The Best Cooking Classes in Japan for Kids and Families
Last Updated on March 15, 2025 by Kay
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If you’re visiting Japan or even living in the country, you might be interested in taking a cooking class. It’s a great way to learn about Japanese culture, take home useful skills as a souvenir, and enjoy something delicious at the very end of the class.
I also think these classes are a great option on rainy or hot days, or even if you’re happening to be traveling during a busy period in Japan such as Golden Week.
But when it comes to families with kids, what is the best option for a cooking class in Japan?
In this article, I’ll share several great family-friendly cooking classes in Japan that are perfect for all ages.
Note that all classes are in English or have English support (easy English manuals or an interpreter, etc) depending on the class.
Table of Contents
Cooking Classes in Tokyo for Kids and Families
Wagyu Beef Class
Learn how to prepare wagyu beef so that it’s always juicy and delectable. You’ll also learn how to make seven other dishes!
And if your child hasn’t tried wagyu before, if they like steak, they will love it. My daughter had her first piece of wagyu when she was 1.5 years old and she hasn’t looked back since!
For this class, children ages five and under are free.
Soba Class
Soba noodles are both nutritious and delicious. My daughter absolutely loves them (although I can see them being a little bland for kids having them for the first time.
In this class, you can learn to make gourmet soba from the chairman of the Soba Preservation Association of Japan — how many people can say they did that?!
Sushi Class
Discover how to make sushi in Tokyo’s most famous sushi district from a sushi chef! Kids will absolutely love this hands-on experience.
Taiyaki Class
Taiyaki are sweet pastries shaped like fish and filled with red bean paste, custard, or other delicious fillings.
My daughter is a huge fan of these desserts so I imagine other kids will love them as well!
In this class, you and your kids can learn how to make these delectable desserts and customize your own!
Children ages five and under are free.
Wondering what else to do in Tokyo with kids? I’ve got you covered!
Cooking Classes in Osaka for Kids and Families
Okonomiyaki or Takoyaki Class
Some of Osaka’s most famous foods that you need to try when visiting the city include okonomiyaki and takoyaki. My daughter absolutely loves both and we have takoyaki parties at home all the time!
So why not take a class where you can learn how to make one of these famous dishes in their city of origin? You’ll also get taken on a tour of local shops in the area.
For children ages six and up, you might want to join this cooking class where you can choose to make a grilled ginger pork meal, kushikatsu (another Osaka specialty), takoyaki, or a bento lunch box.
Miso Class
Learn how to make miso, a staple in Japanese cooking, at Osaka’s oldest miso shop. You will also learn how to use the miso to create a full meal, which you can enjoy afterward. Children under age six can join the class but their meal won’t be included. (From my experience, I have no trouble sharing a meal with my five-year-old daughter, though.)
Ramen and Gyoza Class
When you think of Japanese food, it’s likely that ramen and gyoza are some of the first dishes that come to mind.
Both are favorites of my daughter — in fact, on her third birthday, she asked to have gyoza!
Gyoza is also super easy to make at home, especially after you’ve learned how to make it from an expert.
And we all know how to make instant ramen but how many people can say they know how to make ramen from scratch?!
This class on how to make ramen is run by a father and children ages seven and up are welcome to join in.
If you have a child who is age six or up, there’s also this 3-hour class in Osaka where they can do Japanese tea ceremony on top of making sushi and ramen!
Kay’s Tip: There’s an amazing indoor playground in Dotonbori, Osaka, that lets kids make their own sushi for an additional cost!
Discover other things to do in Osaka with kids!
Cooking Classes in Kyoto for Kids and Families
Wagashi Class
If you’re in Kyoto, you should absolutely take a wagashi class, where you can learn how to make traditional Japanese sweets that are local to the historical city. I’ve written a detailed article all about my experience taking different wagashi classes with my child so make sure to give it a read to learn more!
Obanzai Class
Obanzai is a well-balanced set meal from Kyoto containing different small dishes. The ingredients are usually sourced from Kyoto and are typically parts of food that people don’t use in cooking.
You also get to learn about Japanese ceramic pottery that’s used to plate the dishes.
Note that children must be at least 12 years old to participate.
Bento Class
In this class, you’ll learn how to make an authentic Japanese bento box lunch. Many of these dishes, such as tempura and maki sushi, can be served for dinner as well!
Children ages 6-12 need to pay for the experience but children ages five and under are free!
Ramen Noodle-Making Class
This is a perfect cooking class for children ages five and up. They can learn how to make fresh ramen noodles from scratch from a professional chef.
Find out more about what to do in Kyoto with kids!