Take a Japanese Cooking Class in a Traditional Townhouse

Learn to make authentic, vegetarian home cooking and enjoy sake tasting in a historic residence

Step back in time in Mino City, a merchant town that thrived on its trade in washi (traditional Japanese paper) during the Edo period (1603-1867) and Meiji period (1868-1912). Washi is still used today, and you can take in its elegance by viewing the many paper lanterns decorating the streets. There are townhouses in Mino that were built over in the Meiji period and have been renovated for daily use today. You have the opportunity to learn how to make Japanese home-style dishes at one of these traditional merchant houses.

Your cooking class at Yamamotoya will be created with locally produced ingredients, and is also vegetarian-friendly, as the meal does not include meat or fish. As your local guide shows you around the kitchen, providing explanations using a translation device, she will also passionately teach you about the town’s rich culture and history.

In addition to cooking, you will also learn how to properly set a table in Japan, using antique tableware that, like the townhouse, has been cherished for years, as well as lacquerware and Mino washi. With your newly acquired table manners, rest assured you can avoid future faux pas if you are invited to a Japanese home.

Additionally, this class provides a wonderful opportunity to taste locally brewed sake. After your meal, you will be able to sip on non-alcoholic amazake, a thick, creamy drink. You will be sure to walk away with a full belly and a deeper understanding of regional life and how it is connected with the local cuisine.

Access: From Nagoya Station, take the Rapid Ogaki train to Gifu Station (about 19 minutes), then take the Gifu Bus to the Mino Shiyakusho-mae (City Hall) stop (about one hour four minutes) and walk for about 10 minutes to Yamatoya.

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya Station (about one hour and 40 minutes), then take the train to Gifu Station (about 20 minutes). Take a bus to Mino Shiyakusho-mae (about one hour and 10 minutes), then walk for about 10 minutes.

Yamamotoya