Tokyo Onigiri & Obento Experience – Make Rice Balls and Enjoy a Japanese Home-Style Lunch

1 hour and 30 minutes

Easy

Make and enjoy your own onigiri — Japanese rice balls — in a peaceful retro Tokyo neighborhood. A fun and authentic cooking experience with a local host, including lunch and cultural insights.

Looking for a unique and local Tokyo experience? Join this hands-on onigiri (rice ball) making class in Yanaka, one of Tokyo’s most nostalgic neighborhoods near Ueno Station.

In this 90-minute cooking workshop, you’ll learn how to shape and decorate onigiri using freshly cooked Japanese rice and seasonal ingredients — from traditional styles to playful, photo-ready designs.

But this isn’t just a class — it’s a warm, personal experience set on the second floor of a traditional Japanese home. You’ll be welcomed as if you were visiting a local friend’s house, with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly conversation.

After making your onigiri, enjoy your lunch together with a bento-style side dish box full of local favorites, such as:

🍱 Teriyaki chicken or fish (based on the season)
🥬 Sesame-dressed vegetables (goma-ae)
🥔 Seasonal homemade sides (obanzai-style)

We happily cater to vegetarian and vegan diets — just let us know in advance.

To complete the meal, savor a bowl of miso soup made from scratch with dashi stock using kombu (kelp) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) — a taste of true Japanese home cooking.

📍 Location: 2nd floor of a Japanese-style house in Yanaka (near Ueno Station)
⏱️ Duration: 90 minutes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group Size: 2–6 people (small group only)
🌱 Dietary Info: Vegetarian & vegan options available upon request
🌐 Language: English
📸 Great for photos & cultural storytelling

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning Japan lover, this cozy food experience will leave you full — both in body and heart.

⚠️ Please note: The workshop takes place on the second floor of a traditional Japanese house, accessible only by stairs. If you have any mobility concerns or difficulty with stairs, please contact us in advance — we’ll do our best to assist you.
What's included?
    • Onigiri (rice ball) making workshop
    • Lunch set with a variety of side dishes (e.g. teriyaki, sesame vegetables, seasonal local dishes)
    • Homemade miso soup made with traditional dashi
    • Personal hosting in a Japanese home (2nd floor)
    • Vegetarian/vegan options (advance request required)
    • English-speaking host
    Exclusions
      Please note

        ⚠️ Please note: The workshop takes place on the second floor of a traditional Japanese house, accessible only by stairs. If you have any mobility concerns or difficulty with stairs, please contact us in advance — we’ll do our best to assist you.

        What to bring