Culinary Expert will guide you through the art of
Simple, easy and delicious Japanese food to you!
The best cooking class in Japan 2018 - 2023 by TripAdvisor! See more detail.
As of 2025, we have been selected as the No.1 Japanese cooking class on Tripadvisor.
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.
We introduce Japanese home cooking recipes (both video and text) for free. Please watch and try them out! Smart phone app is available too.
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.
The other day, we welcomed a very special guest to our Japanese cooking class in Tokyo.
He was a young boy who absolutely loves Japanese food — especially Japanese sweets.
With shining eyes, he showed me a notebook filled from cover to cover with the names of Japanese snacks and desserts. Before coming to Japan, he had carefully researched them all and written them down himself, preparing for this trip with incredible dedication.
After our class, we stopped by a local supermarket.
Notebook in hand, he made a beeline for the snack aisle. Checking each name one by one, he excitedly filled his basket with the sweets he had dreamed of trying. The determination and pure joy on his face were unforgettable.
Moments like this remind me why I love hosting a Japanese cooking class in Tokyo.
Seeing a child so wholeheartedly passionate about Japanese food is truly inspiring.
His parents watched nearby — slightly amazed and perhaps a little overwhelmed — but smiling warmly at his enthusiasm.
If you’re wondering where to buy high-quality nori in Tokyo, look no further than Yamamoto Nori-ten in Nihonbashi. Founded in 1849, this historic seaweed specialty store has been perfecting the art of nori for over 170 years — making it one of the most respected nori shops in Japan.
Located in Nihonbashi, a district known as the birthplace of commerce in Tokyo, the shop perfectly matches its surroundings: refined, traditional, and deeply connected to Japanese culture.
Yamamoto Nori-ten is famous for creating ajitsuke nori (seasoned seaweed) in the Meiji era. Today, they continue to produce premium roasted nori with a rich aroma, delicate crispness, and deep umami flavor.
Even if you think nori is “just seaweed,” tasting it here might completely change your perspective. The quality difference is immediately noticeable.
Looking for an authentic Japanese food souvenir? Their beautifully packaged nori gift boxes are lightweight, elegant, and easy to carry — perfect for bringing home a taste of Japan. Compared to sweets, nori is less common overseas, making it a unique and memorable gift.
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This time of year is usually a little quieter for my cooking classes. Taking advantage of this slower season, I decided to renovate my kitchen area. I added tiles to the walls of both the kitchen and the serving counter, where stains and small scratches had been bothering me for some time. The overall look hasn’t changed much, but it’s now much easier to clean. A long-held wish has finally come true, and I’m feeling refreshed and motivated in the kitchen once again.
The wall cabinets and the three-tier display shelves were left as they were, and a craftsman carefully installed each tile by hand.
Arakawa, where the kitchen studio is located, was once known for its brick-lined streets. With that history in mind, we incorporated a touch of it into the interior design.
Being able to clean even under the refrigerator has left both the space and my mind feeling refreshed.
Under the kitchen counter, there were several areas where the wallpaper had peeled away, and it had been a spot that bothered me for many years. (Every time I looked at it, my heart sank a little, so I found myself pretending not to notice.)
Even so, this is still a special place for me—my favorite spot where I continue to write this blog.
This time, we had tiles installed here as well. We added indirect lighting to create a cozy, café-like atmosphere, and my husband even designed the cable setup so that devices can be conveniently charged.
I’m looking forward to spending time in this space together with all of you!
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Tokyo covered in snow ❄️
A rare and magical winter moment in the city.
Before heading out, I paused at my cooking studio, looking out at the small garden outside the window — now gently covered in snow.
The usually quiet mini garden felt even more still, wrapped in white.
This day was an important election day for Japan.
I filmed this video on a snowy morning on my way to the polling station.
The snow may have affected the turnout and the results.
Even so, I believe in doing what I can, first.
Watching the snow settle softly over the garden reminded me that small, quiet actions still matter.
That was the feeling I carried with me that morning.
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The miso muddler is a thoughtfully designed Japanese kitchen tool made especially for preparing miso soup, a staple of everyday home cooking in Japan. Its rounded, spiral-shaped tip allows you to scoop up miso paste easily and dissolve it directly into hot dashi, helping the miso blend quickly and smoothly without clumps. Compared to using a ladle or chopsticks, it distributes flavor more evenly and saves time.
