Best Sushi Making Classes in Tokyo 2025: 13 Authentic Experiences for Beginners (With Expert Reviews)
"Washoku," which has gained worldwide attention, was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, captivating people around the world with its delicate flavors and beautiful presentation.
Among these, "Sushi" has gained particular popularity. Sushi has been uniquely adapted in various countries and is beloved across borders.
Tokyo offers numerous options, from affordable conveyor belt sushi to high-end sushi restaurants where first-class artisans prepare their craft. When visiting Tokyo, we recommend not just eating but also experiencing sushi making itself.
This article introduces recommended sushi cooking class Tokyo options where even beginners can enjoy hands-on sushi making experiences.
What is Sushi?
Sushi comes in various types. The most well-known is "Nigiri sushi," which consists of fish placed on top of vinegared rice, but there are also diverse styles such as "Maki zushi," "Oshi zushi," and "Chirashi zushi."
Sushi was born in Tokyo about 200 years ago. At that time, it was a convenient food served at street stalls, but due to hygiene concerns, indoor service became mainstream, and it gradually came to be treated as a prestigious cuisine.
Later, in the 1950s, conveyor belt sushi appeared, and the affordable, casual style spread nationwide, making sushi once again familiar as an accessible food culture. Today, sushi is highly regarded overseas as a representative of washoku and boasts popularity worldwide.
Comparison of Sushi-Related Tours Available in Tokyo
- Authentic tours where you can experience the depth of sushi
| Tsukiji Tamasushi | Matsunozushi | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Authentic itamae-style nigiri and hand roll experience with seasonal ingredients | Sushi rice preparation and nigiri-making experience Customizable options including market tours and sake pairings |
| Features |
• Compare and taste different styles of nigiri sushi, including artisan-crafted pieces • Receive a certificate of completion |
• Get direct instruction from Tezuka YOSHI • Hear English explanations of sushi culture |
| Place to Visit | Tsukiji | Shinagawa |
| Number of Reviews | 41 | 14 |
| Rating | 3.6 | 4.9 |
| Booking Site | Official website | Official website |
| Estimated Cost (As of July 2025) | ¥8,800–¥27,500 | Inquiry required |
| Recommended For | From beginners to experienced enthusiasts who want to enjoy an authentic sushi experience | Those who want to indulge in the real thing and deeply explore Japanese food culture |
- Experiences where you can receive guidance from professional sushi chefs
| Satsumaya Main Store "Sushi Class" | Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi School | GINZA SUSHI BANYA KAI | Sushi making classes experience with professionals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Complete a full serving of thin rolls, gunkan, and nigiri by yourself | Learn the basics of sushi rice preparation, fish filleting, and nigiri making | Learn authentic Edomae-style sushi from skilled craftsmen | Make nigiri sushi, gunkan sushi, and sushi rolls |
| Features |
• Learn from a sushi chef with over 40 years of experience • Enjoy dinner with drinks inside the restaurant |
• Authentic hands-on instruction that teaches through technique • Trusted reputation with a track record that includes participation from embassy officials in Japan |
• Uses the same high-quality ingredients used in the actual restaurant • The happi coat worn during the experience can be taken home as a souvenir |
• Learn not only how to make sushi but also about the Japanese culture behind it, all in English • Learn in a welcoming, homey atmosphere with highly rated reviews |
| Place to Visit | Fujisawa (Kanagawa) | Tsukiji | Ginza | Nakameguro |
| Number of Reviews | - | - | 4 | 119 |
| Rating | - | - | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Booking Site | Official Site | Official Site | Official Site | Official Site |
| Estimated Cost (As of July 2025) | ¥13,200 | ¥13,500 | ¥20,000 | ¥19,800 |
| Recommended For | Those who want to learn about Japanese culture in addition to sushi | Those who want to learn while experiencing the techniques of Japanese sushi craftsmen up close | People who want a high-quality, authentic sushi experience in Ginza | Those who want to receive careful instruction from veteran craftsmen in a warm, welcoming atmosphere |
- Casual sushi tours you can enjoy with family and friends
| Sushi Making Tokyo | Tokyo Tsukiji Outer Fish Market Tour and Sushi Cooking Lesson | Itamae Sushi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Learn how to make nigiri sushi and maki sushi | Explore Tsukiji Outer Market and enjoy a sushi-making experience | Learn about nigiri sushi techniques, how to select ingredients, and sushi culture |
| Features | Learn how to make nigiri sushi and maki sushi | Explore Tsukiji Outer Market and enjoy a sushi-making experience | Learn about nigiri sushi techniques, how to select ingredients, and sushi culture |
| Place to Visit | Asakusa | Tsukiji | Akasaka |
| Number of Reviews | 5045 | 302 | 2 |
| Rating | 5.0 | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Booking Site | Official Site | Tripadvisor | Official Site |
| Estimated Cost (As of July 2025) | ¥13,000 | ¥15,400 | ¥17,000 |
| Recommended For | Those who want to casually experience Japanese culture while sightseeing in Asakusa | Those who want to comprehensively experience Japanese food culture | Those who want to learn authentic sushi making from professional craftsmen |
Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy Authentic Sushi Making to Feel the Depth of Sushi
Tsukiji Tamasushi
Source：Official website
Tsukiji Tamasushi's "Sushi Nigiri Experience" allows you to stand at the counter in authentic chef style and challenge yourself with authentic seasonal nigiri and hand rolls.
