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

Andreas Mertl, Austria

We had a great experience with Ikuyo san. She was a lovely host and gave us a great introduction into the art of tea ceremony and the Japanese culture.

Apr 2025

Lennart Stein, Germany

The tea ceremony with Ikuyo was a one of a kind experience! Everything went smoothly. We even had the honor to see the charcoal arrangement befor the tea ceremony. Also Ikuyo's Husband joined for the ceremony which was very nice. Since the ceremony takes place at the House of Ikuyo and her husband you can really get the chance to See how local japanese live. Ikuyo and here husband explained every step of the ceremony and we also talked afterwards and got to know each other a little bit. It was a very private and intimate tea ceremony and we really felt welcomed as guests at their house. We even made our own Matcha under guidance of Ikuyo and served it to each other, so we could see how it feels to do a small part of the ceremony. I can recommend the ceremony with Ikuyo from the bottom of my heart If you want to experience a real traditional sadō at a japanese Home! Thank you Ikuyo for the unique experience! It was a great pleasure to meet you and your husband!

Apr 2025

Trevor, United States of America

It was a fantastic experience! Ikuyo explained everything in great detail, and we made tea ourselves! It was great to be welcomed in to someone’s home and learn about their life and culture.

Jun 2024

Angela, United States of America

Ikuyo was an excellent tea ceremony guide! We thoroughly enjoyed the private class, prepared space, and delicious wagashi sweets and tea. Highly recommend!

Dec 2024

Céline, France

It was one of the best experience i had in Tokyo. Ikuyo knows a lot about the tea ceremony and really likes to share it. She picked me up at the station. She explained the tea ceremony and made it after with some snacks she made herself, then i was able to try to make it myself. I was a solo traveller and it was just her, one of her friend and me. Thanks to her friend i would also learn to be a good guest during the ceremony without interupting Ikuyo . Bonus: she took pictures and video of me trying to do the tea You would bit regret to Book the tea ceremony with Ikuyo.

Oct 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for coming my class Celine. I’m really happy to have nice review from you. Thank you. My friend and I had also great time with you. It was fun to talk to you. Thank you for joining!!

Anna, Germany

Meeting Ikuyo-san was a delight. I could not think of a better way to spend my last afternoon in Tokyo as with her and the beautiful, meditative tea ceremony she showed and explained to me. Thank you, Ikuyo-san, for having me and for this wonderful experience. I hope to see you again!

Nov 2024

Thomas, Hong Kong

It was an amazing experience with Master Kono and her husband. Master Kono has been very repsonsive and messaged me promplty immediately after I made the booking. We were given very clear instructions for the pickup and her husband gave us a round trip from station to their home/classroom. Master Kono was very professional and explained the history and procedures of tea ceremony to us patiently. Her English was fluent and easy to understand. Homemade wakashi tasted wonderfully delicious! It was a very nice afternoon chit-chating and learing about tea ceremony with Master Kono and her husband. Will definitely come again for the next visit in Tokyo.

Jul 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for really great review Thomas. We also had a good time with you. You already had some experience of tea ceremony,even that you felt happy my class. I’m so happy about that. I always welcome you . Thank you for joining.

Sade, United States of America

Ikuyo and her husband Keita were gracious hosts. We had a great time at their tea ceremony. It was special and educational. We would definitely go again and we can't thank them enough for their hospitality. Highly recommended experience near Tokyo.

Jul 2024

Sade, United States of America

Ikuyo and her husband, Keita, are wonderfully warm and welcoming hosts. The tea experience was extremely educational, immersive, and enlightening. My partner and I are so glad we chose to book this experience-- definitely unique and one of a kind. I highly recommend Ikuyo's class to anyone looking for a friendly and authentic tea experience in the Tokyo area!!!

Jul 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for joining my class. My husband and I had an also joyful time with you and your partner. We hope to see you again.

Brad Docimo, United States of America

This was one of our best experiences in Japan. They hosted us in their beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood that was the perfect setting for a traditional tea ceremony. Transportation instructions were perfectly clear, and we had no problems at all. Highly recommend, and we will definitely come again for a follow on lesson if we are ever back in Tokyo.

Jun 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your great review. We were happy and had a lot of fun with you and your daughter. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Thank you for joining.

