Solo Travel Trend: Why Cooking Classes in Japanese Homes are Surprising Solo Travelers

Hello everyone!☺️

Have you noticed how “Solo Travel” has been booming worldwide?🌍
Instead of just ticking off famous sightseeing spots, more and more solo travelers are seeking authentic, deep local experiences to truly connect with the culture.🇯🇵

Today, we’re diving into the latest trend data from “airKitchen”—a platform connecting travelers with local home-cooking experiences—and sharing a curated list of top Solo-Friendly cooking classes across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto!🌃

📈 About 1 in 5 Guests is a Solo Traveler!✈️

According to airKitchen’s internal user analysis, about 20% of all bookings are made by solo travelers (single-person bookings).

2022: 38.43%

2023: 22.56%

2024: 19.08%

2025: 19.16%

2026 (Jan): 20.43%

Since the post-pandemic period, solo traveler utilization has remained stable at around 20%. This proves that combining solo travel with local cooking classes is no longer a fleeting trend, but a well-established travel style.

Why Do Solo Travelers Love airKitchen?

Small-group, intimate classes in a local host’s home

Direct, meaningful interaction with the host and fellow guests

A safe, welcoming, and personal atmosphere

Unlike large group tours, visiting a home kitchen allows solo travelers to build genuine connections with locals. Guests frequently share feedback like, “Being on my own made the conversation so much deeper,” or “It was a warm local experience I couldn’t get on a standard tour.”

With over 100 classes welcoming single bookings and language support tools in place, airKitchen continues to expand its “Solo Friendly” offerings nationwide.

🍵 Recommended Solo-Friendly Classes by City

Here is a curated lineup of top-rated “Solo Friendly” cooking classes you can join even as a solo traveler!

🗼 Tokyo Area

Let’s enjoy Japanese tea ceremony with handmade WAGASHI at home in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo “Solo Friendly “!!

Solo Friendly! Private class in Seasonal Mochi-making with Japanese Tea in a Japanese home.

Ramen and Gyoza -Vegan Options Available

Solo Friendly Japanese Vegan & gluten free Buddhist Cuisine Cooking Class (Shojin Ryori )

Japanese Home Cooking Class-Choose 2 Dishes-Tonkatsu•Karaage•Okonomiyaki•Omurice•Tempura• Sukiyaki•Teriyaki chicken• Japanese Humburg•Gyoza

🐙 Osaka Area

Solo friendly! Japanese home cooking class in Osaka

Private All-in-One Osaka Food Tour at Home: Okonomiyaki & Fruit Mochi -SOLO FRIENDLY-

[Private cooking class] Delicious Homemade Miso Gyoza & Shiratama Wagashi Cooking Class Fun for Solo Travelers, Friends, Families, Groups & Vegetarians

⛩️ Kyoto Area

Home-style Ramen with Homemade Gyoza made from scratch & Cucumber pickles (Solo-friendly)

The Japanese traditional noodles’ soba ‘ made from scratch. The Vegans and the vegetarians are welcomed. And we happily accept solo guests, but we especially welcome small groups of two or more (Max 4 people)

Kyoto style Tantanmen（Ramen noodles）Let’s make it together 「Solo Friendly」

If you are thinking, “I’d love to host a class!” or “I want to learn how to cook while traveling!”, be sure to check out airKitchen ✨

▶ Find a Class
▶ Become a Host