Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 85 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home worth booking?
Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home is a 3-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $54 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 85 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (85)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $54 per person
During this experience you will learn to make sushi of your choice or traditional Obanzai style dishes such as cooked and marinated mushrooms, pickled or slow-cooked seasonal vegetables and tofu dishes prepared the tradi
What you get
About this experience
During this experience you will learn to make sushi of your choice or traditional Obanzai style dishes such as cooked and marinated mushrooms, pickled or slow-cooked seasonal vegetables and tofu dishes prepared the traditional way over an informative conversation with your host Emika in her cozy kitchen. Emika will also teach you to prepare traditional, homemade miso soup from scratch. The cooking portion of your experience may last about an hour before you enjoy the meal you prepared together. Emika's family owns an organic vegetable field where she harvests most of the vegetables that she uses in her cooking. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer variety of daikon radishes grown on their farm! Join Emika and learn all about traditional Japanese cooking techniques, from chopping to marination, from a lovely local!
What's included
Included
- Local alcohol (1-2 glasses)
- Private cooking class and tea ceremony with your host Emika
- Supermarket and produce market tour (if you choose the Market tour option)
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
Meet your host Emika at her home. The above is a generic location, not the exact address. Exact address and Google Maps link can be found in your ticket upon confirmation, check the 'before you go' section. It is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Katsura station on the Hankyu Kyoto line.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your host Emika at her home. The above is a generic location, not the exact address. Exact address and Google Maps link can be found in your ticket upon confirmation, check the 'before you go' section. It is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Katsura station on the Hankyu Kyoto line.
Options you can book
Cooking and lunch
Cooking, lunch and alcohol with Emika
Supermarket + cooking + lunch
Cooking and dinner
Cooking, dinner and alcohol with Emika
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Please inform your host Emika if you would prefer a sushi or Obanzai (native Kyoto) menu when making your booking
- If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking
- Please note that if you choose the market tour option, it includes a supermarket and your private market tour happens "after" your cooking class and lunch, not before.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 85 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
85 verified traveler reviews for Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great family activity!
Emika was so lovely and knowledgeable. We learned just the right amount to take home some new Japanese cooking skills without being overwhelming. Food was fantastic. Tea ceremony was insightful. She also helped us navigate other future activities/restaurants. Supermarket tour was full of local goodness. Highly recommend!
via Viator
Fun lunch with Emika - a Kyoto local
Emika invited us into her home for a wonderful sushi and miso soup making lunch and then walked us to a local grocery store and helped us buy all the ingredients to make it ourselves. She even taught us all about a tea ceremony as her grandfather used to be a tea master. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Simply Perfect - Highly Recommended
I had the pleasure of taking this cooking class on my first day in Kyoto, and it turned out to be one of the most special and memorable experiences of my trip. What truly makes this experience unique is that it is a completely private class, held in Emika’s own home. Emika is a local who was born and raised in Kyoto, and you can really feel that authenticity throughout the entire experience. The setting creates such an intimate and personal atmosphere, allowing you to learn at your own pace and feel completely comfortable from the very beginning. Emika carefully explains and demonstrates every step of the process, from the raw ingredients all the way to preparing the meals. Beyond the cooking itself, she also shares wonderful tips and cultural insights that you wouldn’t normally come across. From how to properly prepare and drink matcha, to the correct and respectful way to use chopsticks (which we were surprised to learn we had been doing incorrectly for almost two and a half weeks in Japan!) - these little details made the experience even more meaningful. She also took the time to give us excellent restaurant recommendations, many of which we immediately added to our list to try. It was clear she genuinely cared about our experience in Kyoto beyond the class itself. And of course - the food itself was absolutely amazing. Everything we made was delicious, and it was incredibly satisfying to enjoy a meal we had prepared from scratch. We also left with plenty of photos of ingredients and products we plan to buy and take home with us before leaving Japan. This is so much more than just a cooking class - it’s a cultural, personal, and truly authentic Kyoto experience. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
via Viator
We had a wonderful...
We had a wonderful experience. Our host was very kind and showed us how to make some amazing food. She also helped us find local shops and restaurants in Kyoto.
via Viator
A Wonderful Experience!
We loved our cooking class with Emika! Her professional, but relaxed teaching style made this class not only fun, but easy to recall when home. We especially loved that most of the ingredients we used for our delicious meal were grown in her garden. We would absolutely recommend Emika to any of our friends or family traveling to Kyoto!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $54 to $159
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 30
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home cost?
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Prices start at $54 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 85 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home?
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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 Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home?
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Around 30 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Sushi Cooking Class in Emika's Home 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option, Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto, Hidden Kyoto E-Biking 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 Kyoto?
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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 Kyoto?
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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.
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