At first glance, many people are curious about how to use this unique tool, but once they try it, they’re often impressed by how simple and efficient it is. If you’ve ever found your kitchen counter crowded with utensils while cooking—especially when trying a new recipe—the miso muddler offers a smart, space-saving solution.
Before using a miso muddler, I used chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in the other, and dissolving miso took time and effort. With this tool, you can cook using just one hand while the miso dissolves effortlessly in the broth. The dual-ended design also makes measuring easy: the larger end holds approximately 2 tablespoons, while the smaller end measures 1 tablespoon, helping you achieve consistent results every time.
Although it’s called a miso muddler, its versatility goes far beyond miso soup. It’s perfect for mixing homemade dressings, blending eggs, stirring small amounts of batter, or working with paste-like ingredients such as peanut butter or sesame paste. Simple, practical, and easy to clean, this tool embodies the quiet ingenuity of Japanese kitchenware. Once you start using it, it quickly becomes an everyday essential.
Would you like to have one?
Please contact me!
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Note : This article was first submitted in July 28, 2022 and resubmitted in February 7, 2026 to reflect revisions and additional video.
It was wonderful to welcome returning guests from Hungary after a year. 🇭🇺
Seeing more repeat guests join my classes truly makes me happy.
Last time, they joined the Ramen & Gyoza class, and this time they chose the Japanese home cooking class. We started with how to make dashi, then learned how to cook fluffy rice, miso soup, classic pickles, and several main and side dishes using both meat and fish.
They told me they’ll be back again next year —
I’m already looking forward to seeing them again! ✨
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Looking for the best Japanese cooking class in Tokyo?
Want an authentic, hands-on cultural experience during your trip to Japan?
Our cooking class offers an immersive and unforgettable Tokyo food experience in English, perfect for travelers, couples, families, and food lovers.
We specialize in small-group, interactive classes where you cook real Japanese dishes from scratch — not demonstrations, but true participation.
Our Most Popular Tokyo Cooking Classes :
– Ramen & Gyoza 🍜🥟
– Okonomiyaki & Gyoza 🥟
– Home-style Tempura 🍤
– Home-style Sushi 🍣
– Japanese Home Meals 🍙🍲🐟🥩🥚🥬
– Japanese Bento 🍱
– Japanese Sweets & Tea 🍵🍡
Perfect For :
– Travelers looking for unique Tokyo activities
– Couples seeking a cultural date experience
– Families with children
– Foodies wanting authentic recipes
– Anyone who loves Japanese cuisine
Book the BEST Japanese Cooking Class Today 🇯🇵
Make your trip to Japan unforgettable.
Cook, eat, laugh, and experience authentic Japanese cuisine with us.
We look forward to welcoming you to our kitchen!
For booking, please check here!
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It’s not about skill, but the focus and presence in the moment ✨
Recently, I hosted a pop-up cooking class at a birthday party with kids from all over the world 🎂
Arrived on site looking a bit like a traveling vendor.
We cooked Okonomiyaki and Dango parfait together.
Little hands rolling dumplings together.
A plate brought over with, “I want more!”
A gentle voice saying, “Is there anything I can help with?”
Even in a different environment, if the joy of cooking and the way we engage with it came across, even just a little, that would mean everything to me.
Want to experience PRIVATE or Small Group cooking class in Tokyo?
Join my cooking class—perfect for kids, families, and curious cooks.
Check the class calendar and reserve your seat here. ❤️
Guests who joined us before came back again, this time bringing their friend!
Last time, they took our Ramen & Gyoza class, and this time they joined the Bento class 🍱
While catching up on each other’s recent stories, I was able to share deeper techniques of Japanese home cooking.
It was such a wonderful time. Hope to see them again in the near future! ✨
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Mackerel simmered in miso (鯖の味噌煮) is a traditional Japanese dish made by gently cooking mackerel in a savory sauce of miso paste, sake, mirin, sugar, and ginger.
The miso gives the dish a rich, slightly sweet and salty flavor, while ginger helps remove any fishy smell.
It is commonly served as a home-style meal and eaten with rice.
