Mexican Culinary Consultant, Recipe Developer & Cookbook Author Based in Japan
Nippon Viajero is a culinary cultural project by Vanessa a Mexican-American chef and author living in Hayama, Japan. She explores how Mexican food can be adapted to local ingredients, seasons, and small cooking spaces. Founded in 2017 Nippon Viajero has nurtured a platform where diverse communities can come together to create, experience, and learn. In late 2025 her debut was cookbook released. Featuring a collection of 50 plus mexican recipes adapted for Japan. Shipping available in Japan & the US.
She supports brands, publishers, and home cooks discover cuisine through recipe development, cultural consulting, and culinary storytelling adapted for international audiences.
Nippon Viajero Chef Residency at Dark Arts Coffee
Hola,
I am taking over the kitchen at Dark Arts Coffee in Hayama for a regular chef residency celebrating Mexican cuisine through the seasons of Japan.
Expect tacos, tamales and rotating seasonal specials, each menu brings together authentic flavors of Mexico.
Find us at Dark Arts Coffee, Hayama.
- October 2026: Thursday, October 22 & 29
- November 2026: Every Wednesday
- Kitchen hours: 9:30–16:00
Come hungry, bring a friend, and enjoy a taste of Mexico in Hayama.
¡Día de Muertos Is Back in Tokyo!
Nippon Viajero × Feather Heart Books
After a three-year hiatus, our 5th Annual Día de Muertos Celebration is back! Celebrate Mexican culture through food, art, and tradition. 3年ぶりに、第5回 Día de Muertos（死者の日）が帰ってきます！食やアートを通して、メキシコの伝統文化を楽しみましょう。
- Date / 日程: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time / 時間: 10:00–17:00
- Venue / 会場: Featherheart Books (8 min from Hatagaya Station / 幡ヶ谷駅から徒歩8分)
- Entry / 入場: Free / 無料
11:00–12:00 | Sugar Skull Workshop / シュガースカル作り
¥5,000 per person, including decorating materials, pan de muerto, and Mexican hot chocolate.
Cookbook Signing & Pop-up / 料理本サイン会＆ポップアップ
Meet author Vanessa Quintana and shop cookbooks, Mexican hot chocolate, Pan de muerto, and more.
NEW in La Tiendita!
July 4th through August 30th
The Cookbook
This cookbook was created for people living in Japan who love Mexican food but struggle with ingredient availability, seasonality, and authenticity. It offers practical recipes, cultural context, and flexible techniques designed for japanese kitchens.
Why this cookbook?
- Cook Mexican food with ingredients available in Japan
- Understand culture, not just recipes
- Designed for home cooks and mexican food enthusiasts
- Vegan and Vegetarian friendly!
- Japanese version coming soon
Why Nippon Viajero?
Nippon Viajero exists to build cultural understanding through food. By sharing Mexican cuisine in a Japanese context, this project creates space for learning, adaptation, and connection — whether through a recipe, a workshop, or a shared meal. Over our years cooking in Japan we have hosted hundreds of cooking workshops, corporate team building experiences, cultural events, private chefs services, and pop ups. Though the cooking workshops have been paused, you can still book private experiences through the services page.
Public response to the cookbook
I have been looking for a way to reconnect to my roots and was excited when I found Nippon Viajero. The book is a guide on how to cook Mexican food in Japan. It is now part of my collection.
Japan resident
Cookbook Release Party
We just released our cookbook and hosted a celebration in Hayama! Thank you all for supporting this culinary journey
