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 session takes place at a working sushi restaurant and is 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 class, 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.

You also taste additional freshly prepared sushi alongside 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, plus extra freshly prepared pieces.
• English-speaking instruction throughout the session.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 21

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair 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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4).

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.

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, plus extra freshly made pieces. You taste your own work before you leave.