About this tour
A 90-minute hands-on sushi-making class led by an English-speaking Japanese chef in a 140-year-old converted rice warehouse in Kawagoe. You'll learn to prepare sushi rice and form nigiri under expert guidance, working in a restored historic space with original ceiling beams and period architectural details. Class includes all ingredients and a meal; vegetarian options available with advance notice.
Highlights
- Learn proper sushi rice technique you can replicate at home
- Form nigiri sushi under direct guidance from experienced chef
- Historic 140-year-old building, formerly a rice wholesale shop
- Original wooden ceiling beams and period architectural features
- Vegetarian menu available with advance dietary notification
- Small group, intimate setting in a local café space
- Wheelchair accessible with prior notice for stair alternatives
What to expect
You'll arrive at the historic café venue in Kawagoe and meet your English-speaking sushi chef instructor. After a brief introduction to nigiri sushi history and the building's heritage as a rice merchant's warehouse, you'll move into the hands-on portion. You'll learn the fundamentals of preparing sushi rice to the correct texture and temperature, then practice forming nigiri under the chef's direct observation and correction. The class wraps with a meal featuring the sushi you've made, allowing you to taste the results of your work.
Throughout the 90 minutes, you'll have access to all ingredients and tools. The venue's original architectural details—ceiling beams, period staircase cabinetry—provide context for the space's transformation from wholesale operation to cooking school. Beverages are not included, so bring money if you'd like to purchase drinks.
What travellers say
- Clear, practical instruction in sushi rice preparation and nigiri technique
- Atmospheric historic setting with original architecture and period details
- Small-group format allows personalised feedback from the chef
- Vegetarian and dietary-inclusive menu options with advance notice
- Inclusive accessibility design with wheelchair routes available on request
- Stairs present access challenge; alternatives require advance notification
- Beverages not included; additional cost if you want drinks
- Dietary requests must be made at booking, not on the day
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This class suits anyone interested in learning Japanese cooking fundamentals hands-on. It works for solo travellers, couples, and small groups with a reasonable comfort level in a working kitchen environment. Stairs provide the main access to the venue; advise in advance if you need alternatives. Infants can attend (pram-friendly; specialised seats available). Dietary requirements and allergies must be declared at booking—same-day requests cannot be met. Price includes all ingredients and your meal; drinks are separate. Public transport is accessible nearby; no hotel transfers included. Wheelchair access possible with prior coordination.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.