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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Satoru

Tokyo, Japan

USD
$102-$148 per person

Japanese cooking class with a humorous local

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Satoru

Satoru was born in Hokkaido and grew up surrounded by nature and large vegetable fields. As a child, he would always harvest fresh vegetables from his family's fields and cook with his mother and grandmother who were wonderful home cooks. His grandmother never compromised in quality or technique when cooking and taught him everything she knew. Satoru is now a passionate home cook himself. His grandfather owned an organic miso factory that Satoru believed to be the best in the world. Although it closed after his grandfather passed away, his grandfather passed down his miso making techniques to his mother who sends Sato her handmade organic miso. This miso is the secret of Satoru's signature miso soup, something you won't want to miss. Satoru enjoys teaching people about Japanese food and helping them explore his local culture through food. He believes that there are so many delicious homemade Japanese foods that cannot be found in the restaurants and delights in sharing these dishes with travelers.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-4 guests) After meeting Satoru at the JR Shinjuku station, you will walk together to his cozy apartment in the heart of Shinjuku. As you sip a welcome drink, Satoru will share stories about life and culture in Japan. You will then sit down to a traditional Japanese meal of home style Japanese dishes at his dining table. Depending on the day your menu might change. Your menu might include teishoku (a fixed plate of miso soup, donburi, tonjiru and rice) or chirashi sushi or Japanese street food treats like okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) or karaage (fried chicken). Sato is happy to tailor the menu to your preferences so feel free to request a particular dish when making your booking. Enjoy a laid-back, stress-free meal and conversation about Japanese cuisine and culture with this knowledgeable local.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Join Satoru in his small but efficient kitchen and learn how to cook 2-3 dishes from scratch. You can expect your cooking class to take about an hour and a half before you sit down and share the meal you helped to prepare over engaging conversation with Satoru. Feel free to ask him about the ingredients that go into making the dish from savory dashi to sweet organic honey and he will give you tips and a story relating to his choice.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Please note that this is not a tour of a food market and will take place after your cooking class. Instead of a market tour, Satoru will take you on a street tour of a local district that tourists typically do not see. Stroll through the neighborhood with Satoru as he shares information about Japanese culture and trends.

Notes: Please note that a Cooking + Meal experience with Sato will take 2.5 hours instead of 3 hours, so the actual timings would be: 10:30AM - 1:00PM for Lunch, 6:00PM - 8:30PM for Dinner. Please ignore the 'Experience Timings' shown on the left hand side of this page.

Languages spoken: English, Japanese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Wednesday Thursday Friday - everyone’s favorite Japanese meal day
  • Saturday-Sunday - Monday- Tuesday: A main of either Donburi or Bento, Miso soup and some sides.
  • Please check the menu in advance, specific days have specific menus. If you do not share your preference, the menu of the day will be cooked. So if you wish to make changes or have any restrictions, please inform the host ONE week in advance, or else the menu of the day will be cooked.

