Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo

Organized by Yuichi
(75)
Detail
Detail
Detail
Show all photos
Detail
Share
Save
Show all photos
Summary
Highlights
Experience Details
Experience Location
Reviews
Duration
1 hour
Number of Guests
1 - 12 guests
Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible, Stroller Accessible, Family-friendly
Language
Japanese, English
Other
Gluten-free, Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescetarian, Has a gift

Learn how to make your very own food sample in Tokyo during this colorful, hands-on workshop.

Highlights

  • Learn how Japanese food samples are made during this hands-on workshop!

  • Choose from ramen (the default) or select an option (tart charm, cupcake charm, parfait)

  • Follow along step by step with help from a professional from Yamato Sample Factory, a food sample making company that has been operating in Japan for almost 70 years

For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

Japanese fake food samples are a part of everyday life. You will see them across the country outside of Japanese restaurants, acting as a visual menu. Display cases of restaurants, bars and cafes boast these colorful, inedible, yet seemingly real replicas of their menu items, made convincingly out of wax and plastic. If you have ever wondered how Japanese fake food samples are made, you can join this Food Sample Making Workshop in Tokyo to learn how to craft your own!


During this workshop, you will learn how to make your very own fake food sample with the help from a friendly, professional teacher. Choose the default experience and you'll make your own life-size ramen food sample. Or, you can select one of the options and make an adorable tart charm, cupcake charm, or parfait!


This experience is brought to you by a well-established food sample making company that originated in Gifu Prefecture called Yamato Sample Factory. They have been selling and leasing these realistic food replicas since 1952, but over time they have evolved the process to be able to create even more elaborate samples. With a streamlined and experienced manufacturing process, the craft of making food samples has even been spreading overseas! Each food sample is finished by hand, giving it the final touches to make the food replicas look real.


This experience has a 5-minute introduction to Japanese fake food samples, a 5-minute food sample tour, and 40 minutes spent creating your own sample. You can choose from a range of different dishes to make, ranging from fruit tarts and ramen bowls to parfaits.


Roll up your sleeves and join in this exciting experience. No matter what your creative skill level, this workshop is suitable for participants of all ages and is great for families! So, what’s your favorite dish? Make one of your very own delicious-looking Japanese food samples, an awesome souvenir from Tokyo!

Inclusions

  • Food sample making teacher

  • Materials and tools to make one food sample

  • A small cute food sample keyholder

Exclusions

  • Transportation to and from the venue

  • Additional Japanese food sample making kits to take home

Meeting Point and Meeting Time

  • Please meet directly at the venue. It is a 5-minute walk from Kita-Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu Tojo Line or a 12-minute walk from the east exit of Itabashi Station on the JR Saikyo Line. This is near the Kami-Ikebukuro police box.

Remarks

  • Food sample production kits can be purchased at additional cost

  • Be sure to wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty or please bring your own apron

  • This experience is partially in English but with a lot of Japanese. But, you will still be able to follow along easily with directions!

  • Additional toppings cost an extra 300+ yen for real size parfait samples

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.

Read more

Package Options

Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Tart Charm)
Select
Make a cute tart charm that can be hooked onto bags, keychains, and more.
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Real-size Parfait)
Select
Choose from colorful sauces and toppings to customize your own parfait!
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Fried Rice)
Select
Make a fake fried rice by adding toppings!
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Curry Rice)
Select
Make a real-looking curry rice by adding toppings!
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Mini Parfait w/ a Clip)
Select
A clip is attached to a small-sized parfait, so you can put a photo or memo between the parfait and the clip!

Experience Location

One of Tokyo’s major city centers, the vibrant area of Ikebukuro serves as a huge commuter and electronics hub. It’s the second busiest station in Tokyo, just after Shinjuku Station, and is surrounded by hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. While it’s not as famous as Akihabara, Ikebukuro has a strong otaku culture, but one that caters towards female clientele, featuring a number of butler cafes and cosplay shops. The area is also the home a rooftop aquarium and a number of other attractions within Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City, an enormous mall complex.

