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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Michiyo

Kyoto, Japan

USD
$76-$94 per person

Authentic Japanese Home Cooking Class in Kyoto

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Michiyo

Michiyo’s bright, welcoming home offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of central Kyoto. Just a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, her house sits in a quiet residential neighborhood with stunning views of the famous Mount Hiei. A passionate home cook, Michiyo loves experimenting with seasonal ingredients and recreating the unique flavors she discovers in her own style. Her love of cooking deepened during the five years she lived abroad, where she often hosted neighbors from around the world and taught them authentic Japanese dishes. She realized she was happiest when sharing food with others and, upon returning to Japan, refined her skills further at culinary school. Today, Michiyo enjoys welcoming travelers into her beautiful family home, where she shares not just delicious Japanese meals but also meaningful cultural exchange through the joy of cooking and eating together.

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: (1-3 guests) Michiyo will meet you at Otsukyo Station and drive you just three minutes to her welcoming home in Kyoto. Together with her husband, she invites you to experience Japanese hospitality through a memorable home-cooked meal. Michiyo values cooking with fresh, seasonal vegetables sourced from local farmers, bringing the best of Kyoto’s produce to your table. Your Japanese feast begins with a welcome drink, followed by authentic dishes such as nikujaga (slow-simmered meat with potatoes and vegetables), a delicate tofu side dish, and a comforting dashi-based soup. For the main course, you may enjoy colorful chirashi-sushi or perfectly crisp fried chicken seasoned with Japanese flavors. Share meaningful conversation over a traditional meal in a warm family setting, a true taste of everyday life in Kyoto. Michiyo and her husband also share their home with El, their gentle dachshund.

Cooking experience: (1-3 guests) After a brief introduction to the day’s menu, Michiyo will guide you through a hands-on Kyoto cooking class in her home kitchen. She loves sharing her expertise in Japanese cooking techniques that she has perfected over the years. During the class, you’ll learn how to make dashi stock, the essential base of Japanese cuisine, and prepare sushi rice to create a beautifully garnished chirashi-sushi in a traditional wooden bowl. The cooking portion lasts approximately 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to practice techniques and ask questions. Afterward, you’ll sit down together to enjoy the authentic Japanese meal you helped create, sharing conversation and cultural insights in Michiyo’s welcoming home.

Notes: If you choose the optional alcohol add-on (for an additional cost), Michiyo will serve local alcohol chosen to complement the flavors of your meal.

Languages spoken: Japanese,English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Nikujaga (slow-cooked meat with potatoes and seasonal vegetables)
  • Tofu side dish
  • Dashi-based soup
  • Chirashi-sushi or tender fried chicken flavored with Japanese ingredients

Traveler reviews

4.98 (59)
We received a wonderfully warm and welcoming reception from Michiyo and her husband. We immediately felt at ease, like we were at home. The class was clear, enjoyable, and very well explained. Michiyo shares her expertise with passion and generosity. It was a true pleasure to cook and learn alongside her. The meal was absolutely divine, bursting with flavor and finesse. A truly wonderful experience that we wholeheartedly recommend.
- marti February 15, 2026
I don’t typically cook often, but Michiyo explained everything well. The food was delicious, and I might even be able to make some of it at home. I really enjoyed trying traditional Japanese food and seeing how it is made.
- sally February 07, 2026
Michiyo and her husband Kenichi were incredible hosts. They were kind, helpful, and fun conversation partners. Because they host a maximum of 2 people in their home, the ~2 hour experience is intimate. Be prepared for a fun night of culture exchange as you make a traditional and delectable Japanese meal while you think about how soon you can come back to Japan!
- sam January 24, 2026
We were welcomed and sent off like family. This was not just an evening of cooking class with great food. This was an experience of good Japanese family heart.
- vicky January 18, 2026
I booked a cooking experience through Traveling Spoon with Michiyo in Kyoto. My husband and I had a truly wonderful time cooking an entire multi-course Japanese meal with Michiyo in her home. We both love to cook and felt that we learned a lot during our lesson. Michiyo explained and demonstrated the techniques and then let us cook with her. We made a rolled Japanese omlette, miso soup, spinach with a sesame dressing, marinated grilled salmon, and a hearty beef and vegetable stew. After we cooked we enjoyed eating the meal with Michiyo and her charming husband. We had a great time visiting with them--they both speak excellent English and are a warm and interesting couple. It was lovely to be welcomed into their home. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience. We both agree that it was a major highlight of our three week multi-city trip to Japan!
- Eleise November 19, 2025
Read More

