Step into a local home in Japan’s beautiful Hida region for a hands-on cooking class and Japanese calligraphy workshop with Rena. Discover the food and traditions of rural Japan as you prepare three regional dishes using fresh, locally grown ingredients, including nutty aburae (egoma) perilla seeds and prized Hida rice. Grind perilla seeds, chop vegetables and shape Japanese rice balls while Rena shares the traditions behind Hida home cooking. Then sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped prepare. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Guests can pair their meal with 1–2 glasses of local sake, beer or wine. Your experience also includes a hands-on Japanese calligraphy workshop. Learn the basics of this traditional art and practice writing Japanese characters with brush and ink. Combining food, art and time with locals, this intimate cultural experience is especially fun for families and children and offers a memorable glimpse into everyday life in rural Japan.