Getting ready to travel to Tokyo to check out the cherry blossom season? Making plans to head there for the Olympics? Or avoiding the crowds and heading here after these two busy events?
Japan is an amazing country and a trip here is never a dull moment. From culture and history to its vast array of regional dishes and festivals, the country is diverse and the things to see are endless.
But what if you want to do something a bit unique, off the tourist trail? It can be difficult to find things to do in Japan that are a bit more “local” and it can be even harder to meet local people as a tourist.
Japan’s citizens are notoriously kind and friendly and most people are open and curious about other cultures. They want to meet people from other countries, but are often shy, reserved or limited by language barriers.
As we all know, though, food is a bridge between cultures. Sharing a meal together, or a few drinks, is the best ice breaker in most countries. Mealtimes are when locals can relax and there is nothing better than Japanese home cooking.
Luckily, there is an easy way to gain special insight into real Japanese food culture whilst learning something along the way.
Japanese cooking classes taught by real people, often in the comfort of their own homes, is the perfect way to learn some amazing cooking skills, meet people from all over the world and experience the “real Japan”.
Airkitchen.me is a brilliant way to experience Japanese food culture. You can travel all over the country and join the cooking classes that match your interest and schedule, all while learning from locals.
Avoid the stuffiness of formal tours, where you don’t get to actually talk to anyone from the country or see anything different from any other tourist. Airkitchen cooking classes have something for everyone, no matter what you want to learn how to cook or your dietary restrictions.
Learn the beautiful art of the Japanese tea ceremony and how to make traditional wagashi sweets in this class.
Or get your hands on the real way to make okonomiyaki, my favourite Japanese food, which is kind of like a savoury pancake/omelette. You have to try it!
There are classes for every kind of dish, whether you want to learn how to make tempura, sushi, or bento boxes.
There are even cooking classes in Japan for vegans and vegetarians, so you can learn how to make your very own vegan ramen when you get back home!
You can search the website by location with the handy map, by date or by menu, if you are looking for a specific dish.
Do something different than the hordes of tourists heading for Japan and visit the home’s of real locals who are excited to meet you. I know I’ll definitely be making these classes a part of my visits to the country from now on.
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