“Bento” is a lunchbox tradition born from everyday life in Japan. In this hands-on class, you’ll cook, pack, and taste a Japanese-style bento that you can also recreate at home—perfect as a travel memory and a practical skill to take back with you.
日本の暮らしの中から生まれた「お弁当」。旅の思い出に、ご家庭でも作れる“日本のお弁当”を、自分で作って・詰めて・味わう体験レッスンです。


In Japan, there is a tradition of bringing homemade bento for lunch at kindergarten and at schools without cafeteria meals, as well as for events such as field trips and sports days. There is also a long history of taking bento on outings—symbolized by hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) bento. With this food culture as our backdrop, let’s cook, pack, and eat together to fully enjoy the charm of bento.
日本には、幼稚園や給食のない学校での昼食、遠足・運動会などのイベントには手作りのお弁当を持っていく文化があります。また、花見弁当に代表されるように、行楽にお弁当を持って出かける歴史も。そんな日本の食文化を背景に、作って、詰めて、食べて、お弁当の魅力をまるごと楽しみましょう。



What You’ll Learn|この講座で学べること
- Bento basics: how to balance flavors (main dish / side dishes / rice), add color, and pack neatly
- お弁当の基本:味の組み立て(主菜・副菜・主食)、彩り、詰め方のコツ
- Japanese seasonings: how to use soy sauce, mirin, miso, and more
- 日本の調味料:醤油・みりん・味噌などの使い分け
- Seasonality: the beauty of Japanese cuisine through seasonal ingredients
- 季節感:食で季節を感じる和食の美しさ
- Easy to recreate: adaptation tips you can use in your own country
- 再現性:ご自身の国でも作れるアレンジの方法
- Bento box: experience Japanese craftsmanship with a magewappa (traditional wooden bento box) from an Odawara workshop
- お弁当箱:小田原の木工所の曲げわっぱで、日本の工芸品にふれる
Sample Menu (May Vary by Season/Ingredients)|メニュー例
- Main: teriyaki chicken / ginger pork / grilled fish / meatballs, etc.
- 主菜:照り焼きチキン/生姜焼き/焼き魚/ミートボール など
- Sides: Japanese rolled omelet (dashimaki tamago) / dressed vegetables / kinpira / “octopus” sausages, etc.
- 副菜:だし巻き卵/和え物/きんぴら/たこさんウインナー など
- Rice: rice (onigiri or packed rice)
- 主食:ごはん(おにぎり or 詰めごはん)
*If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know when booking. We will do our best to accommodate you.
*アレルギー・食制限がある方は、予約時にお知らせください(可能な範囲で対応します)。
Class Flow (Example)|当日の流れ(例)
1)Welcome & introduction: today’s menu, bento history, and tools (15 min)
ご挨拶・本日のメニュー紹介/お弁当の歴史・道具の説明(15分)
2)Cooking: main dish → sides → omelet, etc. (90 min)
調理(主菜→副菜→卵など)(90分)
3)Packing lesson: tips for arranging a beautiful bento (15 min)
お弁当の詰め方レクチャー(15分)
4)Plating & photo time (30 min) お弁当の詰め方レクチャー(15分)
5)Tasting & Q&A (30 min) 試食・質問タイム(30分)

Instructor:Junko Matsushita
Junko teaches a wide range of cooking—from the basics of washoku to French cuisine and authentic French pastries. With overseas experience and professional training, she is known for classes that are clear, approachable, and easy to recreate at home.
