Sushi Making Class in Kyoto: Learn Nigiri & Rolls

Roll and shape sushi the way a chef does, then taste it while it's still warm.

A 90-minute sushi making class in Kyoto where you learn to prepare nigiri and rolls from scratch, working with an English-speaking instructor in the Kawaramachi district. You'll make 10 pieces, eat your own creations, and have the option to pair them with matcha or sake. Same-day bookings are welcome, and the class suits beginners, families and couples with no prior experience needed.

The Experience

How do you actually make sushi rice the way it's supposed to taste? The class opens with that question—a brief introduction to Japanese cuisine and sushi history, then straight into the technique. You'll learn to season and handle the rice so it holds together without falling apart, a step most home cooks skip or botch. The studio is in Kawaramachi, Kyoto's main tourist district, so getting there is straightforward.

The hands-on part takes up most of the 90 minutes. You work at your own station with the instructor moving between students, showing you how to shape nigiri by hand and roll pieces with nori. The pace stays relaxed—this is built for people who've never done it before—and the instructors speak English throughout. You'll make 10 pieces total, which is enough to understand the motion without the session dragging into repetition.

Once everything is rolled and shaped, you eat. That's the part that matters most: the rice you seasoned, the fish you handled, tasting whether your technique worked. The class includes the option to pair your meal with matcha or Japanese sake, depending on which option you book. If you have allergies or follow a vegetarian diet, let them know when you book and they'll adjust the ingredients.

What’s included

• Sushi ingredients and all equipment for the class.
• instruction from an English-speaking staff member.
• 10 pieces of nigiri and rolls that you make and eat.
• the option to add matcha or sake to your meal (depending on which option you choose at checkout).

Good to know

Infants must sit on laps

Operated by SUSHI MASTER JAPAN

Is this one for you?Book the standard Sushi Making Course if you want to keep the focus on technique and the meal itself; choose the Sushi & Matcha Experience if you'd like the pairing and a more complete tasting experience. Infants can attend if they sit on an adult's lap, making it possible to bring very young children along.

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Top questions

Can I book a sushi making class in Kyoto the same day I want to take it?

Yes, same-day bookings are welcome. You can reserve a spot and show up the same afternoon or morning depending on availability.

What exactly do I make during the 90 minutes?

You make 10 pieces of sushi—a mix of nigiri and rolls. The class starts with instruction on sushi rice and technique, then you shape and roll the pieces yourself under the instructor's guidance, and finish by eating what you've made.

Is the instructor in English, or will I need to translate?

The instructor speaks English throughout the class, so you'll understand every step and can ask questions as you work.

What's the difference between the Sushi Making Course and the Sushi & Matcha Experience?

Both include the same sushi making and meal. The Sushi & Matcha Experience adds matcha tea to pair with your finished sushi; the standard Sushi Making Course lets you order drinks separately if you'd like them.

Do I need any cooking experience to take this class?

No. The class is designed for beginners, families, couples and food lovers with no prior sushi-making experience. The instructor teaches every technique from the start.

Is the Kawaramachi location easy to reach?

Yes. The studio is in Kyoto Kawaramachi, the main tourist district. You can search "Sushi Master Kyoto Kawaramachi" on Google Maps to find it and plan your route.