Experience Half Day Japanese Washoku Cooking Lesson & Homestay / Washokuju-Sakura / Japan

It's getting hot and summer is around the corner in Japan. As the summer comes, my garden turns to green. In the rainy season, Ajisai (hydrangea) blooms in blue. In summer, we can pick blueberries. Buzz of cicadas and frogs bring on a feeling of summer in Japan. Frogs visit my home from rice fields next to my home. At night, moon light shines stone paving at my garden. In fall, I throw Sanma(Saury) grill party. Saury in the fall is very fatty and delicious. If you have chance to visit in fall, please join us. In winter, you may have chance to see snow. To tell the truth, I haven't take care of this garden until this corona pandemic and stay home starts. Slow life reminds me of the beauty of my garden. Since I have time to stay home now, I am enjoying seeing the changes of my garden. I love watching the sun goes down as I cook at my kitchen. I proudly say that garden and nature is one of the attractive point staying in country side like here. Please feel the four season. If you ...

Do you know the center part of Japan? It's the city where I live where is Seki city in Gifu pref. Most tourists from foreign countries visit big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido. If you are looking for the place where you can see the real Japanese life style and classic traditions, Seki city is the must-see place to go! This is the shape of Seki city. It's V shaped! There are many attractive place to go in Seki. ・Ukai ・Seki Traditional Sword Smith Museum ・Gifu Cutlery Hall ・G rilled eel rice bowl ・Yuzu ・Onsen(Hot springs) ・Monet pond ・Camping cite and so on. I would like you to know the attractive point of my city more! So, I am planning to start Youtube to show you virtual tour!! Hopefully coming up soon... I will let you know when I post! <Japanese Cooking class ＆ Home stay "Washokuju Sakura"> We offer Japanese New Year cooking lessons  "Any Time New Year" program  every day! If you are interested in cooking...

The world is terrible with the Covid-19. My thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected by the Covid-19. In such a difficult situation, guests who have stayed at my home sent lots of messages worrying about me. I would like to thank all of you who have sent me warm messages. I am so thankful having nice guests all over the world who support me even if their stay was short. In Japan, our governor says that we shouldn't go out unless we really need to. We are lack of  masks and sanitizers and there are long line to get them. Since we cannot buy masks, I started to make some. It is crazy situation but I have enough food, plenty of time, and good health condition. Reverse thinking, I am Konmaring ( decluttering ) now. Please take care of yourself and hope it will end soon. Wishing my guests to visit Japan safely soon. <Japanese Cooking class ＆ Home stay "Washokuju Sakura"> We offer Japanese New Year cooking lessons  "Any Time New Year...

In Jan. I had a guest Ms.Tan from Hangzhou, China. She stayed at Washokuju-sakura and took Japanese New Year dish " Ozouni with mochi" short version lesson! "I had a great time with Yayoi! The way making dashi for Ozouni was very interesting. I will definitely try it back home" She encountered coming-of-age ceremony and had a chance to see beautiful Kimono. Also we were lucky to attend tea ceremony, and also see Mayer of Seki city. I also had a great time with Ms.Tan. Please come back anytime! <Japanese Cooking class ＆ Home stay "Washokuju Sakura"> We offer Japanese New Year cooking lessons "Any Time New Year" program every day! If you are interested in cooking and Japanese culture, please join us! ■Location: Seki city, Gifu. (Approx. 2 hours from Nagoya) ■Inquiry ＆ Reservation: please check our website .

On 30th Jan. I had guests Leo and his mother from China. They stopped at Washokuju Sakura on the way to Shirakawago from Osaka by rental car.They spend  a night and went shopping at Don Quijote where you can find almost anything.They arrived late at night but he told me that it was easy to access. I had a great time with them talking about Japanese garbage system, this year's Chinese Zodiac, and so on.  I was glad to hear they enjoyed staying here! Hope to see them again! Thank you Leo and mom! <Shirakawago info> The light up event is held from this weekend until 16th Feb. every Sunday. You need to make a reservation to join. For more information, please check here . <Japanese Cooking class ＆ Home stay "Washokuju Sakura"> We offer Japanese New Year cooking lessons "Any Time New Year" program every day! If you are interested in cooking and Japanese culture, please join us! ■Location: Seki city, Gifu. (Approx. 2 hours from Nagoya) ■Inquiry ...

Christmas is around the corner, Japanese people get ready for Christmas party and also New Year's cards called "Nengajo". Japanese send New Year's cards instead of Christmas cards. This is one of the classic culture from 1877. We send it as a new year's greeting and writing little messages how we are doing. In this card, some people draw a picture of that year's animal symbol (year of 2020 is mouse), and some people put their family pic. The deadline of this card is around Christmas every year to arrive on Jan.1. Fun part of this card is lottery.  On the bottom of the card which was issued Japan post co., there are some number and it is the lottery.  First prize is Tokyo Olympic game pair tickets in 2020! I only get stamp sheet... If you have chance to get New Year card, don't forget to check! Lately young people send e-mails instead of this New Year card, which I think very sad.  I prepare about 50 cards every year. I haven...

On Nov.9th, Washokuju Sakura celebrated ２nd Anniversary! Here's photos of my wonderful guests from all over the world! They are my precious guests! Even we do not share the same culture, I feel so happy to share precious time together and get to know each other! I truly thank  to all my guests and my fam ily, friends ,and the people involved from the bottom of my heart. Thinking back this year, it's been amazing having wonderful guests and introduced by TV!  Hope to meet more guests next year!  Washokuju-Sakura will be on CCN cable TV from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 everyday.Don't miss it! ■CCN Gifu Cable TV(ch 12) From Nov.1 to Dec. 31 (15 min program) Mon.　8pm～ Tue. 　3:15pm～ Wed.　12pm～ Thur.　12pm～ Fri.　  5pm～ Sat.　 6:45am～ Sun　 9:45am～ <Japanese Cooking class ＆ Home stay "Washokuju Sakura"> We offer Japanese New Year cooking lessons "Any Time New Year" program every day! If you are interested in cooking and Japanese culture, plea...