Washoku: Seasonal Japanese Home Cooking Class in Nagoya

Designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Japanese cuisine (washoku) is closely tied to nature, incorporating seasonal ingredients into aesthetic dishes that please all senses. If you've eaten out in Japan, you might have had your first encounter with washoku, but what better way to gain a deeper appreciation of it than learning how to cook it? Unsure where to start? Your hosts are here to help. Cooking specialists and licensed nutritionists Yuka and Hitomi studied at various culinary institutes across Japan, have traveled extensively (Yuka has been to 25 countries!), and are passionate about sharing their love for Japanese culture through food. While Aichi Prefecture is best known for housing the headquarters of Toyota or for the more recently-opened Ghibli Park, it also has a lesser-known unique local gourmet scene. After a brief introduction and a walk through the recipes, you’ll have a chance to sample some of Aichi Prefecture’s popular seasonings and Japanese soup stock (dashi) made using traditional methods. Then, you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn how to make a washoku meal consisting of five popular dishes: miso soup, rolled Japanese-style omelet (dashimaki tamago), a main dish of either chicken or fish, rice, and Japanese sweets (wagashi). Each dish will feature consciously selected high-quality ingredients reflecting the region’s best offerings. Sip on matcha, feast on the fruits of your labor with your classmates, and don't forget to take photos at the end to remember the experience. Experience flow: -Meet your hosts at Takaoka Station or go directly to the cooking studio (5-minute walk from Takaoka Sta.) -Class and recipe introduction -Aichi Prefecture dashi and seasonings tasting -Cooking class -Eat your washoku meal and take photos You'll receive a take-home recipe booklet to recreate this washoku experience again with friends and family.