Learn Kawaii wagashi making over matcha
奈良市, JapanPart of the Airbnb Cooking collection
Check local COVID-19 related recommendations or restrictions before booking.
In-person Airbnb Experiences are available in this region. Please review and follow local COVID-19 related recommendations or restrictions. Learn More
Cooking experience hosted by Masao
60 mins
Japanese
Up to 5 people
Hosted in English, French, Japanese
What you'll do
We'll first show you our showcase of our original designed sweets before we start class! Then "Ta-da!" I invite you to enter my atelier normally customers cannot come in & here we go! A local fluent translator Atsuo will help me in explaining details about wagashi ingredients, motifs, and technique! First you will learn about basic ingredients, materials and tools for making wagashi using visual chart, and I will demonstrate the basic skills step by step for you to follow and do the same way by modelling, moulding, and shaping your own Japanese sweet. You can learn not only the basic skills of making, but also the beauty of Japanese traditional colours used and how I express seasons in the design of the "sweets". Don't worry, you can take your time at your own pace, and focus on getting inspiration and enjoying the making! There are some difficult techniques where I will help you. :-) Also, you can ask me to take photos of your making as you have to keep your hands clean! Making will be about 40 minutes, and when finished, we will have a matcha tea time to taste your own wagashi. My wife will also pack the remaining wagashi for your taking out! Ingredients are red beans(azuki), white kidney beans, sugar, yam potato, agar, and edible colors from vegetables and plants. Sometimes I may use egg yolk or rice powder, which I can avoid to use if you ask me in advance.
Other things to note
After the experience, we will serve you matcha tea (included in the price), and you can eat your own sweets you made through your experience. For wagashi you will make I only use natural edible colors from vegetables and plants.
Other things to note
After the experience, we will serve you matcha tea (included in the price), and you can eat your own sweets you made through your experience. For wagashi you will make I only use natural edible colors from vegetables and plants.
We'll first show you our showcase of our original designed sweets before we start class! Then "Ta-da!" I invite you to enter my atelier normally customers cannot come in & here we go! A local fluent translator Atsuo will help me in explaining details about wagashi ingredients, motifs, and technique! First you will learn about basic ingredients, materials and tools for making wagashi using visual chart, and I will demonstrate the basic skills…
Masao's commitment to safety
This host committed to Airbnb’s COVID-19-related safety and cleaning guidelines—including adhering to social distancing guidelines, practicing good hygiene, and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.
What's included
- Food3 pieces of Japanese sweets (wagashi called "Nerikiri")
- DrinksJapanese matcha tea
From $36
/ person
- 25 Reviews
- Identity verified
The founder (my father) started Toraya 56 years ago.
I started to learn from him making of Wagashi at the age of 18, and I succeeded Toraya at the age of 28. Our motto hasn't been changed since the foundation, which is to continue creating Wagashi appreciated by five senses of people to make them feel happy. Now my creativity expands to produce Neco-Wagashi ( Kitty cat motif sweets). I created this for Annual Naramachi (Historic area we belong) event called "Nyara-machi Neco fest" ( Cat festival where many shops sell something related to cat).
For this experience I only use edible colors from natural ingredients such as vegetables and flowers. A local fluent translator Atsuo will help me in explaining details about wagashi ingredients, motifs, and technique, so let's enjoy the conversation as well!
I started to learn from him making of Wagashi at the age of 18, and I succeeded Toraya at the age of 28. Our motto hasn't been changed since the foundation, which is to continue creating Wagashi appreciated by five senses of people to make them feel happy. Now my creativity expands to produce Neco-Wagashi ( Kitty cat motif sweets). I created this for Annual Naramachi (Historic area we belong) event called "Nyara-machi Neco fest" ( Cat festival where many shops sell something related to cat).
For this experience I only use edible colors from natural ingredients such as vegetables and flowers. A local fluent translator Atsuo will help me in explaining details about wagashi ingredients, motifs, and technique, so let's enjoy the conversation as well!
