Shizuoka Gluten-free Cooking Classes

Tomoko greeted us at the door and was very friendly, gracious and kind, despite that we were obviously foreign. We had a group of three and only I spoke a little Japanese . After greeting us, she took us upstairs, had a spot where we could place our belongings and saw that she had already set up three different stations for us. She asked for a group picture first-which we were happy to oblige, asked where we were from and then we jumped right in. All instructions and the entirety of the tour was in Japanese. However, we had no trouble understanding and communicating with each other. If anything, it added more to the experience and surprisingly, made it more enjoyable. There were no awkward silences or moments of confusion. Tomoko took cues from our body language and facial expressions as we did hers and it was a phenomenal experience! Portions were generous and she served cold, refreshing tea that she diligently refilled each time our glasses got close to being empty. Tomoko did everything herself. From setting up the stations to teaching and guiding the tour and breaking down each station while we were enjoying our meals. She was efficient but also attentive to our needs. At the end of our experience, she gifted us with handmade boxes made of obi and tins of ceremonial green tea. She also gave us a bonus item she called "a gift" which was a place mat she made from kimono. We loved our tour with Tomoko and I recommend everyone experience this. You will not regret it!

A very approachable and well-structured experience, even for beginners. Each step—from tempura frying to matcha preparation—was carefully explained, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The use of Shizuoka ingredients throughout clearly highlighted the region’s food culture. Having simple visual instructions in English would make it even easier to follow and recreate at home. Overall, a unique and rewarding local experience.

This experience offered a perfect balance of food, culture, and hands-on learning, all rooted in Shizuoka’s local traditions. Frying sakura shrimp kakiage, making rice balls with local rice and tea leaves, and preparing matcha ourselves made the experience deeply immersive. Every ingredient felt meaningful and truly local. The warm guidance and thoughtful souvenir at the end made it even more memorable. This is a wonderful choice for travelers looking for an authentic, interactive food experience beyond typical sightseeing.