Trevor, United States of America

It was a fantastic experience! Ikuyo explained everything in great detail, and we made tea ourselves! It was great to be welcomed in to someone’s home and learn about their life and culture.

Jun 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice review. We are so happy that young people are interested in Japanese culture and enjoy it. Thank you again.

Jorie, United States of America

We had a very wonderful time being educated on tea ceremony! Ikuyo and her husband were such a delight to talk to and learn from and they provided us a joyful and thought-provoking experience! Wish we could provide more stars!

May 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Hi Jorie. Thank you for your really nice review. I’m so happy about that. We also had tea great experience with you all. Your thoughts & questions has really deep meaning. It’s also nice for us. Please have a nice trip ^_^

Brendan, United States of America

This was a terrific experience. She took time to explain all the aspects of the history, culture, and ceremony. We (2 adults, 2 teens) went step by step and learned the customs. She was very skilled, smooth, and elegant as she performed the ceremony. And went above and beyond to help us with travel to and from. Could not have been happier with this experience.

Apr 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Hi,Brendan. Thank you for your really great review. I’m so happy. We had a good time with you and your family. If your son come to Japan as an exchange student,and he needs some help,please contact me. Thank you again.

Viktor, Sweden

We had great time both watching Ikuyo perform the ceremony and performing it ourselves. The tea ceremony was very professionally done whilst still being a very personal learning experience.

Apr 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for nice review. We enjoyed a lot. I’m happy that young people are interested in Japanese culture . Thank you for joining.

Alain, Canada

Ikuyo showed us great hospitality when she welcomed us into her home. She demonstrated different aspects of the Tea Ceremony, including a portion of the preparation which, as she explained, is not part of the actual Ceremony itself. Ikuyo and her apprentice performed the Tea Ceremony for us, and instructed us on how to comport ourselves as guests to the Ceremony. Ikuyo also coached us each individually on how to make our own matcha Her hearth-equipped tatami tea room is in a modern Japanese home in the suburbs of Yokohama. For those who are interested in seeing how the Tea Ceremony is performed in a modern setting, this is a great opportunity. And as one of her pupils of many years was also present, we got to see how students of the Tea Ceremony receive instruction from the Tea Master. All in all, we really enjoyed our experience with Ikuyo. I recommend it to anyone who likes what is written above.

Apr 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your great review. I’m really happy that you and your mother enjoyed tea ceremony in my place. Thank you for joining my class .

Alf, Germany

Dear Ikuyo-san, Thank you and your husband for the wonderful learning experience, and that you welcomed us so warmly into your home. Hope to see you again in the future. Best regards, Sarah and Alf

Mar 2024

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice review Sarah & Alf. We also had a good time with you two. Yes we are waiting next time to see again.

Joseph , United States of America

One of the best culture experiences we have had in our stay in Japan. Yuta-san was a great host! Definitely a must to experience!

Jan 2024

Christopher, United States of America

I had a great time! Looking forward to another encounter!

Nov 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your review ^_^ I was happy you joined my class again. I hope see you soon.

Soeren Kwasigroch, Germany

I gladly got a ceremony with ikuyo-san one day in advance, which I not found at the other places I looked. But it is a little outside Tokyo but connected by train well. Ikuyo-san organised the pick up from the train station by a friend very well. The tea ceremony was at her house with her friend. It was good, she encouraged me to look closely, ask questions and make photos. The sweats was really tasty. The Macha as well. At the end I could have a few questions to got the purpose of tea ceremony in the samurai period and after it. The chatted also a bit over Germany where I came from. It was a pleasant experience of the japanese culture I wanted to do in my holiday. It a bit more expensive then other places I could find.

Oct 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice comment. I and my friend had a really fun time with you. I was happy that you choose my class. If you have a chance to come, I would like you to try winter style Japanese tea ceremony. Thank you for joining.

Paulino , United States of America

Our tea ceremony with Ikuyo was wonderful! The sweets was amazing, the was marvelous, and the hospitality was incredible!! Great hosts! Thank you both for the experience!

Oct 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice review. We are so happy about that. If you have a chance,to join in winter style. Thank you again.

