Cook in a Local Japanese Home in Hida - Authentic Family Recipes

listing image 1
Show all photos
3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: Japanese and 1 more

Experience two Japanese traditions in one intimate visit to a local home. Cook regional Hida dishes with ingredients rarely encountered in typical Japanese cooking classes, then try traditional Japanese calligraphy using brush and ink. Hosted by Rena in her family home surrounded by the mountains of Hida, the experience offers a personal introduction to rural Japanese food, culture and everyday life. It’s also a wonderful cultural activity for families and children visiting the Takayama and Hida area.

Example Menu

Starter

Vegetable with perilla seed

Starter

Komo tofu

(tofu wrapped in a "komo" (a woven straw mat) and boiled in soup stock)

Starter

Knot-shaped konnyaku (konjac plant jelly, similar to noodles)

Main

Hoba miso (grilled miso on a magnolia leaf with vegetables or beef)

Main

Onigiri (rice ball)

Main

Miso soup

What's Included

Three traditional Hida dishes and shared meal
Local ingredients including Hida rice and aburae (egoma)
Japanese calligraphy workshop with brush and ink
Private, hands-on Hida cooking class with Rena
Meet and walk with your host from JR Sugisaki Station
1-2 glasses of local sake, beer or wine
Hotel pick up and drop off

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please meet your host at JR Sugisaki Station, in front of the station building. From Hida-Furukawa Station, take the JR Takayama Line to JR Sugisaki Station (about 10 minutes). Rena's home is a 7 minute walk from JR Sugisaki Station.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What to expect

Step into a local home in Japan’s beautiful Hida region for a hands-on cooking class and Japanese calligraphy workshop with Rena. Discover the food and traditions of rural Japan as you prepare three regional dishes using fresh, locally grown ingredients, including nutty aburae (egoma) perilla seeds and prized Hida rice.

Grind perilla seeds, chop vegetables and shape Japanese rice balls while Rena shares the traditions behind Hida home cooking. Then sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Guests can pair their meal with 1–2 glasses of local sake, beer or wine.

Your experience also includes a hands-on Japanese calligraphy workshop. Learn the basics of this traditional art and practice writing Japanese characters with brush and ink. Combining food, art and time with locals, this intimate cultural experience is especially fun for families and children and offers a memorable glimpse into everyday life in rural Japan.

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Rena can accommodate a vegetarian diet with advance notice.
Supplied by Traveling Spoon

Tags

Dining Experiences
Cooking Classes
Restaurants
Lunch
Dinner
Food & Drink
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Show more
from per person
Was {{formatPrice(summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount, currency, 2)}}
Book Now