Like Tokyo, Kyoto is one of the most exciting food cities in Japan. It’s the birthplace of kaiseki and home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the world. According to the 2024 edition of the Kyoto Michelin Guide, Japan’s ancient capital boasts 127 Michelin Stars spread out over 100 restaurants.
Finding a great restaurant in Kyoto won’t be difficult, but how about doing something even more memorable? How about going beyond the usual restaurant experience and doing something unique to Japan, like enjoying festive cuisine with a private Noh performance, or experiencing okashi kaiseki in a historic Japanese house?
If experiences like that intrigue you, then you need to know about Wabunka.
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WHAT IS WABUNKA?
Wabunka is an online booking platform designed for travelers seeking private, higher-end experiences in Japan. While their primary offerings are based in Tokyo and Kyoto, they also feature unique activities in Osaka and other cities across the country.
What makes Wabunka stand out is its focus on exclusivity and authenticity. Unlike traditional booking platforms that offer group tours, Wabunka specializes in exclusive private experiences. These activities go beyond standard sightseeing – they offer visitors a chance to connect with Japanese culture on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Explore Wabunka’s curated selection of experiences and you’ll find unique opportunities like enjoying a tea ceremony with a private Noh performance, forging your own kitchen knife with master bladesmiths, or creating your own “Japan Blue” stole under the guidance of a professional indigo dyer.
If you’re seeking a more immersive and culturally enriching experience in Japan, then Wabunka is a great place to begin.
Established in 2019, Wabunka is operated by Japan Culture and Technology (J-CAT). J-CAT also manages Otonami, a booking platform tailored to Japanese domestic travelers, and Wabunka Enterprise, an organizer of bespoke cultural experiences for groups and corporate events.
PRIVATE LUXURY EXPERIENCES IN KYOTO
This is a food-focused travel blog so we handpicked and featured some of Wabunka’s most interesting culinary experiences in this article. Wabunka offers much more than gustatory experiences so be sure to visit their website for a complete list of their exclusive offerings in Kyoto.
Learn About Dashi and Make Your Own Onigiri and Miso Soup
Dashi refers to the indispensable family of stocks used in Japan cuisine. It’s a foundational broth that adds depth and umami to Japanese cooking. Without it, many traditional dishes would lose their characteristic richness and complexity.
In this experience, you’ll be taught the dashi-making process at Uneno – a dashi store open since 1903 – before learning how to use it to make onigiri and miso soup.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Explore the Essence of Tempura and Dashi With a Master Chef
Enjoying tempura at a top restaurant in Japan is one thing, but learning how its made from a master chef as he prepares a multi-course meal for you is another.
In this experience, you’ll taste different types of dashi before watching Kodaiji Tantora‘s head chef personally fry your tempura as part of a multi-course dinner.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Learn About Koji and Enjoy Fermented Snacks With Sake Pairing
Koji refers to cooked grains – rice, barley, soybeans, etc – that have been inoculated with a fermentation culture. It’s a critical ingredient in sake brewing and in many traditional fermented foods in Japan.
In this experience, you’ll learn about koji and fermentation at Umekoji Fermentation Factory before tasting koji-infused snacks paired with up to four types of sake.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Learn About Traditional Japanese Dish Arrangement While Enjoying an Obanzai Meal
Japanese culture is exacting and meticulous. It fosters mindfulness and strives to achieve perfection even in seemingly mundane everyday practices like table presentation.
In this experience, you’ll get tips on the finer aspects of plating and presentation at tableware salon Asanoya. Chef and tableware coordinator Mabi Tojo will teach you her secrets to making perfect donabe rice before serving you a home-cooked Japanese meal on itsukiwan lacquerware.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Celebrate a Special Occasion With Festive Japanese Cuisine and a Private Noh Performance
If you’re visiting Kyoto to celebrate a special occasion, then this festive meal with a private Noh performance may be for you. The world’s oldest stagecraft, Noh is a classical form of Japanese theater where actors convey stories – usually on supernatural themes – through stylized forms of music, dance, and poetry.