Traveler reviews

5.0 (15)
Excellent cooking class. Good fun. Food delicious. Real exposure to Japanese traditional food. Satoru speaks fluent English, is an excellent teacher and a warm and generous host.
- WallyBri January 30, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed our cooking course in Tokyo. Saturo was engaging, educational and fun. His menu was perfect for our family including teenagers. The meal was absolutely delicious, l highly recommend!!
- Sasha H April 15, 2023
Satoru is a gem of a human being and a cooking lesson with him should be on everyone's Tokyo trip itinerary. He made everything easy, enjoyable, and most importantly, delicious! We learned so much and will book another class when we return to Japan.
- steinno March 23, 2023
Really enjoyed to small group teaching since Satoru was able to explain in detail what was required and answer all our questions. Great sense of humour and good english for anyone considering taking this course. We'll go back next time we are in Tokyo to learn some more
- Mark M February 16, 2023
It is a must do in Tokyo. The food was so delicious. Thanks a lot to the Master Chef satoru. We shared a lot of storys and had a great time.
- Anonymous July 31, 2022
Our private cooking class with Sato was the highlight of our two week trip in Japan. He was knowledgable, friendly, hysterical and so welcoming. we immediately felt at home in his intimate kitchen and excellent attention to detail (he had music playing when we entered his apartment and even printed out all of the recipes for us to bring home.) He showed us areas of Tokyo that we would have never seen had we just wandered around as tourists. I cannot recommend Sato and his cooking classes enough. Unforgettable, educating and delicious!
- CourtRada September 01, 2019
Our private cooking class with Sato was one of our favorite parts of our 10-day trip to Japan. We learned so much and had the best time connecting personally with a local. Sato is hilarious, kind, and witty, and made us feel right at home - the class was interactive, yet relaxed. We also enjoyed meandering Shinjuku and Nakano with Sato and listening to his stories and fun facts. I'd highly recommend Sato's cooking class if you're looking for a unique food experience while in Tokyo!
- Heather Pavlik July 01, 2019
The cooking experience with Satoru-san more than exceeded my expectations. I reserved a cooking class as a surprise for my mom, who came to Japan for the first time to visit me as I live in Tokyo. The cooking class was one of the first things we did, and she could not stop talking about it for the entire rest of the trip! Satoru-san very kindly welcomed us into his home in Shinjuku, and the entire morning felt like cooking with a dear friend. Satoru-san very patiently explained each ingredient we cooked with, including his family's special miso, and entertained us with funny stories from his childhood. The entire experience was so fantastic that I might have to reserve another class with Satoru-san before I leave Japan!
- coleemie April 01, 2019
Satoru was a lovely host who opened his home graciously to share his knowledge of cooking and a meal with us. We made miso soup, several side dishes, and a sushi bowl, all of which were outstanding. He provided us suggestions throughout the cooking experience and gave us recipes to take with us. Satoru was very friendly, informative, and interesting to chat with throughout the experience. Great experience!
- Stefanie M March 01, 2019
My friend and I met Satoru at the train station and had a short walk to his home. Sato was a wealth of information and was always "on" providing background on the area and Tokyo life every step of the way. Cooking in a typical Tokyo flat was quite and adventure for an american living on the west coast. Amazing what you can accomplish in such a small space. Sato shared not just his home and kitchen but a slice of his life, his family, city and culture. An amazing experience overall and one that I would highly recommend. Oh, and the food was good too :)
- Damien K July 01, 2018
My 14 year old son and I had a great class with Satoru, thoroughly enjoyed it and had some great miso and gyoza - highly recommended.
- DBarnabyLloyd May 01, 2018
We had such a fantastic time with Satoru. He is a very funny and charming person. We prepared some tonkatsu porkcutlets with japanese curry. It was amazing! In addition we did a local tour and he showed us some wonderful non-touristic places. We also talked a lot about japanese culture, history und food. He has a very wide knowledge about Japan. We absolutely recommend him and would rebook him again.
- Vito M April 01, 2018
Whether it's your first time eating or cooking Japanese food or you have some prior experience, we'd highly recommend taking a class with Satoru. He is very talented, thoughtful, and observant. Non-judgmental, positive and encouraging. The food was delicious; we had a great time. Oishi!
- Scott & Rita Dilley November 17, 2017
We signed up for a lesson but 100% left with a friend. Sato's class was more than you could ask for on a trip to Tokyo. He welcomed us into his sweet place and immediately made us feel at home. The dinner was fresh, delicious and informative but what set the experience apart was his hospitality and charm. We ended with a tour around the area and drinks at his cool local bar. Highly recommend if you're looking for some local hospitality and an all around fun evening.
- Sophia Anthony October 27, 2017
My wife and I took Sato's cooking class in August 2017 and really enjoyed ourselves. Sato is a great host and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and cooking. We enjoyed the meal and it was a nice alternative to eating in a restaurant by ourselves. His apartment is convenient to central Tokyo. Strongly recommend!
- Justin August 28, 2017
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Satoru

$102-$148 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $148 Not offered
Alcohol
$6 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $148 Not offered
Alcohol
$6 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:30am-3:30pm

