You arrive at a casual sushi restaurant in Aizu-Wakamatsu, a city in Fukushima Prefecture known for its samurai history and regional food culture. As you settle in, your guide introduces the session and helps bridge any language gap between you and the chef. The setting is relaxed and welcoming, giving you a comfortable starting point before the hands-on work begins.
The chef demonstrates nigiri technique step by step, and you follow along, shaping rice and placing toppings with your own hands. Your guide translates instructions and helps you ask questions directly to the chef as the session progresses. You work through each step at your own pace, adjusting your grip and technique based on the feedback you receive in real time.
By the end of the 90 minutes, you have shaped and assembled your own nigiri sushi, which you then eat. The Q&A format throughout the session lets you dig into specifics — from rice preparation to fish handling — so you leave with practical knowledge you can apply beyond the restaurant. The experience concludes with your finished plate in front of you.