Tsukiji Outer Market Tour & Sushi Bento Making | About 2 Hours with a Local Guide

Explore the Market and Make a Sushi Bento with People from Tsukiji

After a guided walk through Tsukiji Outer Market, you'll make a sushi bento using ingredients from the market. In about 2 hours, you can visit specialist shops and then make and enjoy your own sushi.

The experience is run by "SMILING TOKYO," whose members include family from a long-established shop in Tsukiji Outer Market that has been in business for over 100 years. Operated by T-UP LLC, it draws on long-standing ties with Tsukiji to offer a warm, friendly market experience.

The focus of the sushi-making is "traditional, delicious and beautiful." Using ingredients sourced from the market, you'll make 10 pieces in total, including nigiri, inari and rolls. You pack each one into a wooden bento box as you make it, so you can enjoy watching the bento come together bit by bit.

First, Walk Through Tsukiji Outer Market with a Local Guide

The meeting point is in front of the "Sushizanmai Honten Annex" shop, on the right side of the building. Once you meet your guide, you'll set off on the market walk in a small group of up to 8 people.

As you stroll along the streets lined with shops, you'll learn about Tsukiji's history, its food culture and what makes each shop special. Seafood, cooking tools and more are displayed out front, and coming across unfamiliar items is part of the fun of exploring a market.

The tour is guided in English, but long explanations in difficult language are kept to a minimum. Because you listen while looking at the real thing, it's easy to join even if your English isn't strong.

Next, Hear About What Goes On Behind the Scenes and from the People Who Work There

Thanks to the guide's ties with local shops, you may also be shown behind the scenes at stores that tourists normally can't enter. Beyond just looking at the storefronts, you'll learn about the people who work in Tsukiji and what they do, which is part of the walk's appeal.

Hearing how ingredients and tools are handled will deepen your interest in what's on display at the market. The shops you visit and the work you see will vary depending on conditions on the day.

After the Walk, Start Making Sushi with Tsukiji Ingredients

After the market walk, you'll head to the classroom. All the ingredients and cooking tools are top-quality items carefully selected from Tsukiji Market. The table is set with seafood, sushi rice, knives, bamboo rolling mats and more, and you'll start making sushi with guidance from your instructor.

The sushi bento-making session lasts about 60 minutes. Besides making sushi with tuna, salmon and other fish, you can also try grating fresh real wasabi.

Following the instructor's demonstrations, you'll make sushi together with family and friends. Even if it's your first time, you'll be taught how to shape nigiri and roll maki one step at a time.

Then, Pack Each Piece into the Bento Box as You Make It

For nigiri, you combine sushi rice and a topping and shape them together. As you learn how much pressure to use and how to position your fingers, you'll pack each piece into a custom handmade wooden bento box as soon as it's done.

For maki rolls, you place nori on the bamboo mat, spread the sushi rice and roll in the filling. Once you've cut the roll with a knife, it goes into the bento box too. In total you'll make 10 pieces, including nigiri, inari and maki.

Sushi gradually fills the box, and your very own bento takes shape. Think about the colors of the toppings and how you arrange them as you finish it off.

Finally, Photograph and Enjoy Your Finished Sushi Bento

Gradually completing a beautiful bento with sushi you've made yourself is one of the highlights of this experience.

Once it's done, start with a commemorative photo. Line up your bentos with family and friends and capture how each one turned out.

After the photos, it's time to say "itadakimasu" and dig in. You'll taste ingredients sourced from specialist shops in Tsukiji Market, in the sushi bento you made yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

■ Can beginners and people who aren't confident in English take part? Yes. The instructor explains in simple English along with demonstrations. Even if you've never made sushi before, you can follow along by watching the example.

■ Can I join with children? Yes. Families with small children are welcome. Infants and toddlers are included in the booking headcount. For children's prices and any requirements for an accompanying adult, please check the plan you're booking.

■ Can you accommodate vegetarian, vegan and halal diets? Yes, if you contact them by the day before. If you have allergies, please tell them the details when booking and confirm whether they can be accommodated.

■ Where is the meeting point? It's in front of the "Sushizanmai Honten Annex" shop at 4-10-6 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo, on the right side of the building. The tour is operated separately from that shop, so please check the information sent after booking and meet the tour guide.

■ How many people are on the tour? The market walk has up to 8 people, and the sushi bento-making has up to 20.

■ Can I take the sushi bento I made home? No, takeaway is not possible. Your finished sushi bento is enjoyed at the venue.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Date and time, meeting point and cancellation policy
• Number of children, prices and accompanying-adult requirements
• Dietary requirements must be communicated by the day before
• The market walk has up to 8 people, and the sushi bento-making has up to 20

Vouchers are valid only for the date and time you select. Prices and plan details may change, so please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

After touring specialist shops with someone from Tsukiji, you'll make sushi with ingredients carefully selected at the market. As you pack each piece into the wooden bento box, your own one-of-a-kind sushi bento comes together before your eyes.

Show off your results to family and friends, take photos, and then say "itadakimasu." On your next trip to Tokyo, why not add these 2 hours of walking, making and tasting at Tsukiji Outer Market to your itinerary?

For details and availability, see Tokyo Tsukiji Market Tour & Sushi Bento Making Experience.