Located in the mountain hot spring village of Yamanaka, Japan, Mokkei (rhymes with okay) brings people together across cultures and ages to cook, eat and craft togehter. We’re reviving a 100-year-old kominka (or folk house) that used to host weddings and funerals for the neighborhood into a new kind of community space. At Mokkei home cooks can exchange recipes and pass on traditional knowledge, food professionals from around the world can share their talents through events and workshops, and visitors can experience deep local culture during intensive retreats and private tours.

Mokkei is coordinated by Hannah Kirshner, author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things (who has been deeply involved with Yamanaka’s crafts and foodways since 2016) in cooperation with a local community of artisans, foragers, hunters, and home cooks.

Starting in 2025, the open-air garden kitchen at Mokkei is open for retreats, workshops, and community events (please check the Workshops & Retreats page and our Instagram for updates). We’ll continue to renovate the rest of the house and add new programs over the coming years.