
Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 36 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes worth booking?
Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes is a 1.5-hour experience in Tokyo, Japan, from $78 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 36 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (36)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $78 per person
Make your own adorable Character Bento in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and experience Japan’s famous kawaii food culture. Learn simple Japanese cooking techniques, create a colorful and photo-worthy lunch box, and take home a unique memory of your trip to Tokyo. Perfect for families, anime fans, and food lovers alike.
What you get
About this experience
Make your own adorable Character Bento in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and experience Japan’s famous kawaii food culture. Learn simple Japanese cooking techniques, create a colorful and photo-worthy lunch box, and take home a unique memory of your trip to Tokyo. Perfect for families, anime fans, and food lovers alike.
What's included
Included
- Meals
Not included
- Private transportation
- Alcoholic beverages
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tokyo
From JR Shinjuku Station East Exit, walk toward Shinjuku Alta and Yasukuni-dori Avenue. Continue toward Shinjuku 5-chome, near Hanazono Shrine. Studio Leon is at 5-17-6 Shinjuku. It is about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
From JR Shinjuku Station East Exit, walk toward Shinjuku Alta and Yasukuni-dori Avenue. Continue toward Shinjuku 5-chome, near Hanazono Shrine. Studio Leon is at 5-17-6 Shinjuku. It is about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Options you can book
Snoopy Blossom Nori-Maki Bento
Snoopy Blossom Nori-Maki Bento
Pomupomupurin Bento
Toripiyo Bento
Toripiyo Bento cooking class
Lucky Cat Bento (Vegetarian)
Hello Kitty Bento
Mimmy White Bento (Vegetarian)
Mimmy White Bento (Vegetarian): Vegetarian Bento cooking class
Mt. Fuji Horse Bento
Chopper Bento
Chopper Bento cooking class
Cute Bear Bento
Happy Bear Bento cooking class
Pikachu Bento
Pikachu Bento cooking class
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- テイストニッポン・キャラ弁
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 36 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
36 verified traveler reviews for Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Bento box lesson
It was lots of fun and informative, we learned how to make a cool bento box, and it was yummy too.
via Tripadvisor
Missed Experience Due to Poor Location Instructions
After repeated back-and-forth communication, we still could not locate the class and ultimately had to abandon the experience. This cost us most of the morning on our final day in Japan. A simple location pin or clear instructions would have prevented the entire situation. We made every reasonable effort to attend, but the provider failed to give us accurate and timely location information.
via Viator
A Fun Window into Japanese Culture—Through a Lunchbox
This was such a fun and educational experience. Everything was incredibly well organized—down to having a ring light ready for photos. They even provided an iPad with clear, step-by-step instructions in English, complete with pictures. There were two instructors: one who primarily spoke Japanese and another from the U.S., and together they guided me through every step. They were kind, funny, and made the whole experience feel easy and relaxed. It also felt like a fascinating window into Japanese culture—the care and attention to detail I saw, even when making lunches for little ones. That sense of intention came through in every part of the experience. They had music, refreshments, and I even got to take my bento box home. It turned out not only as a little work of art, but also genuinely delicious. This experience really inspired me to step up my preschool lunchbox game for my son. I left feeling uplifted and joyful—and I can’t wait to try it again at home.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and detailed review! We’re truly happy to hear that you enjoyed every part of the experience, from the cooking process to the atmosphere and cultural aspects behind character bento making. It means a lot to know that the English instructions, photo setup, music, and small details helped make your time comfortable and memorable. Your words about the care and intention behind Japanese lunch culture really touched us. Character bento is not only about making food look cute, but also about expressing love and creativity through everyday meals, and we’re so glad that feeling came through during the class. We’re especially happy to hear that the experience inspired you to create fun lunchboxes for your son at home. Your bento turned out beautifully, and we hope the memories and ideas from this class stay with you for a long time. Thank you again for joining us, and we would love to welcome you back anytime you visit Tokyo again! 🍱
via Viator
Cutest workshop!
It was a really fun and interesting experience. So much detail goes into making such cute delicious bentos✨🍱
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re very happy to hear you had a fun and interesting experience. Character bento may look simple, but there are many small details that make them both cute and delicious. We hope you enjoyed discovering this special part of Japanese food culture in Tokyo. We’d love to welcome you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Very amazing workshop
Staff members are so friendly and nice Would love to come back!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the experience and felt welcomed by our friendly staff. Your message truly means a lot to us. We would love to have you join us again anytime you visit Tokyo!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $78 to $14,000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tokyo.
How much does Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes cost?
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Prices start at $78 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tokyo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tokyo is not rushed.
Is Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 36 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tokyo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tokyo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tokyo and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tokyo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tokyo?
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Tokyo is less a city than a stack of neighborhoods with completely different opening hours. A guided food crawl through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho gets you past the no-tourist curtains, while the day trips west to Hakone and Fuji need an early start to be worth the fare. Our ranking weighs guide quality heavily here, because in Tokyo the guide is the product. On Outty we rank every Tokyo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best of Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour (3-4 Stops, 14+ Tastings), Matcha Making Class in Tokyo with Authentic Japanese Sweets Set, Tokyo: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Town Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
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Late March to May for blossom, October to November for clear Fuji views. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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Included: Meals. Not included: Private transportation; and Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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From JR Shinjuku Station East Exit, walk toward Shinjuku Alta and Yasukuni-dori Avenue. Continue toward Shinjuku 5-chome, near Hanazono Shrine. Studio Leon is at 5-17-6 Shinjuku. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes offered in?
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It is offered in Japanese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Tokyo. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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Across 36 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for Character Bento Cooking Class: Make Kawaii Japanese Lunch Boxes?
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There are 10 options to choose from, including Snoopy Blossom Nori-Maki Bento, Pomupomupurin Bento, Toripiyo Bento, Lucky Cat Bento (Vegetarian). Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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