Meet Satoru

Satoru was born in Hokkaido and grew up surrounded by nature and large vegetable fields. As a child, he would always harvest fresh vegetables from his family's fields and cook with his mother and grandmother who were wonderful home cooks. His grandmother never compromised in quality or technique when cooking and taught him everything she knew. Satoru is now a passionate home cook himself. His grandfather owned an organic miso factory that Satoru believed to be the best in the world. Although it closed after his grandfather passed away, his grandfather passed down his miso making techniques to his mother who sends Sato her handmade organic miso. This miso is the secret of Satoru's signature miso soup, something you won't want to miss. Satoru enjoys teaching people about Japanese food and helping them explore his local culture through food. He believes that there are so many delicious homemade Japanese foods that cannot be found in the restaurants and delights in sharing these dishes with travelers.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-4 guests) After meeting Satoru at the JR Shinjuku station, you will walk together to his cozy apartment in the heart of Shinjuku. As you sip a welcome drink, Satoru will share stories about life and culture in Japan. You will then sit down to a traditional Japanese meal of home style Japanese dishes at his dining table. Depending on the day your menu might change. Your menu might include teishoku (a fixed plate of miso soup, donburi, tonjiru and rice) or chirashi sushi or Japanese street food treats like okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) or karaage (fried chicken). Sato is happy to tailor the menu to your preferences so feel free to request a particular dish when making your booking. Enjoy a laid-back, stress-free meal and conversation about Japanese cuisine and culture with this knowledgeable local.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Join Satoru in his small but efficient kitchen and learn how to cook 2-3 dishes from scratch. You can expect your cooking class to take about an hour and a half before you sit down and share the meal you helped to prepare over engaging conversation with Satoru. Feel free to ask him about the ingredients that go into making the dish from savory dashi to sweet organic honey and he will give you tips and a story relating to his choice.

Market visit: (2-4 guests) Please note that this is not a tour of a food market and will take place after your cooking class. Instead of a market tour, Satoru will take you on a street tour of a local district that tourists typically do not see. Stroll through the neighborhood with Satoru as he shares information about Japanese culture and trends.

Notes: Please note that a Cooking + Meal experience with Sato will take 2.5 hours instead of 3 hours, so the actual timings would be: 10:30AM - 1:00PM for Lunch, 6:00PM - 8:30PM for Dinner. Please ignore the 'Experience Timings' shown on the left hand side of this page.

Languages spoken: English, Japanese

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Wednesday Thursday Friday - everyone’s favorite Japanese meal day
  • Saturday-Sunday - Monday- Tuesday: A main of either Donburi or Bento, Miso soup and some sides.
  • Please check the menu in advance, specific days have specific menus. If you do not share your preference, the menu of the day will be cooked. So if you wish to make changes or have any restrictions, please inform the host ONE week in advance, or else the menu of the day will be cooked.

