Kyoto 無麩質 課程

This private tea ceremony was a highlight of our trip to Japan. The house and garden are lovely. The host, Naomi, shared the culture and tradition of the tea ceremony in a manner that was both respectful and accessible to visitors to Japan. We left feeling calm and refreshed. We highly recommend this tea ceremony!

A definite highlight of our trip to Japan. From the moment we walked in, Midori-san showed us great hospitality by serving us tea and sweets. She is very friendly and lively, and we felt right at home. She asked about our itinerary and gave us detailed recommendations. This was close to the end of our Japan trip, but I'd strongly recommend booking this near the start so you can benefit most from her suggestions! The cooking class was great and Midori-san was very patient and clear in her instructions. We made vegan onigiri, gyoza and ramen. The onigiri was surprisingly simple to make and we also received printouts of the recipe. After only being back in the US for a few days, I have already made onigiri for lunch. The gyoza and ramen were equally delicious. Make sure to come with an empty stomach! After we finished the food, she even walked us to a nearby supermarket so we could pick up the ingredients to make them at home. Overall, Midori-san went above and beyond to make this a great experience for us. There are of course many things to do in Kyoto, but as a tourist it's rare to be able to have an experience like this where you are welcomed inside a local's home. I strongly recommend this class.

This might easily have been my favorite activity of our Japanese trip! The host was absolutely wonderful, very friendly and easy to talk to. She clearly explained everything we needed to do to cook our meal. The meal was the best food we have had in Japan thus far! I highly recommend!

One of the highlights of our trip. Midori is very well informed and likes to share knowledge about the food and culture. She gives shopping tips not only for food items but also for other hobby-related stuff like knitting or sawing. She even took us to a local supermarket to show what products are available and where to get them. Because Midori prepared the easy stuff in advance the cooking class was able to cover 3 whole recipes with a lot of background info. We should have done the class in the beginning of our trip because of all the good tips. We wish Midori all the best!

Cooking with Aki was like spending the day with a treasured friend. We immediately felt a kinship with this welcoming and talented chef, who shared with us delicious local recipes passed down from her mother and grandmother, and traditional culinary techniques. We didn’t want the day to end! We can highly recommend Aki’s workshop to anyone curious to learn about authentic Japanese cuisine, regardless of their cooking skill level.

Loved the cooking class with Midori. I am gluten intolerant, not coeliac, she was able to accommodate and made sure all food was safe. We made onigiri, gyoza and katsudon, everything was delicious! Midori San is a great host and we had a lovely chat about a lot of things including Japanese cuisine and places to visit in or around Kyoto. I can definitely recommend!

This is a very enriching and culturally rich cooking course. I learned a lot about the principles of miso and fermentation. I highly recommend it to tourists visiting Kyoto.

Marie was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The tea and the fermented food tastings were excellent. She was a pleasure and we had a wonderful time.

We had a wonderful experience—Aki put all of us at ease, and she is a very talented cook and teacher. She had everything organized, and we were able to cook 4 delicious dishes which tasted better than restaurant food. Learning to cook in her lovely home was a real treat, and we highly recommend it!

Aki-san was an exceptionally warm and welcoming host and a very patient teacher. The class takes place in her home so there is a very homely and relaxed atmosphere. She managed to adapt her unique recipes to our group and walked us through each step. The experience was a highlight of our trip and we will definitely try to replicate her recipes at home.

From the moment we stepped into the private tea tasting, it felt like entering a completely different world—one defined by calm, care, and an almost reverent appreciation for tea. What truly elevated the entire experience, however, was our teacher. Their depth of knowledge was nothing short of astonishing. Every detail—from the origin of the leaves to the subtle differences in processing methods—was explained with such clarity and passion that it transformed each sip into a story. You could tell this wasn’t just expertise; it was a genuine love for the craft. The tea itself was absolutely exquisite. Each variety we sampled was more nuanced and flavorful than the last, with layers of aroma and taste I had never noticed before. The experience was paired with a thoughtfully prepared selection of food that complemented the teas beautifully. Every bite felt intentional, enhancing the tasting experience and making the whole session feel indulgent without being overwhelming. What surprised me most was just how fun it all was. This wasn’t a stiff or overly formal class—it was engaging, interactive, and filled with moments of delight and discovery. We laughed, asked questions, compared favorites, and left feeling not only more knowledgeable but genuinely inspired. All in all, this private tea tasting was an unforgettable experience and such a unique, enjoyable way to explore the world of tea. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone—even those who think they already know tea.

Midori and the class were amazing! We had such a great time learning how to cook traditional Japanese foods and about the Japanese culture. Midori was not just helpful with cooking skills; also so helpful recommending places to visit and experience during our time in Japan. We had a fun time and the food we made was delicious! Highly recommend Midori’s Kyoto Kitchen cooking class. Thank you, Midori! Arigato gozaimasu!