Hyogo Cooking Class
Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef

Hyogo


House

Pick Up

Vegetarian

6 hours

Max 6 guests

Market Visiting






Cooking Class Menu

Experience the art of sake and sushi on a private tour near Osaka. Visit Sake Brewery Museum, taste sake, & make sushi with a certified sommelier & former sushi chef
 
Meet your host at Hanshin Osaka Umeda Station (See the neon sign in the photo gallery) to begin your private culinary adventure. Your day starts with a short train ride to Hanshin Nishinomiya Station. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Hakushika Sake Brewery Museum, or you can take a quick taxi for around ¥1,000 (at your own expense).
 
At the museum, you’ll learn about the history and traditions of sake brewing in the famous Nada Gogo region, discovering the subtle differences between various types of sake. Start with a guided tasting at the Hakushika Sake Brewery Museum, where you’ll sample both classic and premium sake varieties—standard selections served in 40ml portions to daiginjo sake in 100ml servings. The first tasting is included; additional drinks are optional and self-pay. Take your time to savor the delicate aromas and flavors, snap photos at scenic spots, and browse the gift shop for unique souvenirs. Unlike free sake breweries that offer only a quick tasting, Hakushika provides a curated cultural experience. You’ll explore historical exhibits, learn about traditional brewing techniques, and enjoy your tasting in an elegant setting that reflects centuries of craftsmanship. 
 
Important Info:
The sake brewery is closed on Tuesdays, so the full brewery & sushi tour is unavailable.
However, the nigiri sushi experience alone is still available on these days.
Guests can also choose flexible start times depending on availability.

  • Nigiri Sushi

    Nigiri Sushi

    Sushi (寿司, 鮨) is a Japanese dish of specially prepared vinegared rice (鮨飯 sushi-meshi), usually with some sugar and salt, combined with a variety of ingredients (ネタ neta), such as seafood (most commonly and often raw), vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. Styles of sushi and its presentation vary widely, but the key ingredient is "sushi rice", also referred to as shari (しゃり), or sumeshi (酢飯).

  • Sake

    Sake

    Japanese popular alcoholic drink must be Sake, or called Nihonshu, made from fermented rice. The foundation of good sake is quality rice, clean water, koji mold and yeast. Premium sake differentiates itself in quality of ingredients and production process, so that flavors ranges light and crisp to richer, fruity notes.

Cooking Class Information

“A piece of sushi a peace”
 
After the brewery tour, you will move to a quiet, private sushi studio in Ashiya, surrounded by nature and calm. Here, a professional chef with over 40 years of experience will guide you through the art of making sushi — from preparing rice to shaping perfect nigiri.
 
This is a fully private, small-group experience, limited to up to 6 guests. Whether you are traveling as a couple, with family, or on a solo journey, this class invites you to slow down, breathe, and connect with Japan through its two most iconic symbols of craftsmanship: sake and sushi.

Duration: About 5–6 hours (including sake brewery tour and sushi class)
Start times: Between 10:00 and 14:00 (depending on your schedule)

The host holds multiple national and international certifications:
• National Culinary License
• Fugu Handling Registration
• Certified Food Coordinator
• Wine Sommelier
• Whisky Certification Level 2
• Japanese Whisky Certification Level 2-dan

Join this peaceful culinary journey — where a piece of sushi and a sip of sake bring a moment of peace to your heart.


What you will do


Meet Up in Osaka & Kick Things Off

1. Meet Up in Osaka & Kick Things Off

We’ll start at the East Exit of Hanshin Umeda Station in downtown Osaka—super easy to spot. From there, it’s just a quick 15-minute train ride to Nishinomiya, followed by a short stroll to the Hakushika Sake Brewery Museum. A perfect little warm-up before your foodie adventure begins!

Explore the Sake Museum & Enjoy Your First Sip

2. Explore the Sake Museum & Enjoy Your First Sip

Step inside and dive into the world of Japanese sake. Check out the exhibits, pick up some cool history, and of course—enjoy your very first tasting. Yep, it’s included in the entry fee! Feeling adventurous? Extra pours start at just 100 yen. Pace yourself—we don’t want you wobbling out of the museum. Before we head out, you’ll have a chance to grab some unique sake souvenirs to take home.

