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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Tomoko

Tokyo, Japan

USD
$135 per person

Japanese Home Cooking Class in Tokyo with a Local

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

Meet Tomoko

Tomoko was born and raised in Tokyo. After graduating, she worked for a major general trading company and then spent two years studying traditional Japanese cuisine at the Mano Culinary School in Tokyo. After that, Tomoko spent 10 years in Thailand and 5 years in Mexico, where she taught locals and expats how to cook Japanese cuisine. In July 2022 she returned to Japan and resumed her cooking classes from home. Tomoko’s culinary journey has been characterized by the influence of diverse cultures. It brings her immense joy to introduce Japanese cuisine to new people and see them enjoy it. She is passionate about both cooking and teaching; she would like everyone to experience the joy of cooking and discover a vibrant world of flavors. Tomoko’s Japanese cooking class is ideal for beginners, families, couples - anyone who is interested in learning how to cook Japanese food at home.

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.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Meet Tomoko at Todoroki station and walk for 13 minutes to her house. You will walk through the Todoroki Fudoson temple and a Japanese traditional garden before heading to her home. Join Tomoko in her home kitchen for your authentic Japanese cooking class in Tokyo. You will learn to cook traditional Japanese cuisine in a local home, just like how Tomoko would cook it for her family. She will use simple ingredients and cooking techniques so that you can recreate each dish back home. During your 2-hour hands-on cooking class learn to make a main dish and a seasonal side dish. You can choose one main dish from options like gyoza, ramen, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), sushi rolls, yakimeshi (fried rice), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), or teriyaki salmon, along with a seasonal side dish.

After cooking, sit down with Tomoko at her dining table to share the meal you helped prepare, which will be served with miso soup, home-made plum wine or beer or green tea and a matcha dessert with red beans and ice cream.

Notes:
1. Tomoko can offer lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, while booking your Tokyo cooking class online.
2. Please note Tomoko's class is only suitable for those who are 12 years and above.
3. A glass of homemade plum wine or beer is included in the cost of your experience.

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 ONE main from the below options, which will be served with miso soup, seasonal vegetables, home made plum wine, beer, a matcha dessert with red beans and ice cream or coffee Jelly with icecream
  • Main dish choice: Dishes using seasonal fish ❘ Crispy Gyoza with Ramen | Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) | Sushi rolls | Yakimeshi (fried rice) with meat dish or fish dish | Karaage (deep fried chicken) | Tempura | Vegetarian ramen with vegie gyoza ❘ pork dish ❘ chicken dish ❘ Tofu steak with salmon dish ❘
  • Vegan/Vegetarian menu: Tofu steak + Soy milk soup + Shiitake mushrooms + Seasonal vegetables + Matcha dessert (made from seaweed instead of gelatin) + Green tea

