✨ A Kitchen Full of Memories

When we travel — to new places, to meet new people — there’s a mix of joy and curiosity, and sometimes even a little uncertainty. Yet curiosity always wins, and in that moment, the door to a new world quietly opens. That feeling of anticipation is one of my favorite moments.

I’ve realized that the same magic lives in the kitchen at home.

On an ordinary small cutting board in a humble kitchen, there are days full of excitement as flavors come together, and days when we feel tired or unsure. But even then, remembering the faces of those who smile and say “delicious” fills the heart with joy. In the kitchen, moments of happiness and the feeling of living a good life quietly unfold.

The kitchen holds my most precious memories — with my mother and aunt as they age gracefully, with my grandmother and mentors who are no longer here, and with the many friends who have shared meals and time. The past and present, all woven together from this kitchen, are treasures. Time here feels both new and nostalgic — sometimes joyful, sometimes gently bittersweet — but always real, always alive in memory.

In our brief and finite lives, like stardust scattered across the universe, how many people can we meet and share time with? If we can share even a small part of that time in the kitchen — creating nourishing meals, slowing down, and letting fulfillment ripple outward like gentle waves — I believe it can lead to peace and comfort in the world.

I cherish the beauty of the analog kitchen — the old bowls and wooden bento boxes, the sound of the knife on the cutting board, the aromas filling the air. These small, simple things make life feel rich and meaningful.

My wish is to share the gift of this kitchen time — to weave your own story into new memories, and to create joyful moments around the table together.

My cooking life journey continues — always filling with new experiences and memories wherever I live.

During my time in the U.S., I led Japanese cooking programs at community centers for several years. Each session brought together around 25 participants — families, couples, students — who enjoyed learning simple, soulful recipes they could take home and make their own.

Now in Japan, back to my comfortable old nest, I hope to create similar joyful moments and to share.

🌿 Experience Hata Home Kitchen

– Where nature, flavor, and reflection meet.

We welcome you into our home to experience nature at the table — through simple wooden bento boxes, timeworn dishes full of character, and the gentle aroma of the mountains — and to discover the warmth and joy that begin in a home kitchen.

Whether you’re planning a school trip, a wellness retreat, or a cultural exchange, I’d be delighted to welcome your group for an experience filled with warmth, learning, and shared memories.

With a background in teaching university students, guiding hospital-based training, and leading team-building through cooking, we hope the time we spend together will become a lasting memory and a meaningful moment in your journey.

At Hata Home Kitchen, we cook simple, delicious Japanese home meals using seasonal, humble ingredients.

Hata Home Kitchen is more than a cooking class — it is a space where food, memory, and healing meet.

—

Yasuyo Hata Winslow

Founder, Hata Home Kitchen

B.S. in Conservation Biology

Registered Nurse (Japan & U.S.)

M.S. in Nursing

Currently teaching International Nursing and Medical English

If you are a travel planner or group coordinator, we are also happy to welcome school groups, wellness travelers, or cultural exchange guests. We sometimes collaborate with countryside community kitchens using fresh local produce — for more details, please feel free to contact us.