Looking for a more authentic way to experience Akita?

Step into a local kitchen and learn how to prepare one of Akita’s most beloved home-style dishes alongside local mothers who have been making these recipes for generations.

In this hands-on cooking experience, you’ll prepare Damako Nabe, a traditional Akita hot pot made with hand-shaped rice dumplings, fresh vegetables, chicken, and a flavorful local broth. Guided by friendly local home cooks, you’ll learn every step—from preparing the ingredients and cutting vegetables to shaping freshly cooked rice into soft, chewy dumplings before adding them to the simmering pot.

Even if you’ve never cooked Japanese food before, the relaxed atmosphere and personal guidance make this experience enjoyable for beginners.

A Rewarding Cooking Experience

There’s a special sense of accomplishment when your homemade Damako Nabe is finally ready to enjoy.

As you cook together, you’ll discover the techniques behind this comforting local specialty while learning about everyday life and food culture in rural Akita.

Make a Traditional Noshiro Sweet: Mugi-maki

In addition to the hot pot, you’ll also make Mugi-maki, a nostalgic local sweet from the Noshiro area.

Made by cooking a thin wheat-flour batter into a soft pancake-like sheet and rolling it up, Mugi-maki has a light sweetness and fluffy texture reminiscent of Japanese-style pancakes. It has long been a favorite homemade treat enjoyed by generations of local families.

Share a Meal with Local Residents

Once everything is ready, it’s time to gather around the table together.

Enjoy the Damako Nabe and Mugi-maki you’ve prepared, along with a selection of homemade Akita pickles provided by your hosts. Over the meal, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to chat, exchange stories, and learn about daily life, traditions, and local culture directly from the people who call this region home.

This is much more than a cooking class—it’s a chance to experience the warmth and hospitality of rural Akita through food.

If you’re looking to connect with local people rather than simply visit famous sights, cooking, dining, and sharing stories together may become one of the most memorable moments of your journey.