Traveler reviews

5.0 (6)
I am a Travel Advisor who booked a cooking experience with Tomoko in Tokyo. I was there with my niece and nephew who had a few dietary restrictions including gluten-free and vegetarian. We met her at the train station, and along the walk to her home, she asked if we could stop for a few minutes at the temple which we enjoyed being part of her ritual. At her home she gave us snacks and a drink and we discussed the menu Tomoko planned that took into consideration my family's dietary needs. We cooked and ate together. My nephew said this was the best meal he had in Japan and we had been there for 3 weeks. He has since recreated that meal for his parents at home. In short, it was a WONDERFUL experience!
- Lynn, Signature Travel Advisor February 06, 2026
Tomoko teaches a great class and is very accommodating. The food was delicious and we loved that she provided recipes and tips for dishes beyond what we made in class. Very personal and also learned a lot about Japan. Thanks again, Tomoko!
- brie October 28, 2025
A Wonderful Japanese Cooking Experience with Tomoko! As a French person who loves good food, I was absolutely delighted by my cooking class with Tomoko in Tokyo! She is such a generous, kind, and welcoming person — from the very first moment, I felt completely at home. We prepared a full traditional Japanese meal together, and everything was simply delicious. The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced — you can truly feel the love and attention she puts into her cooking. What made the experience even more special is that after the class, Tomoko took me to a local supermarket to find the key ingredients so I could bring some of Japan back home with me. It was so much fun to explore the aisles together and learn about the local products! Tomoko explained every step with great patience and shared so many interesting insights about Japanese culture and cuisine. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and felt deeply inspired. If you want to discover the real taste of Japan in a warm, authentic, and personal way, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s not just a cooking class — it’s a truly unforgettable memory!
- Charlotte P October 23, 2025
As a French person who loves good food, I was absolutely delighted by my cooking class with Tomoko in Tokyo! She is such a generous, kind, and welcoming person — from the very first moment, I felt completely at home. We prepared a full traditional Japanese meal together, and everything was simply delicious. The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced — you can truly feel the love and attention she puts into her cooking. What made the experience even more special is that after the class, Tomoko took me to a local supermarket to find the key ingredients so I could bring some of Japan back home with me. It was so much fun to explore the aisles together and learn about the local products! Tomoko explained every step with great patience and shared so many interesting insights about Japanese culture and cuisine. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and felt deeply inspired. If you want to discover the real taste of Japan in a warm, authentic, and personal way, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s not just a cooking class — it’s a truly unforgettable memory!
- Charlotte October 14, 2025
An Unforgettable Evening Cooking with Tomoko in Tokyo. On our second-to-last night in Japan, after nearly three weeks of travel, my niece, nephew, and I joined Tomoko for a private cooking experience, which turned out to be one of the trip's highlights. From the start, Tomoko's hospitality shone through—she met us at the train station and personally welcomed us into her home, where she had prepared everything beautifully for the evening. My nephew follows a gluten-free and vegetarian diet (though he does not have celiac disease), and Tomoko went above and beyond to accommodate his needs without compromising the flavors or authenticity of the meal. The results were outstanding—the food was both delicious and nourishing, and the training she provided made every step approachable and fun. The dishes we prepared together were some of the best we had in Japan, and my nephew even declared it the single best meal of his entire trip. He has already recreated one of the vegetarian recipes for his parents at home, and I'm planning to prepare the whole meal again later in October. Beyond the food itself, what made the evening so memorable was Tomoko's warmth, knowledge, and genuine joy in sharing Japanese cuisine and culture. It felt less like a class and more like being welcomed into a friend's home. If you're looking for a meaningful, hands-on culinary experience in Tokyo that leaves you with both wonderful memories and recipes to cherish, I highly recommend Tomoko.
- Fern October 01, 2025
Engaging and Delicious. Tomoko welcomed us warmly into her home where we made and enjoyed delicious ramen and gyoza along with outstanding homemade plum wine and other complements. Our conversations were fun and interesting. We appreciated the neighbourhood walk to Tomoko's home from the railway station, which included a mindful pause at a unique valley shrine sited among ancient cherry trees. We are already planning a Japanese night back in Australia so we can practice our new-found skills. Thank you Tomoko, Chris and Tony
- Anthony W August 27, 2025
Read More

Tomoko

$135 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
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $135 $135 $135
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $135 $135 $135
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm

Meet Tomoko

Tomoko was born and raised in Tokyo. After graduating, she worked for a major general trading company and then spent two years studying traditional Japanese cuisine at the Mano Culinary School in Tokyo. After that, Tomoko spent 10 years in Thailand and 5 years in Mexico, where she taught locals and expats how to cook Japanese cuisine. In July 2022 she returned to Japan and resumed her cooking classes from home. Tomoko’s culinary journey has been characterized by the influence of diverse cultures. It brings her immense joy to introduce Japanese cuisine to new people and see them enjoy it. She is passionate about both cooking and teaching; she would like everyone to experience the joy of cooking and discover a vibrant world of flavors. Tomoko’s Japanese cooking class is ideal for beginners, families, couples - anyone who is interested in learning how to cook Japanese food at home.

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.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) Meet Tomoko at Todoroki station and walk for 13 minutes to her house. You will walk through the Todoroki Fudoson temple and a Japanese traditional garden before heading to her home. Join Tomoko in her home kitchen for your authentic Japanese cooking class in Tokyo. You will learn to cook traditional Japanese cuisine in a local home, just like how Tomoko would cook it for her family. She will use simple ingredients and cooking techniques so that you can recreate each dish back home. During your 2-hour hands-on cooking class learn to make a main dish and a seasonal side dish. You can choose one main dish from options like gyoza, ramen, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), sushi rolls, yakimeshi (fried rice), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), or teriyaki salmon, along with a seasonal side dish.

After cooking, sit down with Tomoko at her dining table to share the meal you helped prepare, which will be served with miso soup, home-made plum wine or beer or green tea and a matcha dessert with red beans and ice cream.

Notes:
1. Tomoko can offer lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, while booking your Tokyo cooking class online.
2. Please note Tomoko's class is only suitable for those who are 12 years and above.
3. A glass of homemade plum wine or beer is included in the cost of your experience.

