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: Wataru

Kamakura, Japan

USD
$49-$59 per person

Kamakura Cooking Class: Japanese Hot Pot & Matcha

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Wataru

Wataru is the founder of JP.Gastronomy, a brand dedicated to sharing Japan’s beloved hot pot (nabe) culture with travelers. He learned to cook from his mother and enjoys connecting with people from around the world through food. Based in Kamakura, Wataru looks forward to welcoming guests into his home and sharing the traditions, flavors, and stories behind Japanese hot pot.

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: (1-4 guests) After being picked up from Nishi-Kamakura station, drive to Wataru’s home for an authentic Japanese cooking class in Kamakura centered around Japanese hot pot.

Your 2-hour hands-on Kamakura cooking class begins with learning how to whisk your own matcha while discovering the Japanese concept of omotenashi (hospitality), and the traditions of Japanese tea culture. Then, help Wataru prepare the ingredients for your Japanese hot pot. Make fresh udon noodles and a flavorful dashi broth from scratch, while learning about the importance of dashi and umami in Japanese cuisine. You’ll also cut fresh seasonal vegetables and other ingredients for the hot pot. Once everything is ready, gather around the table and enjoy your hot pot together. Gently simmer meat or seafood in the flavorful broth and enjoy it with vegetables, noodles, or zosui, a comforting Japanese rice porridge made with the remaining broth.

This hands-on Japanese cooking class in Kamakura offers a delicious introduction to Japanese food culture, from matcha and dashi to the warmth of gathering around a shared hot pot, just as many Japanese families do.

Notes: 1. Wataru can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan diet on request.
2. He shares his home with his dog, a small Toy Poodle.
3. Wataru speaks limited English, so please speak slowly and clearly to help him follow the conversation and communicate with you comfortably.

Languages spoken: Japanese and 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.
  • Matcha
  • Japanese Hot Pot
  • Noodles or rice

Wataru

$49-$59 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
 $59 $49 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $49 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-1:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Wataru

Wataru is the founder of JP.Gastronomy, a brand dedicated to sharing Japan’s beloved hot pot (nabe) culture with travelers. He learned to cook from his mother and enjoys connecting with people from around the world through food. Based in Kamakura, Wataru looks forward to welcoming guests into his home and sharing the traditions, flavors, and stories behind Japanese hot pot.

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: (1-4 guests) After being picked up from Nishi-Kamakura station, drive to Wataru’s home for an authentic Japanese cooking class in Kamakura centered around Japanese hot pot.

Your 2-hour hands-on Kamakura cooking class begins with learning how to whisk your own matcha while discovering the Japanese concept of omotenashi (hospitality), and the traditions of Japanese tea culture. Then, help Wataru prepare the ingredients for your Japanese hot pot. Make fresh udon noodles and a flavorful dashi broth from scratch, while learning about the importance of dashi and umami in Japanese cuisine. You’ll also cut fresh seasonal vegetables and other ingredients for the hot pot. Once everything is ready, gather around the table and enjoy your hot pot together. Gently simmer meat or seafood in the flavorful broth and enjoy it with vegetables, noodles, or zosui, a comforting Japanese rice porridge made with the remaining broth.

This hands-on Japanese cooking class in Kamakura offers a delicious introduction to Japanese food culture, from matcha and dashi to the warmth of gathering around a shared hot pot, just as many Japanese families do.

Notes: 1. Wataru can accommodate a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan diet on request.
2. He shares his home with his dog, a small Toy Poodle.
3. Wataru speaks limited English, so please speak slowly and clearly to help him follow the conversation and communicate with you comfortably.

Languages spoken: Japanese and 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.
  • Matcha
  • Japanese Hot Pot
  • Noodles or rice
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $49 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $49 Not offered
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-1:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
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 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 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 24 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. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. 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 round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    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.