Where to Experience Sushi Making in Tokyo: Try This Traditional Food in an Ancient Hidden Japanese Town
- Peter
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
When we think of sushi, you almost immediately think of Japan, but did you know that it didn’t necessarily start in Japan?We learned this and more in our sushi making class in the heart of one of Japan's most underrated Edo period towns: Kawagoe.
On this TOMOGO! Exclusive tour, we ventured into the heart of Little Edo to find not only a historically rich and beautiful town, but we took part in the culture by making our own sushi (or in Brenden's case, he tried).
The Town: Discover Kawagoe
Little Edo Kawagoe is a great alternative to Kyoto for those who don’t have the time or money to travel to Kyoto. It’s only 40 minutes from Tokyo and is host to a variety of Japanese confectionery, teas, hidden footbaths (complete with a beer service), and endless workshops!We even made a whole video dedicated to just this fascinating town here:
The Tour: An Ultimate Sushi Making Experience!
For just ¥18,000 ($130 per person), we got to make the freshest sushi I’ve ever tasted, all while on a cultural trivia adventure that resulted in learning lots, laughing lots, and most importantly, eating a lot!
After the class, we also explored Kawagoe’s rich culture and architecture. This part was unguided, but we were so close, we had to check it out!
(Bonus: TOMOGO! has tour guides in Kawagoe for walking tours to easily discover the best local spots in Kawagoe!)
The Class: Let the Expert Sushi Chef Guide You
After entering this ancient Japanese home, which has been turned into a cafe and function room, we head upstairs to the sushi class. You can imagine the feeling that this Japanese family must have had during their time living in the house, as it is mostly unchanged.
The class with Yamada-sensei starts with an introduction and fun trivia about sushi, and while the class progresses, we got to learn more about the culture, history, and etiquette around making sushi. For such a simple-looking dish, I was blown away by the care and dedication that goes into making every piece of delicious sushi. This tour is truly a great way to not only look at and observe ancient structures in Little Edo but to participate in the culture, which is something that (we think) far too few people do.
This sushi making exclusive experience is an affordable way to participate in the culture and go a step beyond the average tourist experience! By downloading the TOMOGO! App, you can try this, get free tips, and much more—easily, anywhere in Japan.
Ikkimasho!
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