Grain Quest: Onigiri-Making and Amazake Tasting in Tokyo
Embark on a rice-led adventure in this private cooking and tasting experience in Tokyo! Learn how to make onigiri (rice balls) and taste amazake (a fermented rice drink) alongside professionals.
Highlights
Private cooking and tasting experience
Complimentary gifts (chopsticks and sake glass)
Learn about and taste different types of amazake
Learn about onigiri flavors
10 meals
Experience Details
In this private cooking and tasting experience in central Tokyo, you’ll learn how to make onigiri (rice balls) and take part in an amazake (fermented rice drink) tasting alongside a team of dedicated professionals. But this experience isn’t just about eating and drinking, it will give you a unique view into the deep-rooted history and culture of rice in Japanese culture. Keep the memories alive by taking home complimentary rice-themed souvenirs!
Your cooking and tasting guides are passionate rice experts eager to share their knowledge with you. They began their rice-forward operation in 2023, with the aim of sharing Japanese culture through this humble yet mighty grain. From drinks and sweets to organic skincare and accessories, these people have a genuine passion and seek to share it in as many ways as possible. Onigiri (rice balls) hold a special place in Japanese cuisine. These handheld snacks consist of a triangular or oval-shaped rice ball, stuffed with various fillings, and often wrapped in nori seaweed.
Skills you’ll acquire will include the delicate balance of shaping the rice, understanding flavor combinations, adding the fillings, then mastering the art of nori (seaweed) wrapping. Afterward, savor your rice creations and enjoy them with nourishing miso soup. The ingredients in the cooking component of this experience are easily customized, so if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, never fear! But wait, there’s more! An amazake tasting awaits…
Amazake (sweet sake) is a traditional Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Unlike regular sake, amazake is non-alcoholic and boasts a natural sweetness from the fermentation process–it can even be enjoyed by kids! This creamy elixir is rich in nutrients like vitamin B and enzymes, making it a nourishing and energizing drink.
By engaging in these culinary traditions, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Japan's food heritage and the cherished role of rice in daily life.
Inclusions
Private cooking and tasting experience
Onigiri-making ingredients and tools
Meal: Onigiri and miso soup
Amazake tasting
Souvenirs (chopsticks and a sake glass)
Exclusions
Transportation to and from the meeting point
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host directly at the store, which is a 1-minute walk from Toei Subway Daimon Station Exit A6, a 6-minute walk from JR Hamamatsucho Station North Exit, or a 6-minute walk from Onarimon Station Exit A2. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
Experience lasts approximately 1.5 hours
The ingredients in the cooking component of this experience are easily customized, so if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know ahead of time
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
10 meals
Put on your apron and create your own onigiri and miso soup, two of Japan’s beloved breakfast and all-day snacks, in a cozy home kitchen in Namba using an original recipe. Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and more options are available.
During a hands-on class in Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district, learn how to make a classic Japanese street food: taiyaki. This fish-shaped cake is usually made with sweet bean paste, but you can also select unique savory options like cheese and curry!
Find out the secret technique that makes the lightest, crispiest tempura! Anyone can join, as this cooking class in Osaka can be customized to accommodate for any dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, and halal.
Prepare yakitori chicken skewers with a pro chef in a Japanese culinary school in Shinjuku! After the hard work is done, taste an assortment of skewers masterfully grilled by your instructor and taste the difference with yours.