Tokyo Omakase Sushi Class®️, reimagined through dialogue

Sushi makes a great family moment!

Embark on an immersive culinary journey through Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Outer Market, where you’ll personally select tuna cuts with the guidance of a professional. Experience an authentic and private lesson on Edomae-style sushi making, including a detailed explanation of sushi history, knife handling techniques, cutting tuna, making sushi rice, shaping sushi, and beautiful plating. Traditional Japanese work attire and headwear are provided to ensure a clean and authentic experience.

Why choose our sushi class?

6 Key Benefits that you earn at our sushi class

Craft Sushi, Craft Family Moments

Dad, if your kids love sushi (or are just curious), this private, kid-friendly class turns a Tokyo morning into a shared win. Guided in clear English, your family works side by side—shaping rice, learning knife safety, and choosing premium ingredients—so everyone has a role and feels proud of what you create together.

This hands-on time does more than teach technique. It strengthens communication, makes teens feel capable, and gives younger kids a safe, fun way to join in. With a professional sushi chef coaching at your family’s pace, you’ll learn real skills—then enjoy the sushi you crafted right away.

You’ll leave with more than full hearts and happy photos. You’ll have a story your family will retell for years: a private Tokyo experience that’s welcoming, organized, and memorable—because you did it together.

Enhancing Your Knowledge of Sushi

Our sushi class is not just about making sushi—it’s about discovering the deeper cultural and historical aspects of this iconic Japanese cuisine. You’ll learn from a professional sushi chef about the origins of sushi, the characteristics of different seafood, the importance of seasonal ingredients, and the best choices for rice and vinegar. This enriching experience will satisfy your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for Japanese food culture.

The knowledge you gain will continue to benefit you long after the class. Imagine impressing friends and family with sushi-related insights during meals or even recreating authentic sushi at home. With Japanese cuisine gaining global popularity, your newfound expertise will also be a great conversation starter in international settings.

This class offers more than just a one-time experience—it equips you with lifelong skills and knowledge. Your deeper understanding of sushi will enhance your dining experiences, making every sushi meal more enjoyable. Additionally, sharing this knowledge may even introduce you to new communities and interests. Satisfy your curiosity, develop valuable skills, and bring the art of sushi into your daily life.

Deepen Your Understanding of Japanese Culture Through Sushi

Before taking our sushi class, participants may have had limited knowledge of Japanese culture or simply enjoyed sushi as a delicious dish. However, after attending the class, they will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Japan by experiencing its traditions, aesthetics, and craftsmanship firsthand.

Through hands-on activities such as washing rice, mixing vinegar, and preparing fish, participants will experience the meticulous attention to detail that defines Japanese culinary culture. They will also learn about the importance of seasonal ingredients and the art of presentation, which are unique aspects of Japanese cuisine. This transforms the class into a cultural experience beyond just a cooking lesson.

This newfound appreciation extends beyond the class. Even after returning home, participants will see sushi in a different light and develop a greater interest in Japanese culture. Their curiosity may lead them to explore other aspects of Japan, enriching their international perspective. Our sushi class provides a meaningful experience that adds depth and new perspectives to their lives.

Explore Tsukiji Market With an Expert Guide

Visiting Tsukiji Market for the first time can be overwhelming due to its vast size and lively atmosphere. Many visitors struggle to navigate the area and might miss out on hidden gems or struggle with language barriers. However, our sushi class includes a guided market tour led by an experienced expert.

Master the Art of Japanese Knives

Our sushi class offers a rare opportunity to learn how to use traditional Japanese knives, known for their sharpness and elegant design. Proper handling and maintenance of these knives require specific techniques. Unlike Western knives, Japanese knives have a single-edged blade, allowing for precise cuts that preserve the texture of ingredients.

Maintaining these knives also requires special care. 

In our class, participants will learn the correct way to hold and use a Japanese knife  This hands-on guidance provides knowledge and skills that are difficult to acquire through self-learning. The immediate feedback from our instructor ensures that participants can master the correct techniques with confidence.

By learning these skills, participants will be able to recreate authentic Japanese cuisine at home. Using a Japanese knife enhances both the cooking experience and the appreciation of ingredients. This is a chance to discover the charm and artistry of Japanese knives firsthand.

A Personalized Experience – Tailored to Your Preferences

Since our sushi class is a private lesson, participants can customize their experience by choosing ingredients that suit their tastes. In budget-friendly group sushi classes, ingredient options are often limited due to cost, and menus are typically pre-set. This means there is little flexibility in selecting ingredients or personalizing the experience.

In contrast, our class is designed as a premium experience, allowing us to provide high-quality and diverse ingredients. Participants can enjoy fresh seasonal seafood, premium ingredients like toro (fatty tuna) and uni (sea urchin), and rare seasonal delicacies.

The private nature of the class also allows for a more interactive and personalized experience. Participants can ask as many questions as they like, receiving one-on-one guidance that is not possible in larger group settings. This creates an immersive and enjoyable learning environment, making sushi-making even more rewarding.

