You arrive at a casual sushi restaurant in Minakami, a town in Gunma Prefecture known as a gateway to the mountains of northern Kanto. The setting is relaxed and approachable rather than formal, giving you a comfortable introduction to one of Japan’s most recognised culinary traditions. As you settle in, your bilingual guide introduces the session and explains how the next 90 minutes will unfold.
The chef demonstrates nigiri-shaping and roll-making techniques directly in front of you, and you follow along step by step. You handle the rice, position the fish, and apply the hand movements the chef shows you — repeating and refining as you go. When questions come up, your guide bridges the conversation so you get clear answers from the chef without anything lost in translation.
By the end of the session, you have shaped your own pieces of nigiri and rolls using the same techniques shown by the chef. You sit down to eat what you have made, finishing the experience with a plate of sushi that reflects the skills you practised during the class.