Arrive at a casual sushi restaurant on Naoshima, the island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea known for its distinctive blend of art and local culture. The setting is relaxed and approachable rather than formal. Meet the chef and learn about the flow of the session before things get started.

Watch as the chef demonstrates the nigiri technique in front of you, walking through each step of how sushi rice is shaped and how fish is placed and pressed by hand. Then, replicate the process yourself, working through the same steps at your own pace.

Your guide is present throughout to translate, clarify instructions, and relay any questions you direct to the chef, making the back-and-forth between you and the chef straightforward.

By the end of the session, shape your own nigiri pieces and sit down to eat what you have made. The Q&A format means you leave with answers to specific questions about technique, ingredients, or Japanese food culture that came up during the process.