Unlike budget-friendly classes, our premium private sushi class offers an exclusive and unforgettable experience. With high-quality ingredients and a tailored approach, participants can fully enjoy the art of sushi-making. This hands-on experience will allow them to confidently prepare sushi for friends and family even after returning home.

Proven Excellence – Hear From Our Satisfied Guests

1. Jennifer and Harrison from Florida.

We had an amazing time at Tokyo Omakase Sushi Class and would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo. Kenji was fantastic, warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable without making anything feel intimidating. We started by going to the fish market to chose fish and explained what really matters when it comes to quality and freshness. It was so interesting seeing the market through a chef’s eyes. Back in the class, we learned how to make sushi the traditional Edo-mae way and got to try everything hands-on. Kenji also shared some history about sushi in Tokyo, which made the experience feel even more special and meaningful. It felt very authentic, relaxed, and personal—not touristy at all. If you love sushi (or just want a memorable, hands-on experience while traveling), this is 100% worth doing.

2. Nur Suraya from Malaysia

We attended a sushi omakase class yesterday and had an incredible experience learning Edo Mae sushi from Kenji. The class was both educational and fun—Kenji shared not only techniques and tips, but also the history and cultural background behind Edo Mae sushi, which gave us a much deeper appreciation for the craft.

The hands-on experience was especially enjoyable, and everything was explained clearly and thoughtfully.

We walked away with a greater respect for sushi making and feel inspired to try making sushi at home. Highly recommend this class to anyone who loves sushi and wants to truly understand the art behind it. ????

Next, the challenge for us to make it at home. 

3. David from San Francisco

The three of us booked a private experience with Kenji. He took us through the market, where we purchased fish for our preparation. That was quite an experience. After a short train ride to his neighborhood, he then taught us how to prepare the fish and rice for sushi. This is a fantastic class for anybody that has thought about doing this themselves. Great individual instruction. Kenji is very informative and enthusiastic.

4. Angela from San Francisco

If you have any interest in learning about sushi making – book this experience! Kenji-san is a wonderful teacher and completely customizes the experience to your group – my son wanted to learn how to make tamago (not usually part of the experience) and I think he actually went out to buy a special pan just to teach that portion of the course to us! The quality of the fish that he bought at the Tsukiji market was excellent, and his knowledge/ teaching around the fundamentals and history of sushi making are wonderful. One of our best Air BnB experiences to date!

5. Chris and his son Louis from LA.

Best and authentic sushi making experience with top notch instruction. Great communication great fish great learning one of the best things to do in Tokyo! Highly recommend!!!

6.Hariett from UK

Highly recommend this cooking class!! We started at the market and had a tour round the stalls. We also visited a local shrine and Kenji was a great guide, explaining the local food & traditions. We then headed back to his building to make the sushi! Very clear instructions, and very patient with our lack of hand eye coordination & accidentally throwing rice on the floor. The best sushi I have ever tasted. Would do this again.

7. Kevin Crisp

Great experience! First we met at the Tsukiji Fish Market with the instructors and bought fish that we would use to make sushi: amazing sights and good explanations about how things work there. Then we went to the Shinto shrine for the neighborhood and learned about it. After that we went to Kenji and Rei’s kitchen studio and learned the steps to make sushi, had fun making sushi (lots of laughs), and ate some excellent sushi!

8. Cheryl Rosa from Alaska

We had a great class with Kenji! Even our two teen boys really enjoyed it. We greatly appreciated the cultural information that Kenji provided and the visit to the shrine (which was very beautiful). Nothing felt rushed and Kenji was very patient with our sons (who are not cooks!). It was a fun experience and we left very full.

9. Nancy Scheinholz from San Francisco

What a fabulous experience from the moment we started until we finished the meal. Don’t miss this tour. Kenji is one of a kind.

10. Sharon

This was a wonderful experience. Not only did we learn how to make sushi in a private kitchen, but Kenji took us through the fish market and around the neighborhood. We learned so much: history, culture, religion, business, culinary tricks, and more. Definitely a highlight of our trip.

11. Linda

We really enjoyed the market tour and sushi class with Kenji.
He is very friendly and shared with us his love for Japanese culture and his knowledge of sushi!
It was very interesting and we enjoyed this experience a lot.
He shared many interesting facts with us about sushi history as well as all the ingredients and steps required! It was very interesting and the sushi we made were really good!
Thank you very much Kenji for this great experience!

12. Megan

We have taken several cooking classes during our travels but this sushi class with Kenji was by far our favorite! We love to make sushi back home but we’re hoping to learn how to improve upon it and Kenji most certainly did this! The Tsukiji market is amazing. We would like to return on our own at some point to try all of the food stalls. We got to purchase items for our sushi and we visit a Shinto shrine and prayed to the sushi tomb! Back at the classroom kitchen we learned how to make the perfect sushi rice, how to cut the fish, and how to assemble the nigiri. The end result was a gorgeous omakase with fabulously fresh fish and freshly grated wasabi. Kenji was an excellent teacher, very kind, very engaging-particularly with our 14 year old son who had the best time. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who visits Tokyo in the future!