In this experience, you’ll enjoy a private Noh performance at Kurochiku Momochitarukan banquet hall. After the show, you’ll sit down to a celebratory meal featuring seasonal ingredients and auspicious motifs typically reserved for special occasions.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Experience a Tea Ceremony With a Maiko in Kyoto’s Oldest Geisha District
Like samurai and Sumo, the geisha is one of the most iconic and captivating symbols of Japanese culture.
Many foreigners are unfamiliar with what they do but geishas (known as geikos in Kyoto) are essentially highly-skilled artisans who entertain guests with their mastery of music, dance, and conversation. They provide a sophisticated form of entertainment that few foreigners get to witness.
In this experience, you’ll watch a maiko’s performance at Umeno, a traditional ochaya (private banquet house) in the oldest geisha district of Kyoto. Enjoy matcha and wagashi as you chat and play banquet games with the maiko, followed by a rare behind-the-scenes look inside her dressing room.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Enjoy Exclusive Access to Ninna-ji Temple With a Private Tea Ceremony
Founded in 888, Ninna-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as Omuro Imperial Palace, it’s the head temple of the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism where for many centuries, a member of the Imperial Family served as head priest.
In this experience, a monk will take you on a private tour of Ninna-ji Temple, including areas normally closed to the general public. After your tour, you’ll be served matcha and wagashi by a tea master of over forty years at a private teahouse that once belonged to celebrated potter Ogata Kenzan.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Sip Sake and Tea From Precious Antique Utensils
Experiencing an authentic tea ceremony in Kyoto is special enough, but sipping tea from precious antique cups elevates the experience even more.
In this experience, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of Nakanishi Shohoken – an art dealer specializing in antiques and traditional Kyoto ceramics – before sipping tea and sake from antique vessels at boutique hotel Art Mon Zen Kyoto.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Enjoy Okashi Kaiseki With Tea in a Historic Japanese House
If you like fine dining, then you’ve probably enjoyed kaiseki course meals in Japan, but have you ever experienced okashi kaiseki? Okashi is the general term for confections and refers to Japanese sweets and snacks like wagashi and dagashi.
In this experience, you’ll enjoy a seven-course okashi kaiseki with Japanese tea pairings at Okashi Sodoh, a confectionery shop located in the former residence of renowned Japanese painter Takeuchi Seihō.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
Enjoy Art-Inspired Wagashi Made by Artisanal Confectioners at an Arashiyama Luxury Hotel
Wagashi-making is an art in itself, but when artisanal confectioners create them using an art museum’s exhibits for inspiration, the sweets take on a different level of artistry.
In this collaborative experience between confectioner Oimatsu, Fukuda Art Museum, and luxury hotel MUNI KYOTO, you’ll watch artisans craft two types of wagashi inspired by art and the seasons. After enjoying your wagashi with matcha, you’ll be taken to the museum to appreciate the art that inspired the sweets.
CLICK HERE for more information and to book this experience on Wabunka.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT WABUNKA
“We booked the Experience Noh with Actor Keizo Nagayama – Private Show & Practice for 2 persons in Tokyo back in May 2024. It was worth it.“
– AmbitiousReporter516 (Reddit, 2024)
“My girlfriend signed us up for a Kintsugi class when we were in Kyoto – it was a great experience! An interesting mixture of calming but very exacting and requiring precision – and it was especially interesting as there’s nothing like it in the US. We each got to take home two pieces – a little nervewracking trying to keep them intact but we succeeded.”
– ianperera (Reddit, 2023)
“Yes! We actually did the latter experience [candlelit tea ceremony experience with kaiseki meal and cocktails] and enjoyed it because we learned a lot about tea ceremonies and customs. However, the food was average and the restaurant venue where it was held gets mixed reviews at best (under 3.5* on Google). So I’d recommend only booking if you can research their partner / venue beforehand to ensure it’s totally worth it. They also have a punitive cancellation policy – 1 week (or less) in advance, if you want to cancel you don’t get any refund.”
– No-Throat-3629 (Reddit, 2025)
Disclosure
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Images courtesy of Wabunka