Welcome to “YUCa’s Japanese Cooking®”,
a cooking class in Tokyo.
Join YUCa®'s award-winning Japanese cooking class in Tokyo for an intimate, hands-on culinary experience. Classes are taught in English.
Welcome to “YUCa’s Japanese Cooking®”,
In-person Class
We offer 7 classes at YUCa's private kitchen studio. Each class takes 2.5 hours and hands-on class. Please push button to know more detail.
Recipe
We introduce Japanese home cooking recipes (both video and text) for free. Please watch and try them out!
Vlog
A casual look into everyday life in Japan. From home cooking and family meals to seasonal moments, our vlogs share the real, simple joy of Japanese daily living.
What Japanese Families Eat During Hot Summer Days
Tokyo summers are humid and exhausting. When temperatures rise, many Japanese families naturally start choosing meals that are:
- – lighter
- – easier to digest
- – fast to prepare
- – refreshing but nutritious
Instead of heavy restaurant-style meals, home cooking becomes simpler and more seasonal.
Popular summer dishes in Japanese homes include:
- – cold somen noodles
- – rice bowls with vegetables
- – grilled fish
- – cucumber salads
- – cold tofu
- – onigiri
- – seasonal fruits
- – barley tea
Meals are often served in small portions with several side dishes rather than one large plate.
This style helps people eat comfortably even during extreme heat.
The Real Beauty of Japanese Home Cooking
Many tourists come to Japan dreaming about sushi, ramen, or wagyu.
But everyday Japanese family meals are often much more simple.
The beauty of Japanese home cooking is:
- – using seasonal ingredients
- – avoiding waste
- – creating balanced meals
- – appreciating small details
- – eating together
This is the side of Japan many travelers never get to experience in restaurants.
That is why cooking classes have become one of the most meaningful cultural experiences for visitors to Tokyo.
Hello from Cooking Class in Tokyo
I recently had the pleasure of welcoming a lovely family from Canada to my Japanese cooking class.
Since this was a private class, they were able to bring their 3-month-old baby into the room with a stroller. Thanks to the comfortable and relaxed environment, the baby stayed happy throughout the lesson, which allowed the whole family to fully enjoy the experience together.
Their older son became the “main chef” of the day and did an amazing job!
He carefully chose a real Japanese kitchen knife for adults, helped cut the ingredients, skillfully used chopsticks to mix eggs, and even challenged himself to make karaage (Japanese fried chicken) together with his father.
During the lesson, we made:
- Okonomiyaki
- Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette)
- Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)
- Onigiri
- Miso soup
- Goma-ae (sesame dressed vegetables)
It was such a warm and memorable experience to cook authentic Japanese home dishes together as a family.
For families with small children, or for guests who would like to learn specific Japanese dishes, I highly recommend booking a private class.
Private lessons allow everyone to learn at their own pace and enjoy a comfortable, personalized cooking experience in Tokyo.
For more about this post, please check here!
Japanese Kitchen Tools : Self-standing cutting board
Cutting boards are something we use every day in the kitchen.
With just a small change, they can become much more convenient and hygienic.
Among them, self-standing cutting boards are especially practical.
After washing, you can simply stand them upright to dry, allowing water to drain easily and helping them dry more quickly.
They are especially useful during humid seasons or in kitchens with limited space.
New chapter has begun!
In Japan, we have entered April, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
April is a season when a new school term begins and many people start new jobs, marking the start of a new chapter in life. In our family as well, my daughter has started elementary school, and a new chapter has begun for us.
My husband and I recently attended her entrance ceremony. I was deeply moved to see her wearing a backpack that was slightly bigger than her back.
She has already made some friends, and I’m relieved to hear that she is enjoying her days happily.
By the way, are you curious about what Japanese elementary school students receive from their schools?
Wishing you all a wonderful new month ahead!
Lots of love from Tokyo,
YUCa
YUCa’s Tea POP-UP store
We recently held a YUCa’s Tea pop-up store in the Shimokitazawa area.