Head Over to Your Private Sushi Studio

3. Head Over to Your Private Sushi Studio

Next, we’ll hop in a quick cab—around $10–15, self-pay—to Sushi sKool K, your very own private cooking studio. Welcome! This is where the sushi magic really begins.

Warm-Up Practice & a Rare Demo from the Chef

4. Warm-Up Practice & a Rare Demo from the Chef

Before diving into the real sushi rice, you’ll warm up with sushi models to get your hand movements just right. Meanwhile, your chef host will be prepping the shari (sushi rice) right in front of you—a behind-the-scenes peek that even most Japanese folks rarely get to see!

Time to Make Your First Real Sushi!

5. Time to Make Your First Real Sushi!

Now it’s your turn! Start with gunkan-maki (battleship rolls), then move on to classic nigiri and other styles. That first bite of sushi you made with your own hands? Trust us—it’s one of those “I did it!” moments you’ll remember forever.

Plate, Snap, and Feast

6. Plate, Snap, and Feast

With a little guidance, you’ll learn how to plate your sushi like a pro—because presentation really is everything in Japanese cuisine. Then, sit down and dig into a full sushi meal you made with your own two hands. Don’t forget the photos—you’ll want to show them off later with a proud, “Yep, I made this!”

Group Photos & A Friendly Goodbye

7. Group Photos & A Friendly Goodbye

We’ll wrap things up with group photos beside your chef— a perfect way to capture the day and all the smiles.   Goodbyes don’t have to be heavy. Instead, let’s say “see you soon”—because the memories, the laughter, and the sushi you made today? They’ll stick with you long after you leave.   Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and know this isn’t really the end. It’s just another story in your Japan adventure—one you can carry with you wherever you go.


About Host



Hi, I’m Keitaro!
I’m a former sushi chef with experience both in Japan and the US, and now I’m here to share the real Japanese sushi experience with people from all over the world.

My kitchen is just a quick 20-minute train ride from Osaka’s Umeda Station. It’s clean, cozy, and the perfect spot to roll up your sleeves and make sushi in a safe, fun setting.

I love experimenting with ingredients, pairing sushi with local sake, and swapping travel stories. But here’s the serious part—sushi isn’t just food. It’s tradition, technique, and a way to connect people. That’s the part I want you to experience most.

Beginners? Totally welcome. I’ll guide you step by step, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make beautiful nigiri.

So come hungry, bring your curiosity, and let’s create some delicious sushi and unforgettable memories together!

And hey, just so you know—I’m officially licensed too:
I hold a National Chef License (Japan’s official government certification for chefs),
Fugu Handling Registration Certificate,
Japan Sommelier Association–certified Wine Sommelier,
and I also hold certifications in Japanese whisky.
Nothing you need to worry about, but it’s nice to know your sushi is in safe hands!

Thank you all!


Area



The closest station

Hankyu Shukugawa Station




How to get to the station?

From JR Ashiya Station: 15mins





Exact location provided after booking.


FAQ about Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef | Cooking class by Keitaro

  • How long is this cooking class by Keitaro?

    Duration of this cooking class is 6 hours.

  • Is Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef available for vegetarians?

    Yes, Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef has a vegetarian option.

  • What is the maximum capacity of Keitaro's cooking class?

    Up to 6 people can join Keitaro's cooking class.

  • Is Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef available for vegans?

    Yes, Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef has a vegan option.

  • How much does it cost to join Private Sake Brewery Tour & Sushi Making with a Certified Sommelier & Professional Former Sushi Chef?

    It costs 29500 per person.

Additional cooking class information

  • Confirmation

    You will receive the confirmation within 24 hours.

  • Payment

    We accepts these cards on airKitchen.

  • Cancellation

    Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to the class begins will be fully refunded by the airKitchen cancellation policy.


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