Ofukuro no Aji

Ofukuro no aji — "the taste of mother" — is the Japanese phrase to describe the everyday home cooking one grew up on, the simple flavors of childhood. This experience is a half-day inside that. Kanazawa — famous for its traditional handicrafts and refined culture — is often overlooked for its cuisine. Residents are spoiled by the abundance of ingredients: the riches of the Sea of Japan, wild roots and plants from the mountains, and Kaga Yasai, the local vegetables grown in the fertile soil of Hokuriku. To experience "everyday Kanazawa" by cooking with Kanazawa mothers, you'll begin at Omicho Market, strolling the dozens of stalls in search of ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. Then it's off to a nearby kitchen studio where your host Yuka and the other mothers teach you to prepare and share the dishes of their childhoods — the everyday cooking they learned from the generations before them. Great food brings out great conversation as you spend time with new friends.

Far from the built-to-impress Kaga Ryori — haute court cuisine of the Maeda clan in Kanazawa — this is the food of home. You cook alongside a group of Kanazawa mothers — like being welcomed into someone's kitchen — making local dishes they cook for their own families: omu-rice, flavored nimono (simmered dishes), quick itamemono (stir-fries). Throughout the preparation and meal, Yuka and her friends share personal stories — a side of life in Japan outsiders are rarely able to access. They send you off with recipes and ingredients to recreate the dishes at home. For those with children, this is an experience to be enjoyed as a family. Dishes are simple to help prepare and the ingredients are beloved by kids. It is an opportunity to learn the differences and similarities in raising children. Part of Yuka's hope for this experience is to create flexible, meaningful work for other young mothers of Kanazawa who are available on the day — so it supports the women who share it with you.

Yuka grew up in Kanazawa before spending a few years in Canada working and learning interpretation and translation. Returning to Japan in 2015, she founded one of the city's earliest craft breweries, which she led for a decade before stepping down in 2024 to focus on raising her son. Yuka is a licensed Kanazawa guide, passionate about promoting the beauty and wonders of her city and region — especially creating opportunities for overseas guests to engage authentically with local residents. In this experience, she hopes to create flexible opportunities for young mothers to work part time and engage with visitors while sharing their skills and their passion for Kanazawa cuisine.

Comfortable shoes for the market and the kitchen, and an appetite for the meal you'll prepare. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, let Yuka know in advance through Fernwayer Chat. If children are joining, mention that too — so Yuka can plan the menu and portions to include them.