Homestyle Cooking Class at a 600-Year-Old Shrine in Tokyo

Kumano Shrine sits nestled in a quiet residential area in the southern Ota ward of Tokyo. Originally built during the 14th century, it has become a fixture in the local community, with many shrine parishioners gathering on the grounds to pray, for festivals or to celebrate the new year. You can step inside this historical shrine to make several classic Japanese homestyle dishes in this Tokyo cooking class. You’ll learn from an experienced instructor who has taught Japanese cooking to over 1,000 students online. You’ll start by learning how dashi (soup stock), a foundational building block for many Japanese dishes, is made. Let the umami aromas surround you as the konbu (kelp) and katsuo bonito flakes are combined to create a central ingredient for your dishes. Next, you’ll learn to make dashimaki tamago (dashi rolled omelet). Your host will demonstrate how the egg is delicately rolled before you give it a try yourself. The dashi infuses the egg with a rich umami flavor that fills your mouth with every bite. Finally, you’ll craft your onigiri. Using fresh seafood and bonito flakes, you’ll learn the techniques of filling and molding the onigiri into its recognizable shape. With your dishes complete, it’s time to sit down and enjoy your creations in a traditionally styled Japanese room. Miso soup and a bottle of green tea will be provided for a hearty and delicious homestyle spread. When you leave the shrine, you’ll receive English recipes, ensuring you can make these delicious dishes again at home.