Discover the heart of Nagano through its flavours, traditions, and timeless streets on this immersive cooking and culture tour. Perfect for food lovers, culture seekers, and curious travellers alike, this experience invites you into a traditional Japanese home where warmth, storytelling, and hospitality come together around the glowing hearth.
Your experience begins in a historic house that still preserves the charm of old Japan. There, you'll learn how to make oyaki—a humble yet iconic Nagano dumpling made from soft wheat dough and filled with seasonal vegetables like nozawana greens or sweet red bean paste. Guided by friendly locals, you’ll shape your own dumplings by hand, then roast them slowly over a crackling open flame in an irori, a traditional sunken hearth that once formed the heart of every countryside home. As the savoury aroma fills the room, you'll gain not just cooking skills, but a personal connection to a disappearing way of life. Once your dumplings are ready, sit down and enjoy them with a cup of soba tea, surrounded by the warmth of both fire and conversation.
After this cosy cooking session, your guide will lead you on a gentle walk through the quiet backstreets of Nagano, heading towards Zenkoji Temple—one of Japan’s oldest and most spiritually significant pilgrimage sites. As you stroll, you'll discover small, family-run shops, hidden alleyways, and charming details that reflect the slower rhythms of life in this mountain town. Meet local business owners, sample regional snacks, and learn about everyday customs, food etiquette, and the stories behind what people eat and why.
Throughout the tour, you'll experience the richness of Japanese culture not through explanations, but through connection—through flavour, through place, and through the people who call Nagano home. Whether you’re looking to explore Japanese food traditions, escape the usual tourist routes, or simply enjoy a relaxed afternoon filled with good company and warm dumplings, this tour offers a truly memorable and delicious glimpse into the spirit of Nagano.
Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
