Top Kyoto Dining Experiences

Initia Japanese Cooking Class is a great way to learn how to make traditional Japanese dishes in English. We are teaching Japanese cooking at our home in Kyoto, near Kyoto station. We focus on what local Japanese people really cook and eat, including our family! Our another goal is to share local experience with you by talking, by inviting you to a local's home. Our home isn't fancy but ordinary home. Instead, you can feel how Japanese house is.

Our service is unique in that it is always “tourist-friendly.” The price is clear(USD 200 or JPY 22,000). We do not close bookings until 3 PM on the show day and not have a minimum number of participants. You can decide today to join the dinner without any possibility of cancellation. Also, the MC is a Kyoto-city official guide and our sophisticated program will never get you bored. This makes this dinner experience immersable. Time flies while you are enjoying the graceful dances, traditional party games, Q&A sessions, talking with Maiko in person and the Japanese set menu called “Kaiseki.” Photos and movies are ALL-YOU-CAN-SHOOT. You will have a memorable night with us!

■Kaiseki Dinner with beautiful garden view ■Geisha entertainment ■Photo with Geisha in the room and the garden! ■Fun Fun Fun! Floating bamboo noodle(Nagashi soumen noodle) available from mid April to early September ( rained off)

Maiko is art (mainly dance and music) performer who entertains guest and bring up the atmosphere during a banquet or similar event. Being a Maiko is a process that one has to experience to be a Geiko. Maiko is hardly walk around the city during the day. Most of them is working on Ochaya that apply the rule of not accepting first timer. Therefore, if one sees Maiko during the day, he or she is considered very lucky. However, there is also high possibility that the one that they see is not the real Maiko, but, tourist who dress up as Maiko.

① You can meet a real maiko that you will not easily meet! ② There is a gift of “Sensha Bill”, a mascot of Maiko's business card! ③ You can shoot two shots next to the maiko! ④Speaking of maiko, Kyoto dance! 流 The school is different depending on the flower district, so it's interesting to watch! 直接 You can listen directly to the Maiko's daily schedule and why she became a Maiko! ⑥You can enjoy the “Ojiki play” where the maiko is playing in the parlor! ⑦ You can enjoy time with Kyoto kaiseki cuisine with Maiko!

Maiko is art (mainly dance and music) performer who entertains guest and bring up the atmosphere during a banquet or similar event. Being a Maiko is a process that one has to experience to be a Geiko. Maiko is hardly walk around the city during the day. Most of them is working on Ochaya that apply the rule of not accepting first timer. Therefore, if one sees Maiko during the day, he or she is considered very lucky. However, there is also high possibility that the one that they see is not the real Maiko, but, tourist who dress up as Maiko.

■Kaiseki Dinner with beautiful garden view ■Geisha entertainment ■Enjoy authentic beautiful Japanese architecture ■photo with Geisha in the garden ※Floating bamboo noodle(Nagashi soumen noodle) available from mid April to early September. ※Mochi pounding is also available.　 ※Tea ceremony is available at the tea house in the garden

Zazen takes place in a reserved tatami room where participants can practice in an exclusive environment. Participants gain understanding of Zen. This is recommended for beginner participants.

Using the place used by the trainees who entered the Rinzai sect for training to enter the dojo Those who have visited Zen for 10 to 30 years at the temple where Steve Jombus also visited will introduce the greatness of Zazen and work. We will tell you about the charms of Daitokuji, Zazen, and work recommended by international businessmen.

Maiko is art (mainly dance and music) performer who entertains guest and bring up the atmosphere during a banquet or similar event. Being a Maiko is a process that one has to experience to be a Geiko. Maiko is hardly walk around the city during the day. Most of them is working on Ochaya that apply the rule of not accepting first timer. Therefore, if one sees Maiko during the day, he or she is considered very lucky. However, there is also high possibility that the one that they see is not the real Maiko, but, tourist who dress up as Maiko.

Are you looking for an authentic tea ceremony? Our Tea Ceremony is held on the second floor of a 140-year-old traditional Machiya and led by certificated Tea Teacher who is born and based here in Kyoto. We can help you understand the correct manners for Tea and we offer with insights into the Way of Tea. After attending our class you will understand how to enjoy matcha tea,and you can enjoy at home. Please feel free to contact us for reservations, or with any questions you may have. We have organized our Tea space so it is accessible to anyone. You will sit on on tatami. You can sit on the chair if you would like to.We welcome children and the elderly.We are the member of Kyoto City Tourism Association.

