KYOTO
Kyoto’s most-loved days out.
The 15 most popular workshops in Kyoto. What each one involves, how long it runs, what it costs, and who you book with.
A 45-minute Kyoto tea ceremony lesson with a licensed Urasenke tea master, hands-on matcha, sweets, and kimono add-ons near Kinkakuji.
Most Popular“Very good experience. The guide was amazing! Only slight note was that it did feel quite rushed, both in and out of the experience. The ceremony itself was incredible! Would definitely recommend.”
Make ramen noodles from scratch at Ramen Factory in Kyoto. Small group class, customizable toppings, and included lunch.
“Even though making ramen is not very intricate or complicated, especially when you have one minute versions - the class was fun and interesting!”
Make chopsticks in Kyoto Gion with a traditional hand plane, choose Japanese wood, and optionally engrave your name for a useful souvenir.
“Great time and personal souvenir to take home. Very nice people and explained everything. Chopsticks amazing!”
Learn Kenbu in Kyoto with a small-group samurai sword class, costume photo session, and a bonus sword-dance performance.
“Very fun! Got to learn some basic katana strikes, dressed up and took some photos. Then there was a mini kenbu show which highlighted the art of the samurai vs the combat”
Kyoto ramen cooking class at a ramen factory: make noodles from flour, mix miso/salt/soy sauces, and take home a souvenir and recipe.
“Very fun and good teacher, the guide hero was very nice and informative. She even went with us to the supermarket to show us what miso to buy!!”
A 1-hour Kyoto dojo ninja lesson with outfit rental, meditation basics, and hands-on throwing and sword practice in a small group.
“Great experience with my wife and 7 year old daughter! Everyone had a blast. dressing up like a ninja, blowing darts, secret rooms, throwing ninja stars, walking in dark on a floor with spikes (don’t worry Sho will show you how to avoid them; ninja walk!). Great overall experience! I wish we had booked the…”
Make Kyoto ramen broth, pan-fried gyoza, and onigiri in 90 minutes. English guides, small group, vegetarian option, eat what you cook.
“I can highly recommend this ramen cooking class! The organization and preparation were absolutely outstanding – everything was perfectly planned, well-structured, and thoughtfully arranged. The cooking instructors were incredibly friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. Their warm and welcoming attitude created a relaxed and motivating atmosphere where you felt comfortable from the very beginning. The instructions for…”
Learn Kyoto sushi with Kana in a small class of 8, make nigiri and maki, eat your creations, and take home tools and notes.
“Atelier Sushi is the best! Our sushi making class was pleasant, fun, engaging, and we felt like we can now make nigiri and maki at home. We appreciated the souvenir gift bag with class notes, sushi mat and chopsticks.”
Make a Kyoto bento box from scratch: tempura, dashi, and knife skills in a small class, ending with a satisfying meal.
“Chef Rie is a great teacher, passionate about cooking and very knowledgeable. The class was very informative and fun, and the food itself was delicious. We had a great time!”
Hands-on Kyoto ramen and gyoza class with professional chefs. Make noodles, wrap gyoza, enjoy a full meal with drinks and recipes.
“Please see my other post. Meant to write here. Yuki our host was great !!! Food was great !!!!!!!!!!!”
Cook classic Kyoto izakaya home dishes in an English-taught afternoon class at Cooking Sun, with recipes you can repeat back home.
“This was so much fun! Our instructors were so nice and helpful, the food was delicious, and very authentic. I would highly recommend to anyone that is interested in a Japanese cooking class!”
Spend 3 hours in Kyoto learning izakaya-style cooking, including dashi and seasoning, then sit down to dinner you made yourself.
“This was so fun. Our hosts were so kind and helped us make a delicious meal. One of the highlights of our trip.”
Small-group ninja training in Kyoto with Kuji-In meditation, breathing and weapon skills, plus ninja outfits and same-day photos.
“This was such a great experience. It was really fun and interesting. I would highly recommend this experience.”
Make gyoza from scratch in a Kyoto townhouse. Learn wrapping and cooking, meet an English-speaking instructor, then optional samurai photos.
“What a special evening in Kyoto this was! Our kids enjoyed it so much and we made a wonderful family memory making delicious gyoza.”
Cook Kyoto-style bento from scratch at Cooking Sun. Hands-on chef guidance, seasonal menu, lunch, and take-home recipes for $71.35.
“It was great fun. Got to prepare a variety of dishes and learn more about japanese cuisine. Everything was very tasty.”
Every district, every season, and every way to see the old capital.
