Everybody knows some of the best food comes from home kitchens. The spirit of generosity, the heritage recipes that have been passed down through generations, and the comforting, unpretentious space that is the home kitchen all conspire to make food not just tastier but also more memorable. However, for a traveller in Japan, it’s nearly impossible to be invited into a local home for a meal – until now. Enter airKitchen, a service that connects passionate homecooks with travelling foodies in Japan.
Currently, the service is available in several prefectures in Japan, including the tourist-capitals of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Yokohama. Booking is easy: all you need to do is find a host nearest to you, send a request through the website, and once confirmed, show up at their home. You’ll learn to cook their special dish and afterwards, enjoy the meal together with your host. It’s a casual and friendly way to experience local culture and hospitality.
You’ll be glad to know that some of the major Japanese food types are represented at airKitchen. You’ll find tempura, sushi and even vegetarian cooking. Moreover, some of the hosts even offer pick-up service, should you find it intimidating to venture beyond the comforts of your hotel’s surrounding area. Also, do note that while all hosts are prepared to speak English (and even other languages such as Chinese and Spanish for some), it is not a language they speak fluently and regularly, so your patience is much appreciated.
To find out more about airKitchen, check the website.