Sushi Making Class in Kyoto: Learn from a Professional Chef

Make sushi with a professional chef and taste it straight away

A hands-on sushi making class in Kyoto where you learn rice preparation, nigiri shaping and traditional hand-pressing techniques from a professional chef, then eat the sushi you've made. The 90-minute session is taught in English at a working sushi restaurant, designed for beginners and travelers with no prior experience.

The Experience

You arrive at a sushi restaurant in Kyoto before it opens to the public. A professional chef walks you through the fundamentals—the history of sushi, how to prepare the rice, the way Japanese chefs press nigiri by hand. You're not watching a demonstration; you're doing it yourself, working with fresh ingredients at your own station. The chef guides you step by step in a way that works whether you've made sushi before or never touched a knife in a kitchen.

Once you've learned the basics, you make your own pieces. The chef answers questions as you work, and you get to ask about technique, ingredients, the reasoning behind each step. There's no rush. By the end of the 90 minutes, you have sushi you shaped yourself, and you sit down and eat it—the best part of any cooking class is tasting what you made.

The class includes additional freshly prepared sushi to go with what you've created, so you leave full and with a real understanding of how sushi is built. The restaurant is accessible by public transportation, and the space works for all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Sushi making instruction from a professional chef.
• all fresh ingredients and tools.
• the sushi you make.
• additional freshly prepared sushi to eat.
• English-speaking instruction throughout the 90-minute session.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kizaemon Sushi Making Experience

Is this one for you?You do the work yourself, not watch it done—if you want to actually learn sushi-making and leave with the skill, not just a meal, this hands-on format is the difference. It works for solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends, and beginners are expected; no prior kitchen experience needed.

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Top questions

What exactly do I learn to make in the sushi class?

You learn to prepare sushi rice, shape nigiri by hand using the traditional Japanese technique, and create your own sushi pieces with fresh ingredients. The chef also covers the history and cultural background of sushi so you understand what you're making, not just how.

Is this class suitable if I've never cooked sushi before?

Yes—the class is designed for beginners. The chef guides you step by step in a way that's easy to follow, and there's no pressure or speed requirement. You work at your own pace with the chef available to answer questions.

How long is the sushi making class?

The class runs for 90 minutes total. That includes the introduction to ingredients and technique, your hands-on time making sushi, and eating what you've created at the end.

Do I get to eat the sushi I make?

Yes. After you finish making your pieces, you sit down and eat the sushi you shaped, along with additional freshly prepared sushi the chef provides. You taste your own work before you leave.

What language is the instruction in?

The class is taught in English by a professional chef, so you'll understand every step and can ask questions throughout the session.

Where in Kyoto does the class take place?

The class is held at a working sushi restaurant in Kyoto before it opens to regular customers. The location is accessible by public transportation, and the restaurant space is wheelchair accessible.