What's particularly appealing is the wasabi experience of grating fresh wasabi with a sharkskin grater and being able to watch professional cooking demonstrations up close. Furthermore, being able to compare the sushi you made yourself with sushi made by a craftsman is a valuable experience where you can feel the difference in taste and sensitivity.
At the end of the experience, you'll receive a certificate as proof of your participation. You can spend special time seeing, feeling, and learning about the authentic world of sushi.
You can choose courses that match your budget and needs, such as Luxury, Standard, and Premium, with substantial content that satisfies everyone from beginners to experienced participants.
Tour duration: 60-90 minutes (depending on course)
Price guide: 8,800 yen to 27,500 yen per person
Minimum number for reservation: 2 people
Click here for more details
Matsuno Zushi
Source：Official website
At Matsuno Zushi's "Hands-on Nigiri Experience," Yoshinori Tezuka (Yoshi), a 4th-generation sushi chef, directly teaches sushi making techniques in a private counter room at this historic establishment with over 100 years of history.
Yoshi is an accomplished sushi chef who has prepared sushi for events including the G20 and the British Royal Family. In addition to shari cutting and nigiri experience, he provides detailed explanations of the deep stories of sushi culture in English, allowing you to deepen your understanding of Japanese food culture while experiencing it.
Flexible accommodation is possible for vegetarians, gluten-free, and religious dietary requirements. With rich customization options including market tours and sake pairings, this content is designed for those who want to "experience the real thing in luxury."
- Tour duration: Please inquire
- Price guide: Please inquire
- Minimum number for reservation: 2 people
Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy Sushi Making Tokyo Experiences with Guidance from Professional Sushi Chefs
Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi Kyōshitsu
Source：Official website
"Sushi Nihonbashi Sushi Kyōshitsu," located near Tsukiji, offers inbound sushi experience courses for foreign visitors to Japan.
Active sushi chefs carefully instruct you in the basics of fish preparation and nigiri making. The ingredients used are fresh items purchased every morning from Toyosu Market, allowing you to experience authentic sushi making.
While the Taishō (head sushi chef's) English may not be fluent, the "teaching through technique" style of conveying knowledge through years of experience and movements should provide an experience that feels authentically Japanese.
Embassy officials and many overseas guests have participated so far, making this a classroom with trust and proven results. Please enjoy this uniquely Japanese sushi experience where you can learn through the craftsman's movements and actions themselves, rather than relying on words.
- Tour duration: 90 minutes
- Price guide: 13,500 yen per person
- Minimum number for reservation: 1 person
GINZA SUSHI BANYA KAI
Source:Official website
The popular Ginza establishment "GINZA SUSHI BANYA KAI" hosts an "Inbound Sushi Classroom" where visiting foreign tourists can learn authentic Edomae sushi. This premier sushi cooking class Tokyo offers an exceptional learning experience.
Skilled sushi chefs serve as instructors, carefully teaching everything from shari preparation, filleting and slicing sushi toppings, to the art of hand-pressing sushi. The high-quality ingredients used are the same as those served in the actual restaurant, allowing participants to experience real techniques.
On the day of the class, participants wear happi coats that they can take home as a perfect travel souvenir. English-speaking staff provide interpretation support, so you can learn with confidence without feeling any language barriers.
Located in Ginza where tradition and modernity intersect, this experience is recommended for those who want to taste not just the pleasure of eating, but the joy of creating sushi.
