Kyoto: Hand Rolled Sushi Class

Learn to make traditional hand-rolled sushi, enjoy the meal you create, and explore a historic Kyoto machiya filled with traditional architecture and cultural details.

Getting started

Make your way to the Tondaya main building for registration. Once everyone is ready, the experience begins with an introduction to hand-rolled sushi making. All the ingredients and cooking tools needed for the activity are provided, so you can focus on learning the traditional preparation under the guidance of your instructor.

What to expect

• Learn how to prepare traditional Japanese rolled sushi with careful guidance from your instructor. The hands-on session gives you the chance to practise the techniques and create your own maki sushi using the provided ingredients and cooking tools.

• Once the sushi-making session is complete, sit down to enjoy the maki sushi you prepared yourself. Your meal is served with a warm bowl of Japanese-style soup, giving you a chance to savour the results of your cooking experience.

• Continue with a tour of Tondaya, a precious traditional Kyoto townhouse designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and a Structure of Landscape Importance. The building offers a glimpse into traditional Japanese architecture and lifestyle.

• The machiya features six beautiful gardens, three tea rooms, two wells, three storehouses, and an authentic Noh stage. As you move through the building, you can learn about its history and admire its preserved architectural details.

• Photography is permitted throughout the building, allowing you to document the traditional interiors and gardens. The order of the machiya tour and photography may change depending on the situation on the day of your visit.

The experience concludes on-site after the machiya tour, leaving you with a combination of Japanese cooking, a traditional meal, and an introduction to Kyoto's historic machiya culture.