Washoku Class by Japanese Cuisine Chef
What You Will Gain from This Tour
1. Learn Washoku, UNESCO-listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage, from a certified chef in English.
2. Study Japanese culture through Washoku’s nutritional perspective, such as the "Ichiju Sansai" concept.
3. Receive guidance on Washoku etiquette from a chef who is also an etiquette instructor.
Learn the culture, cooking methods, and etiquette of Washoku all at once and become a Washoku expert!
Washoku is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Japan, with its long north-south stretch and distinct four seasons, has a diverse and abundant natural environment. The food culture that emerged in this setting has also been nurtured in harmony with nature. Based on the Japanese mindset of 'respecting nature,' the traditional dietary customs of Japan, titled 'Washoku: Traditional Dietary Cultures of the Japanese,' have been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Reasons for Registration:
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Respect for diverse, fresh ingredients and their natural flavors → A wide variety of fresh ingredients from the mountains, sea, and countryside are prepared using five methods: raw, grilling, boiling, frying, and steaming
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A healthy diet with excellent nutritional balance → 'Ichiju Sansai' (one soup and three dishes) promotes balanced eating with the concept of eating until 80% full
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Expression of nature’s beauty and seasonal transitions → Seasonal ingredients are used, and the presentation, including the choice of tableware, emphasizes the sense of season (the importance of the five natural colors)
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Close connection with annual events → Ritual foods associated with seasonal festivals, such as those seen in traditional celebrations, are deeply connected to daily life, with food and lifestyle being integrated and shared across generations and regions.
Check Availability
Minimum number of participants: 2 people
Maximum number of participants: 6 people
Available Time Slots for the Washoku Cooking Class: 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00 (Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours)
What to Do in Washoku Class?
Your Washoku class will be held in the former kitchen of a Kaiseki restaurant at 'Chawa Masudaya' in Okubo, Shinjuku Ward.
In the Washoku class, you will be guided by an instructor, Emiko Masuda, who holds a chef’s license and is an expert in both Japanese tea ceremony and cuisine. You will be served traditional Japanese dishes that are deeply connected to the tea ceremony.
Experience a higher level of washoku class, not just eating, but truly engaging with the culture—something you can’t experience elsewhere.
Participants will watch the instructor's cooking demonstration. Afterward, under the instructor's guidance, each participant will prepare one dish themselves.
The Dishes Provided Will Include
Miso soup (a fermented food that’s gaining a lot of attention)
Rice (rice-based foods like onigiri are becoming increasingly popular)
Plus:
3 dishes - a main dish (protein such as meat or fish) and 2 side dishes.
During the meal, you will also receive a lesson on Japanese dining etiquette.
The Basics of Washoku: Ichiju Sansai
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Ichiju → Soup
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Sansai → Main dish + 2 side dishes
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Rice
Nutritional balance is important.
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Main dish → Protein (examples: fish, meat, eggs, tofu)
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Side dishes → Examples: vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, beans, seaweed
Learn Washoku Etiquette
There are also rules for how to eat and how to hold the bowls.
Just like other cuisines, Japanese food has its own etiquette for enjoying meals with family and others.
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How to hold rice bowls and plates
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How to hold chopsticks
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How to use chopsticks (There are 8 forbidden actions)
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The order of eating
Master these and become a Japanese food connoisseur!
Emiko Masuda - Profile
Founded in 1930, the long-established "Sawa Masudaya" offers an ideal tea ceremony class where a tea master provides direct instruction in English. Ms. Masuda is a rare tea master who also holds a chef's license. She is active internationally, not only teaching in Japan but also at universities abroad. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in traditional arts and conducts specialized classes in tea gatherings, focusing on both the tea ceremony and the rituals of kaiseki cuisine.
Tea Ceremony Activity History (From 1992)
1995: Studied abroad in the UK.
2001: Participated in a Japanese cuisine exchange program in Greece invited by the Greek government.
Stayed in the USA and Canada, studied Anatomy Art through the Student League, and served as an assistant at a cooking class in Manhattan, researching food culture.
Participated in the North American Tea Ceremony Tournament in Los Angeles.
2002: Oslo - Accompanied the Grand Master as a member of the delegation to the Japanese Embassy in Norway.
Participated in a WCRP aid inspection visit to Cambodia and Vietnam.
Participated in the South American Tea Ceremony Tournament in Mexico.
2004-2005: Held tea ceremony classes in Shanghai.
2006: While stationed in Shanghai, conducted lectures and demonstrations on Japanese culture, including the tea ceremony.
At the request of the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai, gave lectures on Japanese culture to local university students and faculty.
Delivered lectures and demonstrations on Japanese culture, morals, and the history of tea ceremony during Japan Culture Month in Anhui Province, organized by the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai.
Performed and gave lectures on the tea ceremony at the Pudong International Fair and at temples in Shanghai.
2007: Taught tea ceremony in Shanghai.
2008: Completed one-year residential training at the Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony in Kyoto. Obtained a license to teach tea ceremony in schools.
Gave lectures and practical demonstrations on tea ceremony and Kaiseki cuisine at Anhui University Auditorium, as part of a Japanese fair organized by the Japanese Embassy.
2009: Earned a master's degree in Traditional Arts from Takarazuka University of Arts.
2011: Demonstrated the tea ceremony at the China-Japan-Korea Tea Culture Conference.
Conducted tea ceremony classes and instructed on Japanese dining manners.
Gave lectures on Japanese dining etiquette and hospitality.
Collaborated with various TV programs and assisted in filming for movies.
2012: Delivered a lecture on the tea ceremony at a Rotary Club meeting in Kawasaki.
2016: Provided tea ceremony instruction for the movie Mumon: The Land of Stealth and the V-cinema Tadano Hitoshi.
Led a tea ceremony demonstration and tea serving at the Japanese Consulate-General in Shanghai during the Emperor's birthday celebration.
2017: Received an award for tea ceremony experiences for foreign visitors in the "Gurunavi Japan" category.
Entered Urasenke and was appointed as the chief instructor stationed at the Tianjin branch in China.
2019: As the branch office representative in China, instructed over 1,100 students in tea ceremony at various universities, including Tianjin Foreign Studies University, Tianjin University of Commerce, Nankai University, Zhejiang University, etc. (Teaching 25 students per class x 10 classes = 250 students per term, across four terms = 1,000 students instructed.)
Additionally, provided tea ceremony instruction to ministers and diplomats' wives at the Japanese Embassy in China.
Began teaching tea ceremony at Yokota Air Base for the Self-Defense Forces.
May 2020: Established Chawa Masudaya LLC.
Washoku Class Information
Meeting point
Chawa Masudaya
Meeting place will be decided upon consultation with the customer.
Hotel pickup is also available for an additional fee.
Tour Duration
Approximately 2.5-3 hours.
Accessibility
Everyone is welcome to participate. Of course, children who can walk are also welcome to join, accompanied by a parent.
Please inform us in advance if you have any food allergies.
Check Availability
Minimum number of participants: 2 people
Maximum number of participants: 6 people
Available Time Slots for the Washoku Cooking Class: 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00 (Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours)
Insurance
We are covered by Tour Operator Liability Insurance, so you can join our tours with peace of mind. In the event of an injury during the tour, please go to a hospital promptly with your guide and receive a medical examination. If the hospital confirms that the injury was due to an accident during the tour, we will cover the medical expenses. However, please note that if the hospital does not recognize the injury as tour-related, we will not be able to cover the expenses.