Meet
Midori
Midori has spent over 30 years cooking and researching Japanese cuisine, making her a true expert in Japanese home cooking. She grew up in Akashi City, where she learned traditional Japanese recipes from her grandmother, and has carried these skills into her professional career.
In 1995, Midori began sharing her culinary expertise by teaching cooking classes in Kyoto. After gaining years of experience, she returned to Kyoto and opened her charming cooking studio near the Gion district. Here, she teaches international travelers how to prepare authentic Japanese home-cooked meals.
Midori believes that sharing her passion for food is one of the best ways to connect with people and experience their culture, creating memorable culinary experiences for all her guests.
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:
(1-8 guests)
Midori will welcome you with smoked tea, a classic Japanese tea, and wagashi, traditional Japanese confections typically enjoyed with tea. She will introduce you to essential Japanese ingredients used in home cooking, including soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso, and explain how they bring flavor to each dish. Feel free to ask questions and learn about the techniques behind these authentic Japanese recipes.
After the introduction, you will sit down and enjoy a traditional Japanese home-style meal, which may include dishes such as miso soup, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), takoyaki (octopus balls), gyoza (dumplings), teriyaki chicken, and onigiri (rice balls). This meal is a delicious opportunity to experience the flavors of Japanese home cooking and learn directly from a skilled Kyoto chef.
Cooking experience:
(1-8 guests)
Join Midori in her cozy cooking studio in Kyoto for an authentic Japanese cooking class. Choose from one of her carefully curated set menus, featuring simple, delicious Japanese recipes you can easily recreate at home. Midori guides you through a mix of hands-on cooking and live demonstrations, using seasonal, traditional Japanese ingredients to prepare classic Japanese dishes.
The cooking portion lasts about 1.5 hours, after which you will sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare. Midori can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets, so please let her know of any dietary restrictions when booking.
During your meal, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, intimate experience, chatting with Midori about Kyoto’s best restaurants, local food culture, and souvenir shopping. Perfect for couples, families, and travelers interested in Japanese culinary culture, this experience feels like cooking with a friend while immersing yourself in the flavors of Japan.
Notes:
1. A friendly cat lives in the home, but it stays upstairs during the class and does not enter the kitchen or dining area.
2. Midori can accommodate halal, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan diets upon request. Please inform her of any allergies or dietary restrictions when booking your Kyoto cooking class online. She also offers set menus, so don’t forget to mention your menu preference at the time of booking.
3. This experience is perfect for families with children.
4. Midori offers seasonal Japanese menus that may include Gyū Don (beef bowl), Sauce Katsudon (pork or chicken cutlets), Rei Men (cold noodles), and more. If there is a specific Japanese dish you’d like to learn, please let her know when booking.
Languages spoken:
English, Japanese
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
The experience with Midori was very good, as she is very experienced running her own cooking school not only in Kyoto but other parts of South East Asia. She is very professional, and very serious about the way she is running her kitchen and class. Please feel free to ask more about ingredients you don’t know, as she will be delighted to explain in detail about all ingredients used in Japanese cooking. I asked her about Japanese silky tofu and she showed me a very quick and simple recipe to accommodate it as a snack! My favourite dish was chicken teriyaki - it was very very good!
Sophie, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
Absolutely delightful evening with Midori! We learned so many great secrets for several dishes and had a fantastic meal. Our meal with Midori was by far the favorite for our Kyoto stay. She is delightful, like visiting a friend and will share so many tips. Don’t hesitate, such a fun experience!
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christy
May 17, 2026
We had a phenomenal time with Midori, learning how to make gyoza, miso, and tonkatsu.
This is a longish class that lasted us 3 delightful hours and had very large portions. Come
hungry and ready to learn.
-
matthew
March 22, 2026
Had such a great time cooking with Midori! So much fun and the food was delicious. Midori
is so sweet too. We enjoyed spending time with her. Highly recommend!
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nicole
February 03, 2026
It’s a rare treat to come to Japan as a visitor and be able to experience a meal inside a
Japanese home. The skills from the cooking class were wonderful, but the social aspect of
chatting with a local was immeasurable. Midori is delightful, and a true gem. Thank you!
-
danielle
January 01, 2026
Midori is a wonderful teacher and enthusiastic about passing on her knowledge and
expertise. She was interested in us and our interests and gave us tips for the places we
were visiting in Japan.
-
Joyce
November 27, 2025
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