cooking schools
A vegan cooking class teaching healthy recipes using wholegrain products. Four lessons per month for ¥12,000. Classes can be either 7pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, or 2pm on Saturdays. You can find the schedule and the theme each lesson on their website. Lessons are, however, held in Japanese and regular classes are for women only. If you need one in English, they can arrange it for you if there are at least 2 participants. A trial lesson is also available for ¥2,000 (or ¥1,500 each if you go with a pal). Location: Shirogane 3-chome, a 5-minute walk from Shirokane-takanawa Station, Namboku Line.
Reserve your space or contact them either by e-mailing kiko@uchishoku.com or calling 090-6185-1235.
A macrobiotic school in a little apartment in Yoga (Denentoshi line). Around 20 students per class. There’s a wide range of courses, some themed by nationality, as well as “home remedy” classes on healing with macrobiotics, and a course called “Hail to Sea Veges”. They also have “tanpatsu” (one-off) classes. Tuition is in Japanese, but ropey language skills probably won’t hold you back here. Email wholefoods@e01.itscom.net for more info.
Yoshiko Imazato — a former Alishan Cafe chef — offers vegetarian cooking lessons in central Tokyo or at her home in Musashi-Murayama. The menu depends on the clients and may feature a particular theme such as a Sunday brunch menu or veggie party dishes. Imazato also shares ecological cooking practices, and helps you to “discover the not-well-known abilities of vegetables.” Tofu cream pumpkin quiche, coconut curry, or tahini pudding are a sampling of what can be offered in a four-hour session. Lessons at a private home cost ¥6,000 per person (transport is additional) with a minimum group size of five. Email kashinomori@gmail.com or call 090-4810-6399 for more information.