For this special one-day event, we took over Kakyo’s shop and opened a limited-time YUCa’s Tea Store!
At the event, Kakyo used YUCa’s Tea hojicha powder for pastry-making to create hojicha canelés, financiers, muffins, and other baked sweets.
I also had a taste, and they were incredible—crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside! As you eat them, you can enjoy the rich aroma of hojicha, and I truly felt they might be the most delicious canelés in Tokyo (or even in all of Japan!). I would love to have them again.
On the day, my husband and son, wearing original YUCa’s Tea sweatshirts, also helped at the shop, whisking matcha and serving food and drinks to our guests.
My son seemed to really enjoy the experience, and it became a great opportunity for him to gain some real-world work experience.
Would you like to try the aromatic Hojicha from YUCa’s Tea?
We offer both tea bags and loose leaf tea. Please order from the link below!
The YUCa Book (Working Title) Is Coming!
Out of the blue, I have some exciting news—I’m creating a book filled with all of my favorite things, tentatively titled “The YUCa Book”!
Time has passed since I published my first book, YUCa’s Japanese Cooking ~First cookbook by YUCa~, in 2019, and I’ve begun to turn my thoughts toward my next one.
The book will be a special combination of a recipe collection—something many of you have requested—and a guide to my favorite hidden spots in Tokyo that I highly recommend visiting.
I’m working to create content that you can enjoy before your trip, during your stay, and even after you return home, as a way to relive your memories.
Right now, I’m meeting with an editor once a week as we shape this project together.
If there’s any content you’re curious about or recipes you’d love to see included, please feel free to reply to this email and let me know.
I would be so happy to create a book that includes your ideas as well! ❤️📖
Japanese Kitchen Tools : Rolling Knife Sharpener
A Rolling Knife Sharpener is a simple and user-friendly tool designed to sharpen kitchen knives by rolling a cylindrical sharpening device along the blade.
It typically consists of two main parts: a rolling drum coated with abrasive materials such as diamond or ceramic, and a magnetic angle guide that holds the knife at a fixed angle. To use it, you place the knife against the guide and roll the sharpener back and forth. This motion allows the blade to be sharpened evenly without needing advanced skills.
Unlike traditional whetstones, which require practice to maintain the correct angle, a Rolling Knife Sharpener ensures consistent results with minimal effort. It is especially popular among beginners and home cooks because it is quick, safe, and easy to use.
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Recipe : Yuzu Peel Yokan
Yuzu yokan with pieces of yuzu peel is a traditional Japanese sweet made by adding yuzu peel to sweet bean jelly. It is characterized by an elegant flavor that balances sweetness with a refreshing aroma and a slight bitterness. The smooth texture is complemented by the subtle chewiness of the yuzu peel, and its appearance is visually appealing. It is often enjoyed with green tea.
Hello from Cooking Class in Tokyo
Study Trip in Japan? Let’s Cook Together! 🍱🇯🇵
Are you planning a school trip to Japan?
Why not add a hands-on Japanese cooking experience to your journey?
In our cooking class, students don’t just eat Japanese food — they learn, create, and connect through it.
👩🏻🍳What you can experience:
• Make authentic Japanese dishes from scratch
• Learn cultural stories behind each recipe
• Enjoy a warm, welcoming home-style atmosphere
• English-friendly guidance for international students
From sushi to tempura, bento to seasonal home cooking —
this is more than a class, it’s a memorable cultural experience.
Perfect for:
🎒 High school study tours
🌸 Cultural exchange programs
👫 Small group activities
📩 DM us for group bookings & availability!
Let’s create delicious memories together 💛
Tokyo Guide : KAGUWA
What Is Wakoucha? Discover Japanese Black Tea in Tokyo.
KAGUWA is a specialty tea shop dedicated to wakoucha, or Japanese black tea.
Unlike the black tea many people are familiar with, wakoucha is made from Japanese tea leaves and offers a much softer, rounder flavor. It has very little bitterness, and instead carries a gentle natural sweetness along with a delicate, almost floral aroma.