13. Adam

What a fantastic experience! We had the most amazing tour of the fish market and went to places that most tourists don’t get to see. The fish that Kenji got was amazing and we’ve got so much more insight into Sushi than we have ever had. We will never eat sushi the same way again… Thank you so much, Kenji, what a great day.

14. M

We enjoyed this experience thoroughly. Kenji and his assistant demonstrated and taught us how to expertly form nigiri bites and surprised us with a few extra culinary treats i won’t disclose here. He kept our two teen sons engaged the whole time. Everything was clean and professional in his working studio. We enjoyed stopping at the Shinto shrine near the market. Thank you for the wonderful lesson Kenji!

About Me

Hello and welcome! Over ten years ago, while working at an accounting firm, I began hosting international travelers through Couchsurfing. Meeting people from around the world, making new friends, and improving my English skills became a passion of mine.

One day, a guest from Italy stayed at my home and prepared an authentic paella. I was deeply impressed by the rich flavors and the skillful way they cooked. In return, I made traditional Japanese yakisoba, and my guests were delighted. These experiences made me realize the incredible power of cultural exchange through food. That’s when I started dreaming of opening a cooking class for travelers.

In 2019, I made a big decision—I left the accounting firm and became an independent guide. Just as I was excited about this new journey, the world was hit by the pandemic. All my bookings were canceled, and I faced an uncertain future. Instead of giving up, I used this time wisely to learn the art of sushi-making. I believed that this skill would add unique value to my guiding services. The dream of hosting a cooking class for travelers resurfaced, and in 2022, I spent a year studying at a sushi school. By then, more than a decade had passed since I first started Couchsurfing.

For many guests, visiting Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While guiding, I noticed that many travelers come here for special occasions—honeymoons, birthdays, and other milestones. That’s why I dedicate myself to creating experiences that will become cherished memories for a lifetime. One of my greatest joys is staying connected with my guests as a friend from Tokyo, even after they return home.

In 2023, alongside my guiding work, I finally launched my sushi-making class. Since then, I have welcomed many couples, and I often ask myself: “What can I do to make their experience even more meaningful?”

A turning point came in April 2024 when I got married. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of both the joys and challenges of marriage. My wife had struggled with alcohol dependency during the pandemic, and helping her overcome it made me reflect on the essence of partnership. It was something I had never thought about when I was single.

I came to believe that the true joy of marriage lies not only in being together but in overcoming challenges as a team.

This philosophy is reflected in my sushi class. Making sushi together is something completely new for most participants, and I encourage couples to enjoy this challenge together. My class is designed to help strengthen your bond through a fun and interactive experience.

Even after you return home, I hope you will continue to cherish your memories of Japan. I want you to feel as if you have a friend in Tokyo.

Come and experience a truly special journey with me. With my years of experience and passion, I will create a customized tour just for you. Explore hidden gems, indulge in delicious food, immerse yourself in the culture, and create unforgettable memories. I am here to make your trip truly exceptional.

Let’s make your time in Tokyo an experience to remember!

Founder ＆　SUSHI Evangelist　Kenji Kitabayashi 

Class Schedule for the Day

1.Tsukiji Market Tour

Explore the highlights of the market while selecting fresh ingredients for the day.
(We meet at Tsukiji fish market and explore the area to buy fresh tuna.)

2.Shinto and Food Culture

Learn about Japan’s deep connection to nature and food through Shinto beliefs.

3. Put on a uniform

Change into a clean work outfit to enjoy the experience comfortably.

4.Ingredient Storage

Carefully place today’s fresh ingredients into the sushi case.

5.Preparation 

Let’s make sushi rice. I show you how first ,then guests follow. Watch carefully what I do and do same way as I do. 

6.Wasabi Grating & Tasting

Experience the aroma and bold flavor of freshly grated wasabi.(Preparation – Wasabi)

7.Sushi Rice Making & Tasting

Use the latest technology to prepare perfect sushi rice, then enjoy a taste test.

8.Mastering the 8 Steps of Nigiri

Learn the essential techniques to shape perfect nigiri sushi.
(Mastering the 8 basic steps of Nigiri)

9.Plating Tips for Beautiful Sushi

Discover how to arrange sushi elegantly for a stunning presentation.

10.Photo Time!

Capture your sushi-making experience with memorable photos.

11.Sushi Etiquette at the Counter

Learn the proper way to enjoy sushi at a counter without embarrassment.

Join us for an authentic sushi experience filled with tradition, culture, and hands-on learning!

Price

Credit Card,Paypal available.

Number of Participants 1 to 7 (Private lesson tailored to individual or small group experience)

Duration 3.5 hour.

Time 9:00am to start

Restrictions

• No infants
• Advance booking is required.
• Please notify in advance of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
• Lessons are conducted in English (Ask us for French, Italy, Spanish translator.)
• NO VEGAN option is available because we focus on authentic style of sushi called EDOMAE style.

Start your sushi journey today! Contact us here.

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