- Tour Duration: 90 minutes for the class, 60 minutes for dining
- Price Guide: 20,000 yen per person
- Minimum Reservation: From 1 person
Click here for more details
Sushi Making Classes Experience with Professionals
Source:air kitchen
This sushi class taught by Nobu-san, who has 40 years of experience as a sushi chef, is a warm, hands-on lesson that can be enjoyed in a calm atmosphere. This intimate sushi making Tokyo experience provides personalized attention in a relaxed setting.
The class begins with learning how to use Japanese knives and sushi tools, starting with the experience of grating fresh wasabi yourself. After that, you'll make nigiri sushi and gunkan-maki with your own hands.
I participated myself, and thanks to Nobu-san's gentle and careful instruction, I was able to enjoy making sushi without feeling nervous. Dessert is also provided, allowing you to spend a relaxing time after the experience.
The English explanations are thorough, and you can enjoyably learn not only how to make sushi but also about the Japanese culture behind it.
This experience is perfect for those who want to enjoy authentic sushi making in a relaxed, homely atmosphere without any stiffness.
- Tour Duration: 120 minutes
- Price Guide: 19,800 yen per person
- Minimum Reservation: From 2 people
Satsumaya Honten "Sushi Classroom"
Source:Official website
At the sushi classroom held by the long-established "Satsumaya Honten" in Fujisawa City, you can carefully learn everything from knowledge about sushi toppings, how to handle shari, and tips for hand-pressing from the Taishō (head sushi chef) who has over 40 years of experience as a sushi chef.
This is a hands-on style where you complete a full serving of thin rolls, gunkan, and nigiri with your own hands. Because each person works individually, you can learn thoroughly and feel a great sense of accomplishment.
Furthermore, there's a proprietress who is bilingual in Japanese and English with 30 years of experience as an English conversation instructor, so you can feel at ease asking simple questions about sushi.
The sushi you make can be taken out, but you can also enjoy it as dinner with alcohol in the restaurant.
This classroom, where you can learn in a homely and warm atmosphere, is perfect for beginners, families, and those interested in Japanese food culture.
- Tour Duration: 60 minutes
- Price Guide: 13,200 yen per person (tax included)
- Minimum Reservation: From 3 people (private rates apply for groups under 3)
Fujisawa City, where "Satsumaya Honten" is located, is relatively accessible from Tokyo. Using the JR Tokaido Main Line, it takes about 50 minutes without transfers.
Recommended Tours for Those Who Want to Deeply Understand Sushi and Fully Savor Chef-Made Sushi
REONA is an experiential high-end sushi restaurant where you can learn by observing the chef's work up close while actually touching sushi ingredients and tools. While there's no hands-on sushi making experience, you can experience sushi chef techniques firsthand, including the sharpness of knives, efficient movements, and handling of ingredients.
As the chef makes sushi right in front of you, they lecture about the thoughts and historical background embedded in sushi, as well as the aesthetic sense unique to Japanese people.
Furthermore, an experience is provided where you can compare sushi made by professionals with those that aren't. By actually tasting the delicate differences in taste and texture created by differences in technique, you can gain a deeper understanding of the profundity of sushi as a cuisine.
REONA, where you can experience the sushi chef's worldview while savoring exquisite sushi, is a special experience recommended for those who want to touch the essence of sushi.
- Tour Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Price Guide: 26,000 yen per person
- Minimum Reservation: From 1 person
3 Recommended Tours for Casual Sushi Cooking Enjoyment
Sushi Making Tokyo
Source：Official website
"Sushi Making Tokyo," which can be experienced in Asakusa, is a sushi-making class where even beginners can participate with confidence. This lesson teaches how to make two types of sushi that represent Japan: "nigiri sushi" and "maki sushi." This popular sushi cooking class Tokyo provides an authentic yet accessible introduction to Japanese culinary traditions.
The instructor explains carefully in English, so you can enjoy without feeling language barriers. You can taste the sushi you made on the spot, and you can also learn trivia about sushi culture.
Rather than professional-level authentic content, this is an experiential class that can be casually enjoyed between sightseeing, but it offers content that's sufficiently satisfying for those who want to learn the basics of sushi. It's easy to combine with Asakusa sightseeing and reasonably priced, making it recommended for those who want to experience something uniquely Japanese during their travels.
