Matsuri, or traditional Japanese festivals, are lively events where you can enjoy sizzling, flavorful street foods such as okonomiyaki (savory Japanese cabbage pancake) and takoyaki (balls of batter filled with octopus pieces). You can find numerous street food stalls touting these savory snacks near the festival, surrounded by a warm, zesty aroma that wafts by and draws you closer.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for a festival to enjoy these delicious foods — during your next trip to the Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Odawara, or Kamakura areas, you can stop by this nearby class in the town of Ninomiya, Kanagawa, to learn how to make matsuri food. In this class, you’ll learn how to make okonomiyaki and takoyaki alongside the classic miso soup.

Osaka-style okonomiyaki is a savory cabbage pancake, usually filled with seafood or meat. “Okonomiyaki” means “grilled as you like it,” which references its versatility. Add shrimp, squid, octopus, oyster, or whatever your heart desires! The cooking instructor will select some fresh seasonal ingredients so you can taste the best of Japan’s offerings.

Takoyaki is another dish hailing from Osaka. “Tako” means octopus, as there are chopped pieces of octopus in each ball of batter. A special kitchen appliance is used to form these perfect balls of dough. At matsuri street food stalls, you can see how these balls are expertly turned and formed right before your eyes, but in this class, you can try making them yourself! No matter the season, it's always matsuri time in this unique class.