Learn to make artistic sushi rolls during your own private ‘kazarimaki’ class in Kyoto. Kazarimaki is the art of making designs within a sushi roll, using edible pigments extracted from plants to create colorful patterns in the sushi. Your instructor also provides a kimono (for women) or other traditional garments (for men and children) to wear during the experience.

It's difficult for us to enjoy cooking together directly but we can enjoy it through online. Today, we want to share how to make "taco rice".Taco rice is an Okinawan local food.The roots of this is tacos, Mexican traditional food. Traditionally, meat is used but we use tofu for vegan.Tofu is high protein and low carbohydrate so it's good for beauty and shaping our body. We chose simple ingredients that we can get easily.Our recipe is simple and easy so kids can also make it. This is a great way to get plenty of veggies and it's also very filling. Tofu Taco Meat is very convenient to store. This dish is easy to eat and has an easy-to-flavor flavor, so it's a delicious dish for all ages.

Tondaya is a traditional Kyoto machiya house, which was registered as National Cultural heritage in 1999 and also enlisted as Structure of Landscape Importance in Kyoto in 2007. We originally started Kimono wholesale business 130 years ago, but currently, we operate Nishijin Lifestyle Museum to promote the education of traditional Kyoto lifestyle culture here in Tondaya. You can have a great experience of Japanese traditional culture, such as Kimono dressings, tea ceremony., and Machiya tour in this precious space nourished in the history of Kyoto.

まいゆーるが目指すのは『身体と心の両面での健康的な生活』 ◎まいゆーるで作るものは、グルテンフリー、グルタミン酸ナトリウム不使用、ヴィーガン料理です。麹などの日本に古くからある自然の発酵調味料を使った料理です。 ◎まいゆーるの体験を通して、禅の思想や、どのようにして身心共に健康なライフスタイルを送れるかを学べます。 ◎まいゆーるの体験は築300年の歴史ある武家屋敷で楽しめます。 豆腐はタンパク質豊富な健康食品で、大変有名です。 しかし、豆腐が作られると共に、大量のおからも出来あがります。 おからは食物繊維やタンパク質豊富ですが、産業廃棄物扱いです。 そこで、豆腐料理とおから料理の両方をお伝えしようと思います。 更に、私は料理インストラクターであり、整体やエステなどの施術師です。 この料理教室を通して、体と心の両面からの健康についてもお伝えしていきます。 私の考えでは、料理は一種の瞑想です。 料理を楽しんでいる間、私達は過去を憂いたり、未来に不安を抱くことなく、まさに今この時に集中しています。 料理はマインドフルネスの訓練になります。

Explore Kyoto's hidden alleys and delicacies with a local guide. Many people assumes that Japan is famous for dishes such as Tempura, Teppanyaki and Sushi. However in Kyoto you will discover dishes that only the local's enjoy. These areas are very difficult to find at first-sight, but with the help of your local guide you too can become one of the locals. You will be able to spend time with the locals and taste the typical Kyoto delicacy at carefully chosen bistro and local bars.

【OUTLINE】 This plan offers a bridal couple a chance to dress Japanese-style bridal costumes and have a wedding ceremony in the Geihinkan, a Registered Tangible Cultural property of Japan or our garden, and have a meal and drink.

What kind of impression do you have when listening to Nishijin weave? Nishijin which grew up as a high-end silk fabric during the Heian period, then bathed in the turbulence of Jonin but also developed overseas technology well in the Meiji period. In Nishijin, as Rakugo who runs kimono manufacturing in Nishijin, we guide the spot where you can easily understand the possible manufacturing process, and you can see the history of more than 550 years, such as Heiankyo ruins, Nenin's ruins, Juraku ruins etc. until the present time While slipping, I will guide you in an easy-to-understand way. On the way, we will have lunch at recommended places. (Lunch replacement)

This is highlight of Premiere Japanese Whiskey. Special tasting of "Hibiki 17years", "Yamazaki 12years", "Taketsuru" on the Japanese whiskey bar. You can also try to make "high-ball (Whiskey with soda)" with "Suntory Kaku" Some of them are become very difficult to get, but quality is extremely special and this is simble of Sweet, Mellow, Deep flavor of Japanese whiskey. You can also enjoy talking with local there