- Tour Duration: 110 minutes
- Price Guide: 13,000 yen per person
- Minimum Reservation: From 1 person
Tokyo Tsukiji Outer Fish Market Tour and Sushi Cooking Lesson
Source:Tripadvisor
This is a food culture experience tour that combines exploring the Tsukiji Outer Market with sushi making. With an English-speaking guide, you'll tour the Tsukiji Outer Market, seeing and smelling seafood like sea urchin, tuna, and crab, while tasting samples and experiencing Japanese ingredients firsthand. Sushi is said to prioritize freshness above all else, and this hands-on experience with seasonal ingredients will deepen your understanding of the cuisine.
After the market tour, you'll move to a cooking studio to learn the basics of Washoku, including rolled sushi, Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), and Miso soup. After the experience, you can leisurely enjoy the dishes you've prepared along with drinks.
This content is enjoyable even for sushi-making beginners and is recommended for those who want to thoroughly experience Japanese food culture using all five senses.
- Tour Duration: 3 hours
- Price Guide: 15,400 yen
- Minimum Booking: 2 people
Beyond Classic Sushi, Discover Heritage Art Rolls at Tsukiji/Tokyo
Source:air kitchen
In this experience, you can enjoyably create "Decorative Sushi Rolls" featuring pandas and floral patterns in addition to traditional sushi. I made a colorful plum-patterned rolled sushi, and I couldn't help but exclaim at its beauty when I cut into it.
After the lesson, there's also a tasting time using a Mini Conveyor Belt Sushi Machine, with demonstrations of hand rolls and nigiri, real Wasabi grating experience, soy sauce taste comparisons, and many other creative elements to enjoy with all five senses.
The lessons are held in the Tsukiji area, with bright and friendly hosts providing careful support in English. Additionally, you can try on kimono and take commemorative photos using Japanese-style items.
This content is perfect for those who want to casually experience not just sushi-making but Japanese culture as a whole.
- Tour Duration: 2 hours
- Price Guide: 9,000 yen
- Minimum Booking: 1 person
Recommended for Families with Children! Family-Friendly Sushi Making Tours
Tokyo Sushi-Making Tour
Source:Tripadvisor
The "Tokyo Sushi-Making Tour" is a small-group sushi cooking class Tokyo experience held in the Asakusa area. With English-fluent instructors teaching in a friendly atmosphere, even families with small children can participate with peace of mind.
In the class, you'll make four types: California rolls, decorative sushi rolls, nigiri sushi, and gunkan-maki, plus there are sushi-related quizzes and etiquette lessons with many creative learning elements through play.
This experience of connecting with Japanese culture through sushi making tokyo activities in a harmonious, laughter-filled atmosphere is perfect for creating family travel memories. It's recommended for families who want to learn together enjoyably, from children to adults.
- Tour Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Price Guide: Adults 9,500 yen
- Children 5,000 yen (ages 8-12)
- Minimum Booking: 1 person
Click here for more details
Sushi Making Class in Tsukiji Fish Market with Professional Chef
Source:Tripadvisor
For sushi lovers, this class offering authentic sushi making tokyo experiences in Tsukiji is highly recommended. Tsukiji has long been known as a market frequented by professional chefs and remains a place where fresh ingredients gather from across the nation.
First, you'll observe craftsmen filleting fish and learn about Japanese knives and ingredient handling. Then, you'll make 4 types of nigiri sushi and 1 type of rolled sushi yourself. All ingredients are fresh items sourced from Tsukiji Market, and you can taste the sushi you've made on the spot.
When I participated, there was a nearby parent-child pair enthusiastically making sushi, creating a heartwarming scene. The staff support was also warm, and I enjoyed it in a pleasant atmosphere.
This experience is perfect for those who want to casually learn sushi while feeling the atmosphere of Tsukiji.
- Tour Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Price Guide: 7,538 yen
- Minimum Booking: 2 people
Click here for more details
Itamae Sushi
Source:Official website
"Itamae Sushi Tokyo" is a sushi experience class provided by an authentic sushi restaurant chain with 10 locations throughout the city. A sushi chef with 30 years of experience provides direct instruction.
In this experience, you'll wear white coats and hats, feeling like you've become a craftsman while making sushi. You'll learn not just nigiri sushi techniques but also ingredient selection and sushi culture, making it substantial content that goes beyond mere cooking experience.
Vegetarian and allergy accommodations are available, so the whole family can enjoy with peace of mind.
This experience is perfect for children who love cooking or those who want to try sushi making in a professional atmosphere. For sushi lovers, this is a memorable lesson you'll want to experience at least once.
- Tour Duration: 90 minutes
- Price Guide: 17,000 yen
- Minimum Booking: Confirmation required
