About this tour
When Alex from our BugBitten team booked this sushi-making class at Kojima Sushi Shop in Tako, Chiba, we knew it'd be hands-on—and it was. You spend two and a half hours learning to roll maki, shape nigiri, and press onigiri under the eye of Chef Kojima, then sit down to eat what you've made alongside traditional sides like tempura and miso soup. The shop sits in a quiet part of Chiba, popular with locals curious about cooking, a few tourists, and small groups. It's the kind of place where you leave with damp aprons, a full belly, and a genuine skill.
Highlights
- Roll, press, and shape three different sushi styles in one session
- Chef Kojima prepares matching side dishes while you cook
- Takeout containers let you wrap up extra rolls for later
- English-speaking support means no translation stress during demo
- Optional sake tasting available on-site for keen drinkers
- Quiet, local sushi shop vibe—not a factory-line class
- Fun quiz at the end if time allows; playful touch
What to expect
You'll arrive at the shop and get fitted out with an apron, cap, and gloves—proper kit that signals this is actual cooking, not theatre. Chef Kojima walks you through the motions with live demo, then it's your turn. The first 90 minutes or so is hands-on: learning grip, pressure, and timing for nigiri; rolling technique for maki; the gentle squeeze-and-wrap for onigiri. Your guide is there to catch mistakes and show you the pro tricks. It moves at a fair clip but doesn't feel rushed.
Once the making wraps, you sit down to a proper meal. The sushi you've made, plus Chef Kojima's own tempura, miso, and a simmered side dish, all land on your table. It's generous and tasty—a real payoff. If you're keen and old enough, sake tasting happens here too. There's a quiz if time permits, keeping the energy light.
What travellers say
- Three sushi techniques learned and practised in one session
- You cook, Chef cooks; shared meal keeps pace human
- English-speaking guide cuts through confusion and jargon
- Quiet local shop—no assembly-line factory feeling
- Takeout boxes let you keep extra rolls and leftovers
- Sake tasting available for interested drinkers on-site
- Bus fare and sake tasting cost extra—read the fine print
- 2:30 PM start requires mid-afternoon travel from city
- Limited space; crowded feel if group is large
- Small children needing laps may fuss during active demo
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a legit cooking skill you'll actually use. Chef Kojima's presence and the English support remove guesswork. You eat what you make, so no waste or performance. Small-group size keeps it intimate. The shop's local setting feels authentic, not touristy. Takeout containers are smart—extra rolls go home.
The round-trip bus fare (¥600) isn't included, so factor that in. Sake tasting is ¥1000 extra and only for over-20s. The 2:30 PM start means a mid-afternoon commute from central areas; check the local train schedule. Small children (infants especially) can be fiddly on an adult's lap. The shop doesn't have loads of space, so large groups might feel squeezed. Wear clothes you don't mind getting splashed.
Bring ¥600 for the bus if using public transport. Aprons, caps, and gloves provided. All sushi-making ingredients and takeout boxes included. Groups typically stay small; ask when booking.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.