Sushi Making & Sake Tasting in Shibuya: Michelin-Listed Class

You make half the sushi and eat it all.

A hands-on sushi-making class at Tachiguisushi Sushikawa, a Michelin-listed standing sushi restaurant in Shibuya, where you dress in a chef's uniform, learn traditional nigiri techniques from expert chefs, and taste your own creations paired with Japanese sake. The class runs 90 minutes in a small group; you choose between a Basic plan (14 pieces total, 3 sake types) or a Luxury plan (20 pieces with premium ingredients, 5 sake types). All tools, the chef's outfit and sake tasting are included, plus commemorative chopsticks to take home.

The Experience

Tachiguisushi Sushikawa sits in a quiet neighborhood easily accessible from both Shinjuku and Shibuya, tucked away enough to feel like a local find but close enough that you don't spend your afternoon getting there. You arrive, change into an authentic sushi chef's uniform, and step up to an Edo-style standing counter where the focus is on the craft and the connection with the person teaching you. The expert chefs show you how to press and shape sushi rice, then top it with fresh seafood using the same techniques they use every day. You make seven pieces in the Basic plan or ten in the Luxury plan, working at your own pace while the chefs handle the rest of the meal.

The sake tasting comes woven through the meal: three types in the Basic plan, five in the Luxury plan, each one chosen to complement the sushi you're eating. You taste the difference between what you made and what the chefs made—the precision, the pressure, the angle of the knife—all at the same counter, all in the same 90 minutes. The Luxury plan upgrades the ingredients you work with and the sake selection, so if you want to spend more time with premium fish and a deeper tasting, that's the choice to make at checkout. Either way, you leave with a pair of commemorative chopsticks and the muscle memory of how to do this.

What’s included

• Sushi chef's uniform and all tools for making sushi.
• 90-minute hands-on instruction from expert chefs in English.
• the sushi you make plus the sushi the chef prepares.
• Japanese sake tasting (3 types in Basic, 5 in Luxury) or tea.
• commemorative chopsticks as a souvenir.

Good to know

Public transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Japan Destinations

Is this one for you?Book the Basic plan if you want a solid introduction to nigiri technique and a taste of how sake pairs with sushi; the Luxury plan is worth it if you want to spend more time with premium ingredients and explore a wider range of sake. Either way, the small-group format means you get real instruction instead of watching from a distance.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the Basic and Luxury plans?

The Basic plan includes 14 pieces of sushi total (7 you make, 7 by the chef) and a tasting of 3 sake types. The Luxury plan gives you 20 pieces (10 you make, 10 by the chef) using upgraded premium ingredients, plus a tasting of 5 sake types. Both include the uniform, all tools, tea or sake, and the souvenir chopsticks.

Do I need sushi-making experience to join?

No. The expert chefs teach you the traditional techniques from the start, so beginners are welcome. The class is designed for small groups, which means you get personalized instruction throughout the 90 minutes.

Can I choose tea instead of sake?

Yes. Japanese tea is available as an alternative to the sake tasting on either plan, so you can opt for that at checkout if you prefer.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions or I'm vegetarian?

Let the restaurant know in advance about any food restrictions or vegetarian preferences. They'll consult with you to make sure suitable options are available for your class.

How do I get to Tachiguisushi Sushikawa from central Tokyo?

The restaurant is easily accessible from both Shinjuku and Shibuya by public transportation. The exact station and directions will be provided when you book.

What's included in the class?

The sushi chef's uniform, all tools for making sushi, the sushi you make and the sushi the chef makes, Japanese tea or sake tasting, and a pair of commemorative chopsticks to take home are all included. English-speaking guides lead the class.