Discover the translucence and pristine taste of kuzu starch, a Yoshino speciality
3 hour private experience
Location: Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Join a kuzu confectionary master in a private workshop held in his Yoshino restaurant. Learn all about the production methods and unique characteristics of kuzu. Then, after watching the master, make your own kuzu sweets and enjoy the taste of true Yoshino "hon" kuzu.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (14:00 - 17:00)
Not available Wednesdays as well as the second and fourth Thursday each month. Also not available in April and November.
Access
1.5 hours by car from Nara Station
15 minutes walk from Yoshinoyama Station
Starting with Starch
A powdery white starch that transforms into a near-translucent gel right before your eyes like a sleight of magic, the powder produced from the kuzu plant has been beloved for centuries in Japan for both its culinary and medicinal properties.By as early as the 12th century, kuzu's culinary production flourished in areas around Nara and Kyoto, with records showing commercial cultivation first began right at the base of Mt. Yoshino. While the hardy kuzu plant grows wild all across Japan's main islands, the process of extracting the kuzu starch from the root of the plant is laborious, complex, and requires the oversight of an expert to successfully pull-off. Kuzu refinement also demands precise conditions - roots must be dug out in mid-winter and saturated in frigid water to purify the material, then repeatedly filtered in order to carefully remove any impurities, before drying and condensing into the final starchy product. These complexities are precisely what made Yoshino an ideal location for kuzu, due to the region's pristine mountain water, ample forestland, and cold winter conditions. High up in the scenic mountains of Nara in Yoshino, join a kuzu confectionery master, learning more about this singular ingredient. Sample what 100% authentic kuzu tastes like, then create and cut your own kuzu confectionary treat with careful assistance from the master, for a unique Kansai culinary adventure.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
