We conducted cross-curricular lessons in home economics and art with Japanese culture as a common theme. The lessons were carried out with students with intellectual disabilities in the high school section of a special needs school. The home economics class was designed from the perspective of traditional Japanese food culture, and the art class was designed from the perspective of works of art. This paper reports on the conception and content of the classes, the background of the students, and

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... the evaluation of the classes, with a focus on the home economics class. The aim of the home economics class was to increase student interest in traditional Japanese food culture. Wagashi was used as a teaching material. Wagashi represents the traditional food cultures of Japan. It is characterized by pleasing shapes and a diversity of colors, and expresses a sense of the seasons. Pre-lesson surveys showed that students were very interested in the colors and shapes of wagashi. The students learned about the colors, shapes, seasonal sensations, and design of traditional Japanese sweets using their five senses including tasting actual wagashi and matcha tea.. They understood the importance of wagashi as an example of food culture in many ways, which further increased their interest in wagashi and reinforced their learning.