Traveler reviews

5.0 (15)
Excellent cooking class. Good fun. Food delicious. Real exposure to Japanese traditional food. Satoru speaks fluent English, is an excellent teacher and a warm and generous host.
- WallyBri January 30, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed our cooking course in Tokyo. Saturo was engaging, educational and fun. His menu was perfect for our family including teenagers. The meal was absolutely delicious, l highly recommend!!
- Sasha H April 15, 2023
Satoru is a gem of a human being and a cooking lesson with him should be on everyone's Tokyo trip itinerary. He made everything easy, enjoyable, and most importantly, delicious! We learned so much and will book another class when we return to Japan.
- steinno March 23, 2023
Really enjoyed to small group teaching since Satoru was able to explain in detail what was required and answer all our questions. Great sense of humour and good english for anyone considering taking this course. We'll go back next time we are in Tokyo to learn some more
- Mark M February 16, 2023
It is a must do in Tokyo. The food was so delicious. Thanks a lot to the Master Chef satoru. We shared a lot of storys and had a great time.
- Anonymous July 31, 2022
Our private cooking class with Sato was the highlight of our two week trip in Japan. He was knowledgable, friendly, hysterical and so welcoming. we immediately felt at home in his intimate kitchen and excellent attention to detail (he had music playing when we entered his apartment and even printed out all of the recipes for us to bring home.) He showed us areas of Tokyo that we would have never seen had we just wandered around as tourists. I cannot recommend Sato and his cooking classes enough. Unforgettable, educating and delicious!
- CourtRada September 01, 2019
Our private cooking class with Sato was one of our favorite parts of our 10-day trip to Japan. We learned so much and had the best time connecting personally with a local. Sato is hilarious, kind, and witty, and made us feel right at home - the class was interactive, yet relaxed. We also enjoyed meandering Shinjuku and Nakano with Sato and listening to his stories and fun facts. I'd highly recommend Sato's cooking class if you're looking for a unique food experience while in Tokyo!
- Heather Pavlik July 01, 2019
The cooking experience with Satoru-san more than exceeded my expectations. I reserved a cooking class as a surprise for my mom, who came to Japan for the first time to visit me as I live in Tokyo. The cooking class was one of the first things we did, and she could not stop talking about it for the entire rest of the trip! Satoru-san very kindly welcomed us into his home in Shinjuku, and the entire morning felt like cooking with a dear friend. Satoru-san very patiently explained each ingredient we cooked with, including his family's special miso, and entertained us with funny stories from his childhood. The entire experience was so fantastic that I might have to reserve another class with Satoru-san before I leave Japan!
- coleemie April 01, 2019
Satoru was a lovely host who opened his home graciously to share his knowledge of cooking and a meal with us. We made miso soup, several side dishes, and a sushi bowl, all of which were outstanding. He provided us suggestions throughout the cooking experience and gave us recipes to take with us. Satoru was very friendly, informative, and interesting to chat with throughout the experience. Great experience!
- Stefanie M March 01, 2019
My friend and I met Satoru at the train station and had a short walk to his home. Sato was a wealth of information and was always "on" providing background on the area and Tokyo life every step of the way. Cooking in a typical Tokyo flat was quite and adventure for an american living on the west coast. Amazing what you can accomplish in such a small space. Sato shared not just his home and kitchen but a slice of his life, his family, city and culture. An amazing experience overall and one that I would highly recommend. Oh, and the food was good too :)
- Damien K July 01, 2018
My 14 year old son and I had a great class with Satoru, thoroughly enjoyed it and had some great miso and gyoza - highly recommended.
- DBarnabyLloyd May 01, 2018
We had such a fantastic time with Satoru. He is a very funny and charming person. We prepared some tonkatsu porkcutlets with japanese curry. It was amazing! In addition we did a local tour and he showed us some wonderful non-touristic places. We also talked a lot about japanese culture, history und food. He has a very wide knowledge about Japan. We absolutely recommend him and would rebook him again.
- Vito M April 01, 2018
Whether it's your first time eating or cooking Japanese food or you have some prior experience, we'd highly recommend taking a class with Satoru. He is very talented, thoughtful, and observant. Non-judgmental, positive and encouraging. The food was delicious; we had a great time. Oishi!
- Scott & Rita Dilley November 17, 2017
We signed up for a lesson but 100% left with a friend. Sato's class was more than you could ask for on a trip to Tokyo. He welcomed us into his sweet place and immediately made us feel at home. The dinner was fresh, delicious and informative but what set the experience apart was his hospitality and charm. We ended with a tour around the area and drinks at his cool local bar. Highly recommend if you're looking for some local hospitality and an all around fun evening.
- Sophia Anthony October 27, 2017
My wife and I took Sato's cooking class in August 2017 and really enjoyed ourselves. Sato is a great host and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and cooking. We enjoyed the meal and it was a nice alternative to eating in a restaurant by ourselves. His apartment is convenient to central Tokyo. Strongly recommend!
- Justin August 28, 2017
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $148 Not offered
Alcohol
$6 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $102 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $148 Not offered
Alcohol
$6 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:30am-1:30pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:30am-3:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.