Traditional Japanese Home Cooking Class in Hida with Locals

Rena and her partner welcome you into their home to share simple, traditional dishes from the Hida region, prepared with fresh, local ingredients and seasonal vegetables. In you hands-on cooking class in Hida, you’ll learn to make three dishes using ingredients grown locally. One highlight is aburae (egoma), a type of perilla seed used in Hida cooking for generations, adding a warm, nutty flavor to everyday meals. You’ll also cook with high-quality Hida rice, famous for its rich taste and texture. The class lasts about one hour. Because Rena’s home kitchen is small, the class is a mix of a demonstration and a hands-on experience. You’ll help grind perilla seeds, chop vegetables, and shape rice balls, while Rena guides you through each step. It feels just like cooking in a friend’s home - learning everyday traditional dishes from the Hida region and then sitting down together to enjoy the meal you’ve helped prepare.

This authentic Japanese cooking class in a local home in Hida is the perfect way to connect with people, discover regional food culture, and experience the traditions of the Japanese mountain areas.