Authentic Gyoza Experience at a Local Home – Culture & Conversation
Menu
・Duo of Cold Tofu (Hiyayakko)
Modern Style & Classic Japanese Style
・Handmade Gyoza, Donabe Rice & Miso Soup
(Vegan option available)
・Japanese-style Seasonal Dessert
Seasonal treats may include Japanese strawberry cake, matcha cake, fresh fruits, or vanilla ice cream with kinako & kuromitsu.
Experience
In this experience, you will learn how to make authentic Japanese gyoza in a warm and welcoming local home in Tokyo.
Together with Toshi and Demi, you will prepare the filling, wrap the dumplings, and cook them while learning simple techniques you can recreate at home. Since most Japanese families use ready-made gyoza wrappers, this experience reflects real everyday cooking culture in Japan.
Demi trained for 8 years under a chef from Hilton Tokyo’s famous Chinese restaurant “Dynasty” (Ocho), and shares professional techniques for creating perfectly pleated gyoza with a crispy golden bottom and juicy filling.
More than just a cooking class, this is also a relaxed cultural exchange experience. Through conversation with Toshi and Demi, guests can learn about Japanese communication styles, work culture, daily life, and the values behind Japanese society in a natural and welcoming atmosphere.
Gyoza is a dumpling using wrapping thing dough to hold the inner ingredients. Most commonly, minced pork, cabbage, Garlic and Leek. The origin of Gyoza is from China but it has evolved uniquely in Japan and now quite different from the Chinese one.
Rice is a staple food in Japan. In all most every family, there is a rice cooker. There is variety of Japanese rice brands such as Koshihikari and Hitomebore.
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup. It's base is "dashi" (Japanese fish stock) and Miso paste. Common added ingredients are Tofu, Green onion and deep‐fried tofu but differs by personal preference. The type of miso is different from region. In western and Easter Japan white miso is mostly used.
Gyoza is one of the most popular dishes in Japan, enjoyed both at home
and in restaurants. These delicious dumplings have a juicy filling
wrapped in a thin skin, with a crispy bottom and soft top.
In this experience, you will learn how to make gyoza step by step in a
real Japanese home. First, we introduce the ingredients and explain
how gyoza is part of everyday life in Japan. Then, you will prepare
the filling together and learn how to wrap gyoza by hand.
Even if it is your first time, you will learn simple, professional
techniques that help you make delicious gyoza with ease.
This is a fun and interactive process, and everyone can enjoy making
their own gyoza.
After that, we cook the gyoza together and enjoy them fresh while they
are hot and crispy.
Through this hands-on experience, you will not only learn how to cook,
but also experience the warmth of Japanese home-style dining.
Please arrive at Gakugei-daigaku Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. There is only one ticket gate, and we will be waiting just outside holding a “Gyoza Experience” sign. From Shibuya, take a Local or Express train (about 6 minutes). Please note that the Limited Express does not stop at this station. We will then walk together to my home (about 10–15 minutes). On the way, we will pass through a lively local shopping street, so you can experience everyday life in Tokyo. Looking forward to meeting you!
Welcome drink and introduction to my cooking class You can choose a drink such as green tea, coffee, tea, or soft drinks. Feel free to bring your own drinks (BYO) if you like. I will explain what we are going to make and guide you through the recipe step by step. You will also receive the recipe as a gift so you can recreate the dishes at home!
Before making gyoza, we will prepare simple Japanese side dishes together. You will make a refreshing tofu dish (hiyayakko) with different toppings, such as a modern style with chili oil and celery, and a classic style with bonito flakes and soy sauce. At the same time, we will start cooking Koshihikari rice in a traditional clay pot (donabe), just like in a Japanese home.
We will start making gyoza together step by step. First, we prepare the filling using fresh ingredients. Then, I will show you how to wrap gyoza by hand using ready-made wrappers, just as many Japanese families do at home. You will also learn simple tips to make juicy filling and achieve a perfect crispy bottom.
Finally, we will enjoy the meal together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You will taste your handmade gyoza with freshly cooked Koshihikari rice, miso soup, and simple Japanese side dishes. For dessert, enjoy vanilla ice cream topped with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (black sugar syrup). This is also a great time to relax, ask questions, and enjoy conversation about life and culture in Japan. If you're interested, I can also introduce some Japanese sake or whisky during the meal.
My name is Toshi, and I am based in Tokyo. I host warm and authentic
home cooking experiences, sharing everyday Japanese food and culture
with guests from around the world.
I spent over 40 years working at a global company, including time in
the United States, supporting cross-cultural communication. These
experiences shaped my interest in connecting with people from
different backgrounds.
My partner, Demi, supports the experience with her background in
language education and international support. She also trained under a
professional chef from Hilton Tokyo Dynasty, bringing professional
knowledge into our home-style cooking.
Together, we create a welcoming space where guests can relax, enjoy
home-style dishes, and discover real Japan through conversation.
The closest station
Gakugeidaigaku Station
How to get to the station?
From Shibuya Station: 10mins
Free pick up service
This host can pick up you for free from the closest station!
Exact location provided after booking.
Alena, United Kingdom
★★★★★We had an absolutely amazing experience with Demi and Toshi!! They are a lovely couple eager to share their experiences and skills, and have such a warm and welcoming home. We were met at the station and walked back to the apartment for easy navigation, and then greeted with drinks and an explanation of the recipe we were going to make. We even received a printed copy of the recipe to take back home! The cooking class itself was very interactive and Demi was incredibly helpful in directing us. We managed to make three pans of delicious gyoza, miso soup and rice, as well as a starter. On top of the that, Demi and kindly surprised us with a delicious strawberry cake as dessert. Thank you again for treating us so kindly and being so welcoming! We had so much fun and would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to experience a local home and meet two amazing people. Thank you!!
Apr 2026
Response from Otaguro
Dear Alena,
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience through airKitchen.
It was such a pleasure spending time with you, and we’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the gyoza cooking experience, as well as our home and hospitality. Your kind words mean a lot to us.
We’re especially glad you enjoyed making gyoza together and the little surprise dessert too.
Moments like these are exactly why we love hosting.
We were truly impressed by how well you worked together as a team—it was wonderful to see.
And everyone’s smiles were absolutely lovely.
As a small tip, adding about 50g more meat can make the gyoza even juicier!
We’ve also sent you many photos of your beautiful smiles by email—we hope they bring back happy memories!
We hope the recipe brings back happy memories when you try it again at home.
If you ever come back to Japan, our home is always open to you.
Wishing you all the best on your future travels!
Warm regards,
Demi & Toshi
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Response from Otaguro
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Please go to Gakugeidaigaku Station which takes 10 mins from Shibuya Station. Then Otaguro (host) will pick you up there!
It costs 10000 per person.
Yes, Learn to Make Authentic Japanese Gyoza at a Local Home has a vegetarian option.
Duration of this cooking class is 3 hours.
Yes, Learn to Make Authentic Japanese Gyoza at a Local Home has a vegan option.
Up to 5 people can join Otaguro's cooking class.
You will receive the confirmation within 24 hours.
We accepts these cards on airKitchen.
Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to the class begins will be fully refunded by the airKitchen cancellation policy.
