spending time with wonderful friends. Machiko was an amazing host and teacher. She involved us in every step of preparing a traditional Japanese meal: miso soup, sushi rolls, a delicious side dish, and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. My husband and I were absolutely mesmerised by all the little techniques, cooking tips, and unique ingredients she shared with us. We learned so much and left inspired to recreate these dishes ourselves. The food was incredible, but what truly made this experience unforgettable was the kindness and warmth of the whole family. They created such a meaningful memory for us, one we will carry in our hearts for a very long time. I truly cannot recommend this experience highly enough. If you are looking for something authentic, heartfelt, and memorable, this is it.
- deborah May 21, 2026
Great way to experience an authentic Japanese family encounter. Machiko-san and her family were welcoming, and the cooking experience was wonderful - we picked up lots of great tips we can apply at home. It all culminated in a delicious lunch which we thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you!
- giorgia May 07, 2026
It is a great opportunity to connect and spend time with a Japanese family in their personal home. I would recommend this experience to anyone and everyone. Machiko spent time explaining the basis of Japanese cooking, what the foundational items are and walked us through making them ourselves. She made sure the experience was interactive by having us take part in the preparation and cooking of everything we ate. The meal was simple but fantastic.
- william May 02, 2026
I arrived at Machiko-san's house for the Japanese cooking class. I left a bit early and was glad as addresses in Japan can be confusing. The Google coordinates given in the Traveling Spoon email were way off but I already was familiar with the area and had seen the picture of Machiko-san's house online. Anyway, it was all uphill from there! First, I sat with Machiko-san and her husband Daishi-san and had tea and told them about my home state (Louisiana) in the U.S. Although they both speak good English, at my request we spoke mostly Japanese since my goal this trip is to improve my speaking. Then we went to the kitchen, where Machiko-san had me cutting cabbage and chicken. She showed me how to make the Hiroshima specialty "okonomiyaki" as well as "karaage" (Japanese fried chicken). Then we had lunch with their two sons. It was great fun and I learned a lot. I was glad I'd brought a small gift from America (Louisiana pecans--the best!) and would recommend bringing a gift to anyone who has the the chance to visit Japanese people in their homes as it is culturally correct and always appreciated. Afterwards, I was so glad I'd signed up for this class. It was one of my best experiences so far in Japan!
- kelly March 30, 2026
Machiko is a very nice hostess and we are looking forward to recreating the dish at home. It was a great experience and we would book again anytime. Thank you so much!
- jasmine March 05, 2026
Read More

Machiko

$85-$125 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
In-Home Meal
 $105 $85 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $125 $105 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $105 $85 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $125 $105 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm

Meet Machiko

A proud mother of three beautiful children who are fussy eaters, Machiko comes up with new and interesting meals for her family everyday. This has made Machiko very passionate about cooking and experimenting with new recipes. She learned to cook from cookbooks and by watching cooking videos online. Machiko is excited to share home cooking with travelers visiting Hiroshima, so they can learn more about the everyday lives, culture and cuisine of Hiroshima. Machiko is eager to accommodate your preferences so feel free to include in your booking request if there are specific dishes you are interested in trying.

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) Machiko lives in a beautiful house with her children and husband, Daishi, who will join you for your experience whenever they are available. Machiko lives in a leafy residential neighborhood, located about a 20-minute streetcar ride from the city center. Her home is artistically decorated with an old turntable and several albums, an aquarium, family photos and the children's toys! Enjoy a meal of typical home-cooked Japanese dishes that Machiko cooks for her family. Your menu might include dishes such as miso soup, salad with sesame dressing and Japanese omelet or karaage/tempura (meat or seafood deep-fried) with rice balls or hand-rolled sushi. For dessert enjoy green tea flavored sweets.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Enjoy homestyle Honshu cooking in Hiroshima with a local family. Join Machiko in her home for a traditional Japanese cooking class in Hiroshima. During your 1.5 hour cooking class with this Hiroshima local in her kitchen, you will learn to cook 2-3 homestyle dishes from Machiko's family recipes. Machiko likes to use traditional cooking techniques - for example, when you learn to make the salad dressing, Machiko will teach you to use a mortar and pestle to crush the sesame that is the dressing's base. After cooking, sit down together at her dining table and share the authentic Japanese meal you helped prepare.

