Cute and colorful, Japanese bento are appetizing and beautifully presented, with a delightful variety of flavors. In this class, you’ll not be making just any bento, however — you’ll be making a cute and colorful kyaraben, or character bento, a cute packed lunch featuring adorable characters.

Octopus-shaped sausages, little faces made of seaweed, and other Japanese food classics with a fun twist are some of the items on the menu that your instructor, Chieko, has prepared for this experience. Get ready to make kawaii versions of some of Japan’s most beloved home foods. You might have seen many of these dishes in anime films and TV!

Your host will teach you how to make cute faces out of seaweed, and show you the many little shapes that can be made with ham and eggs to elevate your bento game and make it more kawaii. Best of all, the home cooking skills you learn during this class can be applied to make any other character bento — once you know the basics, you’ll feel both confident and inspired to unleash your creativity and have fun with your bento creations.

This class will conveniently take place in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most bustling neighborhoods, packed with exciting attractions and vibrant with neon light signs. The exact location will be provided after booking.