Bento Food Experiences(27)
Bento Making Class in Kyoto
Learn about the essential components of washoku (Japanese cuisine) during this bento making class in Kyoto. Make a balanced meal of six different dishes including tempura, teriyaki chicken, and miso soup, with your friendly cooking teacher.
Traditional Bento Making Class in Osaka
Join this hands-on bento making class in Osaka and learn how to prepare Japanese ingredients like fish, vegetables, and rice into an exquisite, balanced meal that’s artistically arranged in a bento box. It’s colorful, nutritious, and delicious!
Kyaraben Cartoon Character Bento Making Class
These kawaii cartoon character bentos are as cute as they are delicious! Learn classic Japanese cooking techniques and recipes like tamagoyaki, and put together a tasty and balanced packed bento box that’ll be the envy of the lunch crowd.
Teishoku Cooking Class in Shinjuku (Five Meal Options)
Cook your own teishoku meal set at Chieko’s kitchen in central Tokyo. Choose your favorite menu and venture into Japanese home cooking: sushi, tamagoyaki, onigiri, and more!
Online Cooking Class: Cute Character Bento Making Class
Think outside the (bento) box during this fun online cooking class! Using easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll make an adorable themed bento featuring cartoon characters. These packed lunch boxes are as cute as they are delicious.
Onigiri Bento Making Class in a Fukuoka Home
Delicious and adorably presented bento are a treat for the eyes and the tastebuds. During this bento making class in Fukuoka, join your cooking instructor in their home kitchen, for an onigiri (rice ball) party!
2025 Cherry Blossoms Hanami Food Tour in Yanaka (Tokyo)
Celebrate cherry blossom season during this unique tour in the charming neighborhood of Yanaka. Feel the spirit of this eclectic neighborhood with a local guide, taste local street foods, and stop by famous galleries, then enjoy a hanami bento box.
Day as a Mikan Farmer! Ehime Mikan Picking, Marmalade Making
Enjoy a day on the mikan farm while harvesting fresh mandarin oranges with local farmers in Yawatahama, Ehime prefecture. Make fresh juice and homemade marmalade from the premium unshu mikan picked from beautiful mountainside terraced farms.
Local Food Tour in Fun & Friendly Sugamo
An old-school shopping street that’s a bit of a local secret, Sugamo is popular among the older demographic, but offers delights for all ages. From charming sweets shops to eclectic handicrafts, explore the “Harajuku for Old Ladies” on a guided tour!
Bento Making Class in Tokyo: Prepare a Japanese Lunchbox
Master Japanese home cooking in this bento-making class in Tokyo where you can learn authentic karaage or soboro bento recipes from a local home cook. Take home your very own bento box, complete with chopsticks and a chopstick rest.
Rolled Sushi Bento-Making Class at Yoko’s Kamakura Home
A popular coastal town and sightseeing location, Kamakura is just a short train ride from Tokyo. Join Yoko in her Kamakura home and learn how to make makizushi (rolled sushi) and 3-4 side dishes. As a bonus, you’ll also join a calligraphy lesson!
Traditional Bento Making Class in Kichijoji (Tokyo)
Make the iconic red-and-black shokado bento guided by a certified instructor with 10 years of overseas teaching experience in this bento-making class in Tokyo’s trendy Kichijoji neighborhood.
Kyoto Machiya Tour & Candlelit Kaiseki Dinner in Nishijin
Experience ancient Kyoto and indulge in its cuisine in Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, a 140-year-old townhouse designated as a tangible cultural property of the city. Enjoy a guided tour followed by a traditional kaiseki meal by candlelight.
Cute Character Bento Cooking Class in Shinjuku
Bring pop culture to the kitchen and make your own character bento, known as kyaraben, with a warm and welcoming instructor in Shinjuku. Turn everyday ingredients like rice, vegetables, ham, and eggs into a packed meal that’s almost too cute to eat.
Japanese Home Cooking Class in Tokyo (Onigiri & Tamagoyaki)
Try your hand at Japanese home cooking staples in this cozy cooking class in Shibuya’s Ebisu area. You’ll cook, steam, fill and shape rice into onigiri rice balls, and learn the authentic way to roll a Japanese-style omelet (tamagoyaki).
Osaka Sakai Knife Tour w/ Factory Tour & Bento Lunch
Discover the 600-year long knife-forging and making legacy of Sakai, Osaka, in a tour that takes you through galleries and factories to discover the intricacies of the craft from its masters. Lunch and private transportation by car are included.
Private Character Bento Cooking Class Near Shinjuku Gyoen
A lunch that tastes as good as it looks! In this family-friendly cooking class near Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, you’ll make kyaraben — a cute packed lunch inspired by your favorite characters — with a certified cooking instructor.