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 ONE main from the below options, which will be served with miso soup, seasonal vegetables, home made plum wine, beer, a matcha dessert with red beans and ice cream or coffee Jelly with icecream
  • Main dish choice: Dishes using seasonal fish ❘ Crispy Gyoza with Ramen | Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) | Sushi rolls | Yakimeshi (fried rice) with meat dish or fish dish | Karaage (deep fried chicken) | Tempura | Vegetarian ramen with vegie gyoza ❘ pork dish ❘ chicken dish ❘ Tofu steak with salmon dish ❘
  • Vegan/Vegetarian menu: Tofu steak + Soy milk soup + Shiitake mushrooms + Seasonal vegetables + Matcha dessert (made from seaweed instead of gelatin) + Green tea

Traveler reviews

5.0 (6)
I am a Travel Advisor who booked a cooking experience with Tomoko in Tokyo. I was there with my niece and nephew who had a few dietary restrictions including gluten-free and vegetarian. We met her at the train station, and along the walk to her home, she asked if we could stop for a few minutes at the temple which we enjoyed being part of her ritual. At her home she gave us snacks and a drink and we discussed the menu Tomoko planned that took into consideration my family's dietary needs. We cooked and ate together. My nephew said this was the best meal he had in Japan and we had been there for 3 weeks. He has since recreated that meal for his parents at home. In short, it was a WONDERFUL experience!
- Lynn, Signature Travel Advisor February 06, 2026
Tomoko teaches a great class and is very accommodating. The food was delicious and we loved that she provided recipes and tips for dishes beyond what we made in class. Very personal and also learned a lot about Japan. Thanks again, Tomoko!
- brie October 28, 2025
A Wonderful Japanese Cooking Experience with Tomoko! As a French person who loves good food, I was absolutely delighted by my cooking class with Tomoko in Tokyo! She is such a generous, kind, and welcoming person — from the very first moment, I felt completely at home. We prepared a full traditional Japanese meal together, and everything was simply delicious. The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced — you can truly feel the love and attention she puts into her cooking. What made the experience even more special is that after the class, Tomoko took me to a local supermarket to find the key ingredients so I could bring some of Japan back home with me. It was so much fun to explore the aisles together and learn about the local products! Tomoko explained every step with great patience and shared so many interesting insights about Japanese culture and cuisine. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and felt deeply inspired. If you want to discover the real taste of Japan in a warm, authentic, and personal way, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s not just a cooking class — it’s a truly unforgettable memory!
- Charlotte P October 23, 2025
As a French person who loves good food, I was absolutely delighted by my cooking class with Tomoko in Tokyo! She is such a generous, kind, and welcoming person — from the very first moment, I felt completely at home. We prepared a full traditional Japanese meal together, and everything was simply delicious. The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced — you can truly feel the love and attention she puts into her cooking. What made the experience even more special is that after the class, Tomoko took me to a local supermarket to find the key ingredients so I could bring some of Japan back home with me. It was so much fun to explore the aisles together and learn about the local products! Tomoko explained every step with great patience and shared so many interesting insights about Japanese culture and cuisine. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and felt deeply inspired. If you want to discover the real taste of Japan in a warm, authentic, and personal way, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s not just a cooking class — it’s a truly unforgettable memory!
- Charlotte October 14, 2025
An Unforgettable Evening Cooking with Tomoko in Tokyo. On our second-to-last night in Japan, after nearly three weeks of travel, my niece, nephew, and I joined Tomoko for a private cooking experience, which turned out to be one of the trip's highlights. From the start, Tomoko's hospitality shone through—she met us at the train station and personally welcomed us into her home, where she had prepared everything beautifully for the evening. My nephew follows a gluten-free and vegetarian diet (though he does not have celiac disease), and Tomoko went above and beyond to accommodate his needs without compromising the flavors or authenticity of the meal. The results were outstanding—the food was both delicious and nourishing, and the training she provided made every step approachable and fun. The dishes we prepared together were some of the best we had in Japan, and my nephew even declared it the single best meal of his entire trip. He has already recreated one of the vegetarian recipes for his parents at home, and I'm planning to prepare the whole meal again later in October. Beyond the food itself, what made the evening so memorable was Tomoko's warmth, knowledge, and genuine joy in sharing Japanese cuisine and culture. It felt less like a class and more like being welcomed into a friend's home. If you're looking for a meaningful, hands-on culinary experience in Tokyo that leaves you with both wonderful memories and recipes to cherish, I highly recommend Tomoko.
- Fern October 01, 2025
Engaging and Delicious. Tomoko welcomed us warmly into her home where we made and enjoyed delicious ramen and gyoza along with outstanding homemade plum wine and other complements. Our conversations were fun and interesting. We appreciated the neighbourhood walk to Tomoko's home from the railway station, which included a mindful pause at a unique valley shrine sited among ancient cherry trees. We are already planning a Japanese night back in Australia so we can practice our new-found skills. Thank you Tomoko, Chris and Tony
- Anthony W August 27, 2025
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $135 $135 $135
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $135 $135 $135
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm
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.

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    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.

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