Mayuko's Little Kitchen

Japanese Home Cooking Classes in Tokyo

Mayuko's Little Kitchen is a Japanese home cooking class business operating in a small kitchen attached to the home of its founder, Mayuko, in central Tokyo. Classes are taught in English, last approximately three hours, and are designed to show what Japanese people really eat at home, beyond what restaurants offer. The company also organizes countryside classes and a nighttime food tour.

Background and History

Mayuko grew up in Choshi City, known for one of Japan's largest catches of fresh fish. Her mother was a professional cooking teacher, and her father's family has run a construction business for over 120 years. Before turning to culinary teaching, Mayuko worked at the cosmetics company LUSH, where she became a sub-manager. The idea for the classes came about after a series of encounters with a Finnish couple whom she guided around Tokyo and invited to dinner at her home. In January 2015, she opened Mayuko's Little Kitchen. Since then, more than 5,000 people from 35 countries have taken her classes.

Class Types and Experiences

The course offerings include several formats:

• Tokyo Class: held in the kitchen of Mayuko's home in central Tokyo. Participants prepare Japanese home-style dishes using practical techniques they can recreate in their own kitchens.
• Countryside Class: a cooking session in a rural setting.
• Survival Class: aimed at those who want to learn basic Japanese cooking skills.
• Night Tour: a nighttime food tour through authentic local establishments in the city.
• Team Cooking: a team cooking activity.

The first person or group to book a time slot chooses the menu for that class, in the case of Tokyo classes. Bookings open two months in advance; for example, on January 1st, bookings for March begin to be accepted.

Class Methodology and Content

Sessions combine recipe preparation with explanations of Japanese ingredients, seasonings, and table customs. Mayuko shares the cultural layers and everyday values behind Japanese home cooking. The atmosphere is participatory and enriched by attendees' questions and conversation. The company provides aprons, printed recipes for the selected course, all ingredients, and drinks included in the price. You don't need to bring anything except an interest in food. Classes are held in English and last approximately three hours.

Awards and Credentials

The company received the Judges' Award 2020 from the Food Project of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). In 2018, it was selected as one of the top ten activities in all of Japan. It has also earned the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice seal for the past eight years, an honor given to only 10% of the best-rated service providers. Mayuko holds the following certifications: Third-Class Decorative Sushi (JSIA Sushi Instructor Association), Spice Coordinator, Food Hygiene Supervisor, and First-Class Aromatherapy (Aroma Environment Association Japan).

Media Coverage

Mayuko's Little Kitchen has appeared in publications such as United Airlines' Hemispheres Magazine, Nikkei Style, Tokyo Cheapo, Savvy Tokyo, Tokyo Families Magazine, All About Japan, Art Consultant Yokohama, Contemporary Nomad, Framed By Sight, T Ching, Flavorful Journeys, and World Wide Brice.

Sustainability and Environment

The home where classes are held uses exclusively renewable solar electricity supplied by Minden, in line with the founder's sustainability principles.

Location and Contact

Phone: +81 80 3502 2005 · Email: mayuko@mayukoslittlekitchen.com