Yanaka Bento-Making Class & Calligraphy Workshop (Tokyo)
Escape the crowds in Tokyo and relax with a local calligraphy workshop and bento lunch-making class in Yanaka, a district near Ueno that retains its retro charm.
Onigiri Bento-Making Class in Yanaka (Tokyo)
In this onigiri-making class in Tokyo’s Yanaka area, craft an adorable selection of unique onigiri before arranging a delicious bento box with your onigiri alongside an array of local staples like fried chicken and Japanese-style omelets.
Yanaka Food Tour, Bento-Making & Cultural Workshop (Tokyo)
Discover Yanaka, a Tokyo gem near Nippori and Ueno, in this unique experience led by locals. On this day tour, you’ll explore the area, visit Nezu Shrine and Yanaka Ginza, try local snacks, make your own lunch and take part in a cultural workshop.
A Thrilling Meal! Vegan Lunch Cruise Near Active Volcano
Experience mother nature’s beauty and power with a cruise tour around Kagoshima’s iconic active volcano, Sakurajima! While on the 3-hour tour, enjoy the tastes of Kagoshima through a delicious, plant-based meal and tea.
Kawaii “Charaben” Character Bento Cooking Class
Learn how to make kawaii character bentos during this cooking class in Tokyo! Create adorable animal motifs out of rice, seaweed, rolled omelets, sausages, and more. They’re almost too cute to eat!
Bento-Making at Japan’s Oldest Cooking School
Learn how to make a delicious, authentic Japanese meal and arrange it in your very own bento box! Enjoy this unique and historic cooking experience in the oldest cooking school in Japan, with guidance from cooks with generations of experience.
Nara Historical Hiking Tour & Breakfast Picnic in Asuka
Discover Japan’s ancient capital of Asuka in central Nara, where you’ll explore the village’s ancient treasures and hike a historical park, where you’ll have breakfast atop a breathtaking viewpoint. Vegetarian and vegan friendly!
Vegetarian Bento-Making Class in Kanagawa
Make a plant-based version of classic Japanese lunch box alongside experienced homecooks. Make vegan karaage, Japanese omelets, onigiri and other Japanese lunch staples. Dive into a healthier lifestyle with this twist on the traditional bento!
Tokyo Lunch: Make a Traditional Japanese Bento in Shinagawa
Uncover the secrets to a picture-perfect bento lunch that tastes as good as it looks in this home cooking class with a friendly cooking instructor in Shinagawa. You’ll make Japanese-style fried chicken, onigiri rice balls, rolled omelet and more.
Crispy Fried Chicken Bento Cooking Class in Tokyo
Learn to make a colorful and mouth watering packed lunch, Japanese-style! In this class, you'll craft a delicious bento with crispy fried chicken, guided by a friendly local host at her renovated home kitchen.
Discover Authentic Bento Food Experiences
When visiting Japan or exploring Japanese culture, one of the culinary highlights is experiencing a traditional bento box. Bento boxes are more than just a meal; they are a carefully crafted assortment of flavors and textures presented in a beautifully arranged box. These meals are perfect for lunch and are often eaten on the go, making them a practical as well as a cultural delight. Whether you're an aficionado of Japanese cuisine or a traveler eager to dive into local food traditions, bento food experiences offer a unique and delicious taste of Japan.
The Artistry of Bento Boxes
Bento boxes are not just about nourishment; they are an art form in Japan, demonstrating attention to detail and balance between taste, nutrition, and food aesthetics. Each box typically contains a variety of small dishes, such as rice, seafood, meat, and vegetables, which are carefully arranged to create a visually appealing presentation. A typical bento might include some pickled vegetables and a small dessert as well. These experiences allow you to appreciate how the elements of a bento box come together, each component designed to complement the others in flavor and presentation. For those interested in food as art, a bento experience is a must.
Variety and Customization in Bento Experiences
Bento food experiences cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. With numerous regional variations, each bento offers a unique perspective on local ingredients and culinary techniques. Whether you prefer a classic bento with familiar ingredients or wish to try something adventurous like a regional specialty, there is something for everyone. Vegetarian and vegan options abound, offering delightful interpretations of traditional recipes that emphasize fresh, seasonal produce. Moreover, many experiences offer you the chance to customize your bento box, selecting your favorite ingredients or trying combinations that intrigue your palate.
Embarking on a bento food experience is not just about tasting wonderful dishes; it’s an opportunity to understand the cultural significance of this Japanese tradition. Whether you're participating in a cooking class, enjoying a bento-themed dining event, or exploring varieties at local eateries, these experiences deepen your appreciation of Japanese culture and cuisine. Dive into the world of bento and discover the delightful flavors and traditions that have captivated food enthusiasts around the world.