Scheitel, France

It was a really enjoyable experience to discover the traditionnal tea ceremony with Ikuyo san and her friend. The ambiance was excellent as we were able to sit in a specific room in her house for the tea ceremony . Explanations were clear and detailled and the home made sweet were a very good addition. Both of our teachers were very friendly. I highly recommend to try the experience, or the second class proposed for tradionnal japanese sweets making.

Oct 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you so much for the happy review for me. It was really good time for us. If you have some chance to come to Japan,please join winter style tea ceremony and making sweets class.

Susanne, Germany

The tea ceremony experience with Ikuyo was just perfect. Ikuyo is such a great and welcoming host which had just the right degree of showing, guiding, explaining and let one do most things yourself. She was so kind to pick us up and drop us off at the station and let us in her beautiful tea room. There she at first showed us how tea ceremony works and then we were able to do it ourselves. We had cups of matcha tea accompanied by tea sweets Ikuyo prepared herself. Just wonderful! And Ikuyo was so kind to reply to all our questions and in the end we talked longer than we payed for… If you want to experience tea ceremony with a wonderful host, this is yours :)

Aug 2023

Emily, United States of America

I am so glad that I was able to have this cultural experience before leaving Japan! The directions to get to the class were easy to follow and I enjoyed chatting. Arigatou gozaimasu!

Aug 2023

Maike, Germany

The tea ceremony with Ikuyo and her husband was an amazing experience, definitively one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Sweets and tea were delicious and the english explanations were great. But most of all our time in the tearoom felt personal and unique - one could really feel the spirit of hospitality, that lies in the heart of a tea ceremony.

Aug 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for coming to my class. My husband and I also had a really fun time with you guys. I’m happy that you felt the hospitality of tea ceremony. I hope you will come back here. You can feel something different in winter style of tea ceremony.

Bernadet, Netherlands

My boyfriend Thijs and I had a great experience with Ikuyo. The tea ceremony was absolutely lovely. She showed us everything we needed to know and could ask as many questions as wanted. Both she and her husband are very kind and hospitable people and we would definitely recommend booking a tea ceremony with Ikuyo! Again thanks so much for everything.

Aug 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your really nice review. We are so happy & enjoy with you two. Thank you for choosing my class.

Vladimir, Russia

It was a wonderful tea class experience! Too authentical, hosts are really involved in what they’re doing and they’ll really answer each question which you will ask them in the field of Japanese tea ceremony. Besides, the hosts are willing to hold a cozy conversation in cozy atmosphere which is also great for the relaxation. To sum it up, if you want to meet Japnese customs as well as to relax from your everyday routine in a smooth and warm atmosphere you really need to try these classes!

Aug 2023

Anna, Ukraine

I joined Ikuyo's tea ceremony in the morning and it was the best decision. It was very intresting to get to know the tradition and the hosts were very welcoming and nice. Definitely reccomend for everybody to experience it!

Jul 2023

Mia, Switzerland

I really enjoyed the tea ceremony! Ikuyo is a wonderful host. In a short time she introduced me to the Japanese culture and tradition through teaching and showing a tea ceremony. She explained the meaning of the objects she used or had in a room, meaning of steps, demonstrated the sequence, and let me try to make a tea myself. Tea was incredible! Thank you Ikuyo ☺️

Jun 2023

Mia, Switzerland

I really enjoyed the tea ceremony! Ikuyo is a wonderful host. In a short time she introduced me to the Japanese culture and tradition through teaching and showing a tea ceremony. She explained the meaning of the objects she used or had in a room, meaning of steps, demonstrated the sequence, and let me try to make a tea myself. Tea was incredible! Thank you Ikuyo ☺️

Jun 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your really nice review. I had great time with you. I was so happy that you chose my class. I hope to see you again.

Charvie Patel, India

It was an amazing experience learning tea ceremony from Ikuyo san. Her welcoming attitude and humbled behavior made us feel like home. The tea etiquette and the whole process was very interesting and completely worth it.

Jun 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for coming yesterday and really good review. My students and I spent good time with you two. I’m so happy that young foreign people is interested in Japanese culture. Thank you again. Have a good & safe trip in Japan.

Max, United States of America

Ikuyo led a wonderful, private tea ceremony that anyone visiting Tokyo should experience. Clear communication, flexible, professional, and delicious! We didn’t know what to expect when visiting someone’s home to learn from a tea ceremony pro, but the experience was fun, approachable, and educational. Thanks for having us over for tea, Ikuyo !

