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Japanese food or washoku is as diverse as it is delicious. Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, washoku represents more than just nourishment, but thousands of years' worth or tradition, craftsmanship, and art within Japanese culture. As such, there is no better way to fully experience Japanese food than to get your hands dirty and make some yourself! Here are just a few ways to experience washoku first hand as you travel in Japan.
<h7>Iya Soba, Tokushima</h7>
Although there are many different regional variations on the beloved buckwheat noodle, Iya soba is much thicker with a higher ratio of buckwheat and almost no flour filler making it stand out from other soba in Japan. Located in the Tokushima prefecture in Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, Iya Valley is a secluded collection of mountain villages that turned to potato and buckwheat cultivation to sustain them in an area that could not adequately grow rice. Warm and welcoming local establishments such as Iyajiman offer travelers the chance to try their hand at creating Iya soba themselves. Their efforts are rewarded with a tasty lunch and a memorable experience.
For more information: https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/5626
<h7>Kanazawa Wagashi, Ishikawa</h7>
The artisan city of Kanazawa is renowned for its talented craftsman and artisanal goods which is why it is no surprise that it offers plenty of hands on craft experiences. For this reason, Kanazawa is a perfect place to try the delicate art of sculpting Japanese sweets known as wagashi. Made mostly of pounded colored rice and sweet bean paste, wagashi are meticulously sculpted using a variety of hand tools to create beautiful representations of flowers, fruits, and other symbols of the season. This is a fun, creative outlet for all ages and makes a perfect souvenir for friends and family.
For more information: http://visitkanazawa.jp/thingstodo/experience/11
<h7>Tsukiji Sushi, Tokyo</h7>
Each year, thousands of people flock to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo in the early hours of the morning to watch energetic chefs bid for the choicest tuna. Although this is an experience not to be missed, there is another way to get up close and personal with Tsukiji’s high quality fish that doesn't require a 2:00 am wake up call. Visitors to the world's biggest fish market can learn the precise art of sushi making from a master sushi chef and enjoy the spoils of their labor with a delicious sushi lunch. Facilities such as the Tokyo Sushi Academy offer easy step by step instructions so visitors of all ages can try their hand at being a sushi chef.
For More Information: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/workshop/SD039/
<h7>Yokohama Cup Noodle, Kanagawa</h7>
The brain child of inventor Momofuku Ando in 1958, instant ramen or CUPNOODLES is a more recent incarnation of the ramen noodle that has become popular worldwide. At Yokohama's CUPNOODLES Museum, visitors can learn about the history and evolution of the well-known instant snack but the real fun is the My CUPNOODLES Factory. Here, instant ramen enthusiasts can design their own custom cup and fill it with any assortment of flavors and toppings to produce their own unique CUPNOODLES creation. Afterwards, the cups are sealed and packaged so they can be taken home making it a great unique souvenir for friends, family, or hungry college students.
For More Information: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/yokohama/attractions/mc-factory/
