Kanazawa Home Cooking Class
Local culinary classes japan in a traditional Kanazawa townhouse

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Japanese home cooking?

  • Japanese home cooking refers to everyday dishes traditionally prepared and shared in Japanese households. Unlike formal kaiseki cuisine or restaurant dishes, home cooking often focuses on seasonal ingredients, simple cooking techniques and a balanced combination of rice, soup, a main dish and side dishes. This class introduces the food culture that Japanese families enjoy in everyday life.

• What is ichiju-sansai?

  • Ichiju-sansai is a traditional Japanese meal structure. It generally consists of rice, one soup and three accompanying dishes, including a main dish and side dishes. The concept creates balance through different ingredients, cooking methods, flavors, textures and colors. During this Japanese home cooking class, you will experience the principles of ichiju-sansai through the dishes you prepare and eat.

• What dishes will we cook?

  • The menu changes according to the season and availability of ingredients. Typical dishes may include freshly cooked rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki rolled omelet, tempura or tatsuta-age, seasonal vegetable dishes and other foods commonly enjoyed in Japanese homes. Whenever possible, local Kanazawa ingredients are incorporated into the menu.

• Is this different from a typical Japanese cooking class?

  • Yes. The focus is not simply on learning individual Japanese recipes. This experience introduces everyday Japanese food culture, including ichiju-sansai, dashi, seasonal ingredients, tableware, food customs and the way meals are shared in Japanese homes. The class also takes place in a traditional Kanazawa machiya rather than a commercial cooking studio.

• Do I need cooking experience?

  • No. No previous cooking experience is required. The instructor will demonstrate the techniques and guide you through each step, making the class suitable for beginners as well as travelers who already enjoy cooking.

• Will I learn how to make Japanese dashi?

  • Depending on the menu, you will learn about dashi and its importance in Japanese cooking. Dashi is an umami-rich stock used as the foundation of many Japanese dishes, including miso soup. Understanding dashi is one of the best ways to understand the basic principles of Japanese cuisine.

• Do you use local Kanazawa ingredients?

  • Yes. We use seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Ingredients may include traditional Kaga vegetables and other products associated with Kanazawa and Ishikawa. The exact ingredients change with the season.

• What are Kaga vegetables?

  • Kaga vegetables are traditional varieties that have been cultivated in the Kanazawa area for generations. Depending on the season, examples may include Kaga lotus root, Goro-jima sweet potato and kinjiso. They are an important part of Kanazawa's local food culture.

• Where do the ingredients come from?

  • Many seasonal ingredients are sourced locally, including from Omicho Market, which has served as Kanazawa's central food market for more than 300 years. Ingredient selection changes according to season and availability.

• Do we visit Omicho Market during this experience?

  • No. This Japanese Home Cooking Class takes place at IN KANAZAWA HOUSE and does not include an Omicho Market tour. If you would like to explore the market with a local food expert before cooking, we also offer our Kanazawa Cooking Class & Omicho Market Tour.

• Can vegetarians join the cooking class?

  • Please inform us of your dietary requirements when making your reservation. Vegetarian options may be arranged depending on the menu and ingredient availability. We recommend contacting us in advance so that we can confirm what is possible.

• Can you accommodate food allergies?

  • Please provide detailed information about any food allergies when booking. We will review the menu and ingredients and let you know whether the experience can be safely adapted. Depending on the allergy, complete avoidance of cross-contamination may not be possible.

• Is the cooking class suitable for children?

  • Families are welcome. Because the experience includes cooking equipment, knives and hot surfaces, the level of hands-on participation may vary according to the child's age. Please let us know the ages of participating children when booking.

• Is this experience suitable for people who do not usually cook?

  • Yes. The purpose is not to test cooking skills but to experience Japanese food culture. Beginners can participate while learning simple techniques that can also be used at home.

• ​Is the Japanese home cooking class available in English?

  • Yes. The experience is available in English and Japanese. Other languages may be arranged with an additional guide, subject to availability.

• Where does the cooking class take place?

  • The experience takes place at IN KANAZAWA HOUSE, a restored traditional machiya townhouse in Kanazawa. The building was formerly used as both a residence and a dyeing workshop, providing a setting that feels closer to a traditional Japanese home than a commercial cooking studio.

• What is a Japanese machiya?

  • A machiya is a traditional Japanese townhouse. Kanazawa still retains many historic machiya buildings, which reflect the architecture and everyday lifestyle of the city's past. Experiencing home cooking inside a machiya adds another cultural dimension to the class.

• How long is the Japanese home cooking class?

  • The complete experience takes approximately 90 minutes, including cooking and enjoying the meal together.