Arrive in Uji, a city just south of central Kyoto with deep roots in Japanese history and craftsmanship. Enter the restaurant and step into a casual, welcoming setting where the focus is on hands-on participation rather than formal dining.

Meet your guide, who will introduce the session and set the tone for an interactive and approachable experience. Watch as your sushi expert demonstrates hand-rolling techniques in front of you, walking through each step of the process.

Follow along, shaping and pressing the rice, placing the toppings, and assembling each piece yourself. When something is unclear, your guide is on hand to answer questions and explain the techniques, making the session feel natural and unhurried. The class moves at a pace that allows you to practice and refine your technique.

By the end of the 90-minute session, prepare your own sushi pieces and sit down to eat what you have made. The result is a set of nigiri or rolls crafted entirely by your own hands, with guidance from a trained sushi expert. Leave with a practical understanding of the techniques behind one of Japan’s most recognized culinary traditions, grounded in a real restaurant setting.