FAQ
Answers to the questions guests ask most often about Tokyo Omakase Sushi Class. If you cannot find what you need, please write to me through the contact page. I read every message myself.
Booking and pricing
- How much does the class cost?
- Prices are per group, not per person: 2 guests ¥60,000, 3 guests ¥70,000, 4 guests ¥80,000, 5 guests ¥90,000, 6 guests ¥100,000, 7 guests ¥110,000, and 8 guests ¥120,000.
- How can we pay?
- We accept major credit cards, PayPal, or cash on the day. The deposit is paid online through a secure payment link.
- How do I book?
- Booking takes five steps:
- Click the Check Availability button at the top of any page and choose a date on the calendar.
- If the date is available, click Request this date. The contact form opens with your date filled in. Add the number of guests and send it.
- I will send you a payment link for the ¥5,000 deposit.
- Your date is secured as soon as the deposit is paid.
- I will send you a booking confirmation, including the meeting point.
- Is a deposit required? What is the cancellation policy?
- All bookings require a ¥5,000 deposit, which secures your date. Cancellations made at least one week before the class are fully refunded. Cancellations made later than that are not refunded.
- How many guests can join one class?
- A class is for 2 to 8 guests. Solo guests are accepted by inquiry only. For a larger group, please contact me in advance.
- How far in advance should I book?
- Please book at least one week ahead so I can prepare. Saturdays and Japanese holidays often fill up several weeks in advance.
- What is included in the price?
- All ingredients, the venue, a work uniform, the use of all tools, the guided walk through Tsukiji Outer Market, and photography during the class. There are no additional charges.
- Is the class private?
- Yes. Private means the class is just for you and the people you book with. No one you don’t know will join your class. I host only one group per day, and I never combine groups. I have hosted private experiences for international travelers since 2013.
The day of the class
- Where do we meet?
- We meet at Tsukiji Outer Market. After a guided walk of about one hour, we take the subway together to my kitchen studio in Iriya, Taito-ku. The exact meeting spot is shared after booking.
- What time does the class start, and how long is it?
- Classes usually start at 9:00 a.m., and other start times, such as 10:00 a.m., can often be arranged. The class takes about 3.5 hours in total.
- What if we are running late?
- Please contact me as soon as you know. I share my direct contact details after your booking is confirmed.
- Do we need to bring anything?
- No. All ingredients, a work uniform, and all tools are provided.
- Which subway stations are closest to the meeting point?
- Tsukiji Station (Hibiya Line) and Higashi-Ginza Station (Toei Asakusa Line).
- Will you send directions in English?
- Yes. After your booking is confirmed, I send a Google Maps link and clear directions in English.
- What happens in bad weather?
- If heavy rain makes walking difficult, I shorten the market walk and extend the hands-on sushi session. You still get a full, private class.
- Is the class taught in English?
- Yes. The class is taught in English, and you can ask me anything directly. Interpreters for French, Italian, or Spanish can be arranged on request.
Food and drink
- Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?
- Please tell me about any allergies or dietary restrictions when you book, and I will plan the menu around them. Gluten-free needs can be accommodated.
- Can we request a specific type of sushi?
- Yes. Tell me in advance what you would like to learn or eat, and I will build it into the class where I can. Some requests, such as extending the class, may change the price.
- Do I need any cooking experience?
- No. The class suits complete beginners and experienced home cooks alike, and the techniques are designed so you can repeat them at home.
- Is there a vegan option?
- No. The class teaches Edomae sushi, a traditional style built around fish, so a vegan option is not available.
- Can we drink alcohol during the class?
- We do not serve alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own drinks if you wish. There is a 7-Eleven just around the corner from my kitchen studio, so you can pick up drinks on the way.
Children and families
- Is there a minimum age?
- Children aged 6 and up are welcome. If your child is younger than 6, please contact me first. A child who can follow simple instructions in English can usually take full part. Infants cannot join.
- My child does not eat raw fish. Can they still join?
- Yes. Children take part as real learners, whether or not they eat raw fish. Please tell me their ages and what they like to eat when you book, and I will plan the class around them.
- Do you have uniforms for children?
- We use professional restaurant uniforms in sizes S, M, L, and LL. Because they are made for adults, we do not have sizes for very small children.
About the instructor
- Who teaches the class?
- I do. I am Kenji Kitabayashi, the founder of Tokyo Omakase Sushi Class and a licensed Tokyo guide. You can read more on the About Us page.
- Are you a sushi chef?
- No. I call myself a sushi evangelist. I trained for a year at Tokyo Sushi Academy and continue to train privately with a veteran sushi chef, but my role is to teach and explain sushi, not to run a restaurant counter. I wrote about the difference in I Am Not a Sushi Chef.
- Do you ever get tired of sushi?
- Eating sushi and teaching sushi are different things. Teaching never gets old, because it is a joy to watch each guest master it.
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