Japan’s 12 Best Cooking Classes with a Sake Pairing

1.Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $79Our pick

At Sushi Making Tokyo in Tsukishima, Sato, Alex, Kaori, Taka, or another class leader guides you through sushi, ramen broth, and sake pairing. The three-hour class includes ingredients, drinks, and your meal, with a maximum of eight people and a river-facing setting.

“An excellent experience. We’ve never done anything like this before but our hosts made us feel immediately at ease. Informative and laid back - they took us from being sous-chefs to sushi masters within a couple of hours. The ramen was less hands on though more customisable - both tasted great. Some good sake choices too.”

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2.Tokyo Washoku 4-hour Cooking Class: From Market to Table

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · from $79

Start near Iriya Station with a supermarket visit led by a local guide such as April, Yuri, or Alice. Choose Japanese ingredients, then cook makisushi, miso soup, dashimaki tamago, and nasu dengaku in a small-group studio. Recipes go home with you, and sake or beer may join the meal.

“Nigiri was a very good teacher. She was happy to share her knowledge of cooking ingredients. I got to do a lot of hands on cooking and the recipes were tasty and not complicated. I am looking forward to trying them at home.”

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3.Kyoto: Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 3 hours · from $67

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in central Kyoto learning home-style izakaya dishes with English-speaking instructors such as Yumi and Yumiko. You cook in two rounds, eat what you make, and take home clear recipes for dishes including okonomiyaki, dashi-based foods, savory plates, and dessert.

“This was so much fun! Our instructors were so nice and helpful, the food was delicious, and very authentic. I would highly recommend to anyone that is interested in a Japanese cooking class!”

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4.Izakaya Style Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $71

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in Kyoto learning dashi, sauces, and seasonal izakaya dishes with an English-speaking instructor. You prepare several home-style recipes, eat the meal together, and take the recipes home. Groups are capped at eight.

“Lots of fun cooking many dishes. Well thought out with plenty of cooking assistance. I have allergies and they accommodated me perfectly.”

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5.Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Meet Momo, a sake sommelier and former brewer, at MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba. You will cook takoyaki with fillings such as octopus, wagyu beef, cheese, kimchi, and corn, then compare seasonal sake with expert guidance. The small group is capped at six and runs for two hours.

“Momo was excellent. We were made to feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. The Sake tasting was informative and delicious. We learnt so much from this evening. Our takoyaki was such a fun thing to make and was extremely tasty. We would totally recommend this class to any newcomer to Japan. So enjoyable. Would give it 6 🌟 if possible.”

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6.Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $72

Join Momoko, a certified sake sommelier, in a small Osaka kitchen near Dotonbori. You’ll learn how sake is made, taste seasonal varieties, and cook takoyaki from scratch with options such as octopus, Wagyu, and cheese. Afternoon and evening sessions are available.

“Momoko shared her passion for Japanese sake and takoyaki with us in a wonderfully creative way! Cooking takoyaki was a great hands-on experience and her choose your own adventure approach towards trying different sake makes sure you have the best time possible! I would recommend this to all individuals regardless of your previous sake knowledge as you're likely to learn something new or just have fun connecting about a shared passion.”

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7.Tokyo: Sushi and Ramen Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

In Tsukishima, learn ramen broth, chashu pork, and nigiri sushi in a friendly three-hour class led by English-speaking instructors including Sato, Haruko, and Risa. You’ll taste three selected sakes, receive recipes and chopsticks, and enjoy a small group capped at eight people.

“This experience was very intimate and fun. Misa and Luna were so informative and kind. They gave us a pop quiz which encouraged us to work together. I recommend this to everyone looking for a great meal made from actual locals!!”

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8.Osaka Cooking Class and Sake Tasting with Local Supermarket Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $92

Start at FamilyMart near Minamimorimachi Station with a local guide such as Yuka or Mari, shop for ingredients, then make niku-sui, okonomiyaki, and gyoza. The four-hour class is hands-on, beginner-friendly, limited to seven people, and finishes with sake, beer, or soft drinks.

“Mari was so great explaining what to shop for when making the different recipes. It was a hands on experience for everyone and the food turned out delicious!! We enjoyed the saki tasting too! It was fun and memorable experience!!”

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9.Tokyo Night Cooking Class: 5 Home-Cooked Japanese Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $79

Meet near Iriya at 5:30 pm for a three-hour class led by a MagicalTrip guide such as Alice or Fuji. Shop for ingredients, cook five home-style izakaya dishes, and enjoy dinner with three alcoholic or soft drinks. Vegetarian cooking is available, but vegan and gluten-free diets cannot be accommodated.

“Super host & guide, fun and easy recipes to reproduce at home, had a great time! Fuji was great to explain every step and the food and drinks were very good!”

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10.Tokyo: Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 55 reviews · from $112

Meet near Iriya Station for a four-hour English-language class led by guides such as Tiger, Suzy, Taka, or Fuji. Shop at a local supermarket, prepare sushi and home-style dishes, taste four sakes, and take home the recipes.

“the location description made it very easy to find. Suzy was amazing. explaining everything and helping me make the most from this experience. I will take my new found skills and torture my friends now by making them eat everything I've now learnt to make. 😁”

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11.Tokyo Sushi Making Class : Sake Ceremony & Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $45Best value

In Asakusa, you’ll open a sake barrel with a group toast, shape nigiri and rolls, torch salmon mayo gunkan, and whisk matcha. An instructor guides each step, with water or warm tea available instead of sake. You’ll make 6 to 12 pieces and finish at the same meeting point.

“What a brilliant experience! The instructor was so fun, welcoming and knowledgeable. Completely exceeded my expectations. It was an amazing, relaxing and special activity to do. Thank you for going above and beyond for me!”

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12.Osaka: Cooking Class & Sake Tasting with Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Join an English-speaking guide such as Chie, Eri, or Akko for a supermarket visit and hands-on cooking class near Minami Morimachi. Prepare niku-sui, okonomiyaki, and gyoza, enjoy three canned drinks, and take home recipes for easy cooking.

“Our instructor was Chie & she was amazing. She was so fun & friendly. She made it such an enjoyable experience for my friend group. A bonus was all the history she taught us about Japans different areas. The food was delicious! We really enjoyed going to the market prior to starting the class. You can tell that Chie really loves what she does and really enjoys teaching people. Would absolutely recommend her to anyone!!! Just book this experience!”

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