Private Japanese Cooking Class in Hiroshima with Machiko's Family
Description
Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class in a local Hiroshima home with your host Machiko. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class will take place in a local home kitchen where Machiko will teach you how to make 2-3 traditional Japanese dishes that she enjoys cooking for family and friends. After cooking, enjoy your meal together in your host's Japanese home. On days they are available, Machiko's husband and kids may join you for your in-home culinary experience. • Private cooking lesson in a local Hiroshima home • Introduction to Japanese culture and cuisine • 100% private activity • Experience Japanese hospitality in a residential Hiroshima neighborhood • Vegetarian and vegan options available • Family friendly experience
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Reviews(44)
This was a really nice and genuine experience thanks to Machiko's great hospitality. We had a fantastic time with her and her husband.
Very welcoming local cooking class
This was a wonderful experience! We were warmly welcomed into Machiko’s home by her and her husband. It was so comfortable and relaxed that we almost immediately felt as if we were long-time friends. Machiko provided great information and direction in preparing a typical Japanese home-prepared meal which we cooked with her assistance and then shared with her and her husband. It gave us a great insight into the life and food of a typical Japanese family and at the conclusion they even drove us back to our hotel. An experience that shouldn’t be missed snd we highly, highly recommend it. They were both interested in life in Canada and were interesting to talk to about life in Japan.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you felt so warmly welcomed by Machiko and her husband and quickly felt at home in their company. We are so glad you enjoyed preparing and sharing a traditional Japanese meal together while learning more about everyday life and culture in Japan. It is especially lovely to hear that the conversations and cultural exchange were such a memorable part of the experience. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We truly appreciate you choosing Traveling Spoon and are thrilled that your time with Machiko and her husband was such a special part of your trip.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review. We are so happy to hear that your time with Machiko-san and Daishi-san was one of the highlights of your trip to Japan. It sounds like a truly special experience, from enjoying tea and conversation together to cooking okonomiyaki and karaage in their home. We love that you embraced the opportunity to speak in Japanese as well. That kind of cultural exchange is exactly what makes these experiences so meaningful. We also appreciate you pointing out the issue with the Google coordinates. We will review this right away to make sure future guests have clear and accurate directions. Thank you as well for sharing the thoughtful tip about bringing a small gift. That is a lovely gesture and very much in line with local customs. We are so glad you chose to join this experience and that it became one of your best memories in Japan. We hope to welcome you again on another Traveling Spoon experience in the future.
Machiko is a very nice hostess and we look forward to recooking the dish at home. It was a great experience and we would book again anytime. We say thank you very much!
Machiko & Daishi were so welcoming We had a wonderful time - the best food we have had on our trip so far, I would highly recommend ❤️
This event is much more than a cooking class. His is an opportunity to connect and share with with people from another culture. During the class, Machiko showed how to prepare Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, rice with mushrooms and chestnuts, miso soup with vegetables, steamed vegetables with sesame and tofu, sliced fresh persimmons, and sea bream sashimi. The produce and ingredients were fresh and quality. All of the food we made was beautiful, fragrant, and delicious. I cannot wait to share the dishes I learned from Machiko with friends and family back at my home. Visiting with Machiko and Daishi was every bit as enjoyable as the cooking. Their warmth and hospitality made this a unique and unforgettable experience. Highly recommend this to everyone who loves food and friends.
