Cooking with Island Grandmothers: Handmade Sweet Potato Noodles in Himeshima
Imokiri : An Authentic Island Kitchen Experience in Himeshima
Looking for a truly local food experience in Japan?
Welcome to Himeshima, a small and peaceful island where everyday traditions are still alive. Here, you’ll discover Imokiri — handmade noodles made entirely from sweet potatoes, a humble dish born from island life.
In the past, rice was difficult to grow on Himeshima, so sweet potatoes became an essential part of daily meals. Over generations, island families turned this simple ingredient into something special — hand-cut noodles served in a comforting homemade broth.
During this hands-on experience, you’ll cook side by side with local island grandmothers in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Together, you’ll knead the sweet potato dough, carefully slice it into thin strips, boil the noodles, and enjoy them freshly prepared.
It’s simple, nourishing food — but it carries the story of resilience, creativity, and community.
This is more than a cooking class.
It’s a chance to slow down, connect with local people, and experience everyday island life in a way most visitors never do.
Come hungry — and leave with full hearts.
Himeshima Senior Community Association
The Himeshima Senior Community Association is a group of local island elders dedicated to preserving traditional food culture and community life.
They manage a sweet potato farm on the island — planting, cultivating, and harvesting the crops by hand. After harvest, they carefully process the sweet potatoes into kankoro-ko (dried sweet potato flour), an essential ingredient in Himeshima’s traditional cuisine.
Passing down local food traditions is one of their most important activities. Through dishes such as Imokiri (handmade sweet potato noodles) and Kankoro Mochi (sweet potato rice cakes), they share generations of knowledge, stories, and island wisdom with visitors.
By joining this experience, you are directly supporting their efforts to keep Himeshima’s culinary heritage alive for future generations.
- Tour Availabe Days
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Please tell us preferred day.
[Schedule of Ferry boat for Himeshima island]
Imi port HIMESHIMA
09:50 ------------ 10:10
11:00 ------------ 11:20
12:10 ------------ 12:30
13:35 ------------ 13:55 - Meeting Place
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Hakuju-En
大分県 東国東郡 姫島村 松原 2112-1
(2112-1, Mastubara, Himeshima-mura, Oita-ken, Japan) - Tour Fee
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3,300 yen per person
(Includes: lesson fee, foods, Tax) - Number of participants
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2~15
- Reservation
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Toyonokuni Millennium Heritage Tourism Zone
- Tour features
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(2 hours)
explain → Making "Imokiri" → Eating