Jun 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice review. I’m so happy about that. My husband and I had fun to talk about Boston with you and your wife. Thank you again.

Kelly Anne, France

Amazing experience! Ikuyo and her husband were very welcoming! The ceremony was well explained and they took some time to chat and reply to all our question afterward. My sister and I really loved it! The sweet were delicious too!!

May 2023

Christopher Amaya, United States of America

I had a great time with Ikuyo! She was so nice and knowledgeable. The treats were good, and I had a great time learning the value in all the gestures and traditions! We spoke for awhile and got to know each other for a little bit. It was super friendly. I can't recommend this experience, enough!

May 2023

Loretta, United States of America

We loved every bit of the experience with Ikuyo! She is a great cook, host and is very personable. You would not be disappointed!

May 2023

Eve , United Kingdom

I took my family who were visiting me during the winter holiday. My mother, father and brother had never experienced a tea ceremony and they were not disappointed. This was such an authentic experience and the hosts were so friendly and explained everything very clearly, even providing us with an English translation of the basic information. They also provided excellent instructions on how to get to the property and picked us up in their car for the last part of the journey. They also accommodated for one participants inability to sit on the floor and provided a chair. The tea was amazing and the Japanese sweets were delicious. It really was a wonderful experience and one I would recommend to anyone wanted to try a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. Thank you for your wonderful experience.

Dec 2022

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your really wonderful review. I was so happy that you & your family were first my guests.

Erika, France

This intimate ceremony was incredible. we were only 4 people. they picked us up at the station. Ikuyo is a true passionate and very diligent professional. This ceremony was magnificent, full of delicacy and poetry. The cookies were excellent and the tea delicious. We had a magical moment out of time. You made us dream. Thank you again for your hospitality and kindness.

Apr 2023

Jill, Australia

What a special experience. We felt privileged to be able to have a private tea ceremony experience on a home setting. Ikuyo was an incredible host and made us feel very welcome and comfortable to ask questions. She not only shared an insight into the procedure of the tea ceremony but explained about the history and approach to teaching and learning over many years. Very easy location to get to on the train with clear instructions. A very calming way to spend a few hours after the busyness of other parts of Tokyo. A must do for any visitors.

Apr 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your really warm review. I’m so glad that. I had a great time with you,your husband and your daughter. She is so sweet. And I’m happy that young girl is interested in Japanese culture and Japan. Thank you.

Cecilia, Sweden

Thank you for a very nice tea ceremony. We especially appreciated the homely atmosphere and the relaxed possibilities to ask questions and talk about both the tea ceremony in specific and Japanese culture in general. The Japanese tea and sweets were delicious.

Apr 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for your nice review. I also appreciated to join my class. I’m interested in your country. I’m happy that your son joined in my class to know Japanese culture. Thank you.

Lucas, United States of America

we were given such a unique experience, thank you so much for the hospitality

Apr 2023

Lucas, United States of America

thank you so much for this unique experience. your home and city is beautiful. your hospitality is unmatched.

Apr 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for the review. We are so happy about that. And we had fun to talk about your city too. I hope you can get some tea ceremony equipment. Have fun with sushi and have a good and safe trip. Thank you again.

Archana Kashyap, India

This was our first time in Japan and we were looking for an authentic Japanese experience with the locals. The tea ceremony with Ikuyo and her husband was perfect. It was a calm and beautiful experience. They even answered all our questions (..and we had many) so patiently. Would highly recommend this experience.

Apr 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Thank you for joining my tea ceremony Archana and your friend. We also had a nice time with you. We enjoyed to hear about your country. Thank you again.

Marie, Germany

The Tea Ceremony with Ikuyo Kono and her husband was really special to us. It felt like an authentic experience, while it was also fun and interesting. They shared their knowledge and also private information about everything we asked. Thank you so much!

Apr 2023

Response from Ikuyo
Marie.Thank you for your quick review. Thank you for choosing my class. We also enjoyed a lot with you two. If you have chance to come,next time, please check my Japanese sweets class. Thank you again.

Thomas, United Kingdom

This was a fantastic Tea Ceremony with lovely hosts. Thank you so much Ikuyo for your hospitality! Highly recommend this for any person wanting an authentic personal experience.

Mar 2023

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