Machiko's Japanese cooking class in Hiroshima is suitable for couples, families, beginners and children. Immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Hiroshima.

Notes: This is a family-friendly experience! Your children of any age are welcome in Machiko's home.

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.
  • Miso soup
  • Salad with sesame dressing
  • Japanese omelet or Karaage/tempura (meat or seafood deep-fried) with rice balls or Hand-rolled sushi
  • Green tea flavored sweets
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Machiko is a warm and wonderful host, who lives in a very convenient location near from the city center. She welcomed us with warm smile into her clean and tidy house. Although she was a little nervous at first (since it was her first-time hosting), Machiko tried to know about us and listened to us very thoughtfully. She puts a lot of effort into making the cooking and dining experience with her as enjoyable as possible, by reading books and customizing the dishes based on the travelers needs. You will get to taste a real Honshu family meal with Machiko. And, she has beautiful Japanese style table wares - you can feel the Japanese atmosphere while eating food with these. If you are interested in something or have any questions, she will be happy to answer them!

Miki and John , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (28)
What an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Machiko and her family welcomed us into their home like old friends. They made us feel completely comfortable and at home, especially with our little 5-month-old baby, which meant so much to us while travelling. The entire experience felt incredibly genuine and special. We spent hours talking about our cultures, food, traditions, and favourite recipes while cooking together in their family kitchen. The conversation flowed so naturally and warmly that it never felt like a class — it felt like spending time with wonderful friends. Machiko was an amazing host and teacher. She involved us in every step of preparing a traditional Japanese meal: miso soup, sushi rolls, a delicious side dish, and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. My husband and I were absolutely mesmerised by all the little techniques, cooking tips, and unique ingredients she shared with us. We learned so much and left inspired to recreate these dishes ourselves. The food was incredible, but what truly made this experience unforgettable was the kindness and warmth of the whole family. They created such a meaningful memory for us, one we will carry in our hearts for a very long time. I truly cannot recommend this experience highly enough. If you are looking for something authentic, heartfelt, and memorable, this is it.
- deborah May 21, 2026
Great way to experience an authentic Japanese family encounter. Machiko-san and her family were welcoming, and the cooking experience was wonderful - we picked up lots of great tips we can apply at home. It all culminated in a delicious lunch which we thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you!
- giorgia May 07, 2026
It is a great opportunity to connect and spend time with a Japanese family in their personal home. I would recommend this experience to anyone and everyone. Machiko spent time explaining the basis of Japanese cooking, what the foundational items are and walked us through making them ourselves. She made sure the experience was interactive by having us take part in the preparation and cooking of everything we ate. The meal was simple but fantastic.
- william May 02, 2026
I arrived at Machiko-san's house for the Japanese cooking class. I left a bit early and was glad as addresses in Japan can be confusing. The Google coordinates given in the Traveling Spoon email were way off but I already was familiar with the area and had seen the picture of Machiko-san's house online. Anyway, it was all uphill from there! First, I sat with Machiko-san and her husband Daishi-san and had tea and told them about my home state (Louisiana) in the U.S. Although they both speak good English, at my request we spoke mostly Japanese since my goal this trip is to improve my speaking. Then we went to the kitchen, where Machiko-san had me cutting cabbage and chicken. She showed me how to make the Hiroshima specialty "okonomiyaki" as well as "karaage" (Japanese fried chicken). Then we had lunch with their two sons. It was great fun and I learned a lot. I was glad I'd brought a small gift from America (Louisiana pecans--the best!) and would recommend bringing a gift to anyone who has the the chance to visit Japanese people in their homes as it is culturally correct and always appreciated. Afterwards, I was so glad I'd signed up for this class. It was one of my best experiences so far in Japan!
- kelly March 30, 2026
Machiko is a very nice hostess and we are looking forward to recreating the dish at home. It was a great experience and we would book again anytime. Thank you so much!
- jasmine March 05, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $105 $85 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $125 $105 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $105 $85 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $125 $105 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm
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.

    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.