Michiyo

$76-$94 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $94 $76 Not offered
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $94 $76 Not offered
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-1:30pm 4:30pm-7:30pm

Meet Michiyo

Michiyo’s bright, welcoming home offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of central Kyoto. Just a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, her house sits in a quiet residential neighborhood with stunning views of the famous Mount Hiei. A passionate home cook, Michiyo loves experimenting with seasonal ingredients and recreating the unique flavors she discovers in her own style. Her love of cooking deepened during the five years she lived abroad, where she often hosted neighbors from around the world and taught them authentic Japanese dishes. She realized she was happiest when sharing food with others and, upon returning to Japan, refined her skills further at culinary school. Today, Michiyo enjoys welcoming travelers into her beautiful family home, where she shares not just delicious Japanese meals but also meaningful cultural exchange through the joy of cooking and eating together.

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: (1-3 guests) Michiyo will meet you at Otsukyo Station and drive you just three minutes to her welcoming home in Kyoto. Together with her husband, she invites you to experience Japanese hospitality through a memorable home-cooked meal. Michiyo values cooking with fresh, seasonal vegetables sourced from local farmers, bringing the best of Kyoto’s produce to your table. Your Japanese feast begins with a welcome drink, followed by authentic dishes such as nikujaga (slow-simmered meat with potatoes and vegetables), a delicate tofu side dish, and a comforting dashi-based soup. For the main course, you may enjoy colorful chirashi-sushi or perfectly crisp fried chicken seasoned with Japanese flavors. Share meaningful conversation over a traditional meal in a warm family setting, a true taste of everyday life in Kyoto. Michiyo and her husband also share their home with El, their gentle dachshund.

Cooking experience: (1-3 guests) After a brief introduction to the day’s menu, Michiyo will guide you through a hands-on Kyoto cooking class in her home kitchen. She loves sharing her expertise in Japanese cooking techniques that she has perfected over the years. During the class, you’ll learn how to make dashi stock, the essential base of Japanese cuisine, and prepare sushi rice to create a beautifully garnished chirashi-sushi in a traditional wooden bowl. The cooking portion lasts approximately 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to practice techniques and ask questions. Afterward, you’ll sit down together to enjoy the authentic Japanese meal you helped create, sharing conversation and cultural insights in Michiyo’s welcoming home.

Notes: If you choose the optional alcohol add-on (for an additional cost), Michiyo will serve local alcohol chosen to complement the flavors of your meal.

Languages spoken: Japanese,English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Nikujaga (slow-cooked meat with potatoes and seasonal vegetables)
  • Tofu side dish
  • Dashi-based soup
  • Chirashi-sushi or tender fried chicken flavored with Japanese ingredients

Traveler reviews

4.98 (59)
We received a wonderfully warm and welcoming reception from Michiyo and her husband. We immediately felt at ease, like we were at home. The class was clear, enjoyable, and very well explained. Michiyo shares her expertise with passion and generosity. It was a true pleasure to cook and learn alongside her. The meal was absolutely divine, bursting with flavor and finesse. A truly wonderful experience that we wholeheartedly recommend.
- marti February 15, 2026
I don’t typically cook often, but Michiyo explained everything well. The food was delicious, and I might even be able to make some of it at home. I really enjoyed trying traditional Japanese food and seeing how it is made.
- sally February 07, 2026
Michiyo and her husband Kenichi were incredible hosts. They were kind, helpful, and fun conversation partners. Because they host a maximum of 2 people in their home, the ~2 hour experience is intimate. Be prepared for a fun night of culture exchange as you make a traditional and delectable Japanese meal while you think about how soon you can come back to Japan!
- sam January 24, 2026
We were welcomed and sent off like family. This was not just an evening of cooking class with great food. This was an experience of good Japanese family heart.
- vicky January 18, 2026
I booked a cooking experience through Traveling Spoon with Michiyo in Kyoto. My husband and I had a truly wonderful time cooking an entire multi-course Japanese meal with Michiyo in her home. We both love to cook and felt that we learned a lot during our lesson. Michiyo explained and demonstrated the techniques and then let us cook with her. We made a rolled Japanese omlette, miso soup, spinach with a sesame dressing, marinated grilled salmon, and a hearty beef and vegetable stew. After we cooked we enjoyed eating the meal with Michiyo and her charming husband. We had a great time visiting with them--they both speak excellent English and are a warm and interesting couple. It was lovely to be welcomed into their home. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience. We both agree that it was a major highlight of our three week multi-city trip to Japan!
- Eleise November 19, 2025
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $94 $76 Not offered
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $94 $76 Not offered
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-1:30pm 4:30pm-7:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.