You arrive at a casual sushi restaurant near Lake Tazawa, in Akita Prefecture — a region known for its high-quality rice and fresh seafood. As you step inside, a guide introduces the session and helps orient you to what lies ahead. The setting is relaxed and welcoming, reflecting the everyday sushi culture that locals enjoy, rather than the formality of high-end sushi dining.
The sushi chef stands before you and walks through the core techniques of nigiri, demonstrating each step up close. You then shape the rice, form the nigiri, and assemble your own pieces under the chef’s direction. Your guide translates and facilitates throughout, so you follow along clearly and ask questions directly to the chef during the session.
By the end of the 90-minute class, you have握った — hand-pressed — your own nigiri sushi using techniques shown to you by a working professional. You sit down and eat the sushi you made, finishing the session with a direct taste of your own work. Any additional drinks or food can be ordered separately and paid on-site before you leave.