Invite you to experience the hidden essence of fermentation and Washoku — the harmony between nature and body and spirit health. Guided by a fermentation experts, you’ll explore how koji and natural seasonings bring depth and life to every dish.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Duration: 2 hours
Date and Time: 10:00-12:00 Mon, Wed, Fri day, every week
Price: ¥20,000 per person
Language: English / Japanese
Location: Kyoto
Includes: Hands-on cooking, tasting and all ingredients with Fermentation expert
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Highlights
- Learn the essence of ichiju-sansai : Japanese traditional “one soup and three dishes” style, is established during the Edo period
- Discover the natural power of koji and fermented seasonings: From the perspectives of culture, taste and health
- A rare experience even for Japanese people: Compare traditional natural seasonings with factory-made seasonings
- Guided by experts in fermentation and health: The class will be taught by a cooking instructor who has experience teaching Japanese people, so you will learn at a Japanese level
- Cultural storytelling: Discover how fermentation connects to Japanese culture, sustainability, and the rhythm of daily life.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Experience Details
Discover the Origins of Washoku
Step into a journey through time and taste. From the elegant banquets of the Heian court to the humble family meals of the Edo period, washoku has always been a reflection of harmony between people, seasons, and nature. You’ll learn why washoku was honored by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage — not just as food, but as a philosophy of living with gratitude and awareness.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Learn the Philosophy of Ichiju-Sansai 「一汁三菜」
At the heart of Japanese dining lies ichiju-sansai — one soup and three dishes — a quiet balance between nourishment and mindfulness. In this section, you’ll discover how ingredients, guided by the rhythm of nature, come together through umami to create a meal that restores both body and spirit. It is not simply about cooking; it is about harmony, care, and respect in every detail.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Uncover the Secrets of Fermentation
In Japan, fermentation is not just a technique — it is a living connection with time. You’ll meet koji, a tiny microorganism that transforms simple ingredients into deep, layered flavors. At “耀 Hikari,” we use naturally fermented seasonings made by local craftmans across Japan. Each drop of miso or soy sauce carries the patience of months — sometimes years — of quiet fermentation, nurtured by nature itself.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Taste the Difference
Before we cook, you’ll taste two types of miso — one machine-made, and one naturally fermented.
As you close your eyes and let the flavors unfold, you’ll sense the gentle sweetness and depth that only traditional fermentation can reveal. It is a moment of awareness — of how something alive and unseen can transform flavor into harmony.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Explore the Menu
Together, we will prepare four fermented dishes that express the spirit of washoku. Each dish embodies balance — in taste, color, and energy — while celebrating the blessings of nature. Through koji and fermentation, ordinary ingredients are awakened, creating meals that are both simple and profound.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Cook, Learn, and Connect
As you cook alongside our instructor, you’ll learn not only methods but also meanings — why we stir slowly, why we pause to smell the aroma, and how warmth and care enter into taste. This is where culinary craft becomes mindfulness — where you connect with nature through your own hands.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Enjoy a Peaceful Tasting Moment
Finally, sit down to enjoy your creations with handcrafted Japanese tableware. Each bite carries a quiet story — of soil, seasons, and the art of waiting.
In this final moment, you’ll understand what “耀 Hikari” means:
the light that emerges when nature, time, and people come together in harmony — awakening your inner energy, balancing your gut, and allowing true vitality to shine from within.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Included
・All ingredients & utensils
・Hands-on cooking session
・Guided tasting of natural fermented condiments
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Instructor
Marie — A fermentation expert and Registered Dietitian
Shares the timeless beauty of Japanese washoku with guests from around the world. Her classes focus on reconnecting with nature’s rhythm through the art of fermentation.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Location
Held in a private space in Kyoto, easily accessible from major stations.
Room 302, FUSE Shijo, 555-3 Fujimotocho, Aburakoji-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City: Google map
Within a 10 minutes’ walk from Shijo Station (Subway: Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line), Karasuma Station or Omiya Station (Hankyu Line: Hankyu Kyoto Line).
*It is about a 15 minute walk from Nishiki Market.
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience
Reserve Your Seat
Rediscover the heart of Japanese cuisine through fermentation and flavor. Join “耀 Hikari” for a journey into the living wisdom of washoku.
Duration: 2 hours
Date and Time: 10:00-12:00 Mon, Wed, Fri day, every week
Price: ¥20,000 per person
Language: English / Japanese
Location: Kyoto
Includes: Hands-on cooking, tasting and all ingredients with Fermentation expert
Japanese fermentation, washoku, Japanese cooking class, Kyoto experience