Shizuoka 和食 美食体验

This experience takes place in the original restaurant from Edo times that is 15 generations old! You become a part of history and here, they treat you like family! The owner, who was also our host, greeted us and explained to us the history behind the restaurant and his family. We were his first foreign guests and he admitted he was excited and a little bit nervous. It was comforting to know we weren't alone in feeling that way which immediately put our nerves at ease. We were then introduced to our instructor, Meguka (I could be wrong about the spelling). She spoke a little english and taught the class primarily in english. She was patient, kind and attentive. The dishes that were served during the experience were generous. Everything was sourced locally and each dish was made from some form of the yam (tororo) which was what the experience was centered around. Everything was delicious and nothing like we've ever eaten before. We were served hot, green tea with our meal and at the end, they served ice cream that is handmade in the restaurant. I chose the miso flavor and it was exquisite! You will not leave this experience hungry. We left with our bellies and hearts full! We loved it and will definitely be booking more experiences like this next time we go back to Japan.

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.

A calm, hands-on experience that connects food with regional history. Learning about tororo-jiru while making it ourselves felt meaningful and authentic. A short visual intro about its history would enhance the experience.

A very personal and welcoming experience that felt more like visiting locals than joining a tour. Enjoying matcha and wagashi alongside live shamisen music was a highlight. The hosts shared stories about the area that made the meal feel meaningful. The atmosphere was calm, intimate, and authentic. A lovely choice for travelers seeking cultural connection rather than typical tourist activities.

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.

Making tororo-jiru by hand at this historic post town was an unforgettable experience. Grating yam using traditional tools gave me a real appreciation for how much care goes into this simple-looking dish. The guide was warm, open, and spoke excellent English, making the history and process easy to understand. Knowing this dish has been served here for centuries added depth to the meal. This is a rare opportunity to experience a beloved local food that many foreigners—and even Japanese—don’t know well.

This experience combined local Shizuoka dishes with cultural elements in a warm, relaxed setting. The hosts were friendly and communicated well in English, making it easy to follow along. The shamisen performance added a special cultural touch to the meal. The food felt homemade and rooted in the region. It works especially well when paired with other nearby sightseeing.