Get Directions
What People Are Saying
Overall ratings and reviews
(75)
Harry Smith
March 17, 2025

We had an amazing teacher, and a really fun time with our group making so many tasty looking fake foods! The teacher was very helpful and shared a lot of fun facts about the industry. They were e...read more

Thank you for visiting us. We are very happy if you enjoyed your stay. We will study English more. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please come visit us again when you visit Japan. We look forwa...Read more

Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in TokyoMarch 19, 2025
Julia Zwing
March 19, 2025

It was a lot of fun. The class is also suitable for children, and everything is well explained. A really enjoyable activity.

Thank you for visiting us. We are glad that your children enjoyed themselves. Please come again when you visit Japan.

Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in TokyoMarch 19, 2025
Sarah Hedner
February 23, 2025

This was a great time. Everyone there was extremely friendly. I definitely recommend.

Thank you for visiting us. We hope you enjoyed the food sample experience.

Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in TokyoMarch 3, 2025
Load more
Book This Experience
Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo - from $22.42
Select Package Options
Select Package Options
Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo -from $22.42
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Tart Charm) -from $22.42
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Real-size Parfait) -from $22.42
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Fried Rice) -from $22.42
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Curry Rice) -from $22.42
Tokyo Food Sample Making Workshop (Mini Parfait w/ a Clip) -from $22.42
Select at least 1 guest
Select Guest
Select at least 1 guest
Adult
(7 - 120)
0
Clear
Apply
Date
Select Date
Date
March
2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
2324252627281
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
303112345
Time
Select Time
Time
Available Tomorrow
from
$22.42
per guest
Book Now
Please note: The price varies based on group size. The time is in Japan Standard Time.
Free cancellation (48 hours notice)
For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
Frequently Asked Questions

What are Japanese food samples?

Japanese food samples, known as “sanpuru,” are realistic food replicas made of wax, plastic and other materials. They are often found in front of restaurants to give customers an idea of what items on the menu look like. Colorful and realistic, fake food samples are surprisingly easy and fun to make, too.

What kind of food samples can I make at the Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo?

In this food sample-making workshop in Tokyo, you can make a bowl of ramen, a tart charm, a real-size parfait, a plate of fried rice, curry rice, or a mini parfait with a clip. By default, you’ll make ramen. If you’d like to make any of the other alternatives, you can book through the Package Options to select your preferred one.

How long does the Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo take?

This workshop takes approximately 1 hour. It includes a brief introduction to Japanese fake food samples, a 5-minute workshop tour, and an estimated 40 minutes spent creating your own sample.

Where is the Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo located?

This workshop takes place in Yamato Sample Factory, a food sample-making company operating in Japan for almost 70 years. Yamato Sample Factory is located in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro area, a 5-minute walk from Kita-Ikebukuro Station or a 12-minute walk from Itabashi Station on the JR Saikyo Line.

Where can I see lots of food samples in Tokyo?

Food samples can be found everywhere in Tokyo, but one of the areas most famous for food samples is Kappabashi. Also known as the “Kitchen Town” of Tokyo, this district near Asakusa is home to many restaurants and even food sample supply shops where you can see plenty of food replicas.
You may also be interested in these experiences
Food Tours
TOKYO
Historic Asakusa Tour & Fake Food Samples in Kappabashi

The art of Japanese fake food samples is alive and well. See the Sensoji Temple and other Asakusa landmarks in an in-depth tour, then head to Kappabashi Street, Tokyo’s “Kitchen Town”, to shop for plastic food replicas with help from your guide.

from$63.46
Near station
Classes
KYOTO
Ramen Noodle Making Experience in Kyoto

If ramen noodles aren’t accessible in your home country, how about learning how to make it from scratch? At a ramen shop in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, you’ll mix, roll and cut your dough.

from$41.39
(67)
Has a gift
Private Experience
Classes
TOKYO
Mochi Making Class in Tokyo

Love chewy mochi? Join this cooking class in Tokyo and learn how to make 4 versions of the beloved Japanese sweet, including ice cream mochi, strawberry daifuku, dango and isobe mochi. Then, savor your sweets with a rejuvenating cup of matcha.

from$82.77
(40)
With green tea
Food Tours
TOKYO
Ueno Food Tour: Sushi, Ramen, Gyoza & Yakitori

Come hungry! In this food tour in bustling Ueno, you’ll enjoy a wide assortment of Japanese foods at four different restaurants near Ameyoko Street. Savor sushi, gyoza, yakitori, and ramen with a foodie expert guide.

from$93.12
(2)
With green tea