The founder (my father) started Toraya 56 years ago.
I started to learn from him making of Wagashi at the age of 18, and I succeeded Toraya at the age of 28. Our motto hasn't been changed since the foundation, which is to continue creating Wagashi appreciated by five senses of people to make them feel happy. Now my creativity expands to produce Neco-Wagashi ( Kitty cat motif sweets). I created this for Annual Naramachi (Historic area we belong) event called "Nyara-machi Neco fest" ( Cat…
I started to learn from him making of Wagashi at the age of 18, and I succeeded Toraya at the age of 28. Our motto hasn't been changed since the foundation, which is to continue creating Wagashi appreciated by five senses of people to make them feel happy. Now my creativity expands to produce Neco-Wagashi ( Kitty cat motif sweets). I created this for Annual Naramachi (Historic area we belong) event called "Nyara-machi Neco fest" ( Cat…
About the organization: ウェルネスインバウンド協会
Nara Wellness Tourism (Wellness Inbound Association) is a non-profit organization providing private tourist, families, corporate retreats, etc. with unique and detailed (not touristy) experiences of Nara. https://www.gonarastay.com/ They help Nara-based shrines, temples, ryokans, stores, and individuals, etc. to be recognized globally.
This is a social impact experience where 100% of what you pay for this experience goes to ウェルネスインバウンド協会.
AIRBNB EXPERIENCES
Passionate cooks
Learn traditional recipes and hear personal stories from local hosts.
Intimate settings
Share a meal in unique spaces, from private farms to secret rooftops.
Vetted by Airbnb
Every experience is reviewed for authentic culinary traditions.
Where you'll be
Nara is often said as enough to spare 3hours just by watching Great Buddha and deer, but in fact has many authentic cultural heritage born before Heian-era of Kyoto capital. It has historical roots of Tea Ceremony, Biwa lute, Wagashi, Buddhism and Shinto practice.
Toraya is situated in comparatively calm and quiet area called "Naramachi", former precinct of Gangoji-temple, and is now appraised as nostalgic space for promenade and shopping.
Toraya is situated in comparatively calm and quiet area called "Naramachi", former precinct of Gangoji-temple, and is now appraised as nostalgic space for promenade and shopping.
Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 25 reviews.
My partner and I really enjoyed having a hands on experience making Wagashi. The master made all of the materials, gave us clear instructions and information about each part, and was very kind. The shop has been in business for a long time and just being in the shop felt like getting to experience a piece of Nara’s history. I would highly recommend this air bnb experience!
My partner and I really enjoyed having a hands on experience making Wagashi. The master made all of the materials, gave us clear instructions and information about each part, and w…
Even if you don't know wagashi very well, like my boyfriend, you can truly have fun. And if you are already into the world of wagashi, you will feel amazed on how chef Masao San can, in a very short time, make you comfortable about the subject. He and Atsuo San, the interpreter, were very friendly and attentive. It was an admirable experience that I'll take for my life and made my travel even more special. Masao San, Atsuo San, thank you very much!
Even if you don't know wagashi very well, like my boyfriend, you can truly have fun. And if you are already into the world of wagashi, you will feel amazed on how chef Masao San ca…
Choose from available dates
14 available
1 / 2
Dietary preferences
If requested, the host can accommodate the dietary needs listed. You must let the host know before the experience if you’d like an accommodation.
Pescatarian
Fish allergy
Dairy-free
Soy-free
Gluten-free
Vegetarian
Shellfish allergy
Tree nut allergy
Vegan
Egg-free
Peanut allergy
Things to know
Cancellation policy
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase, or at least 7 days before the experience starts.
Government ID
You’ll need to take a picture of yourself that matches the photo on your ID. This is so Airbnb can confirm who’s actually going on the experience. You’ll only have to do this once.
Guest requirements
Up to 5 guests ages 6 and up can attend.
What to bring
Good appetite (do not eat too much lunch!)