Authentic Sushi Making Experience in Shima, Mie

Step behind the counter and craft traditional nigiri sushi using fresh local seafood with a 30-year veteran master.

Why Experience Sushi Benkei?

Discover the real ocean flavors of Ago Bay and traditional culinary artistry

🐟 Fresh Ise-Shima Catch

Experience sushi made with fresh seasonal seafood directly from local waters, including sustainably sourced underutilized fish (miriyou-gyo) bursting with natural flavor.

🔪 30-Year Veteran Chef

Learn authentic knife handling, vinegared rice (shari) shaping, and delicate nigiri pressing techniques directly from Chef Makoto Watanabe.

🍣 Warm & Hands-On

Culinary hospitality transcends language. Through intuitive body language, visual guides, and step-by-step demonstrations, everyone can enjoy creating sushi.

Courses & Pricing

Session Times: Slot 1: 11:30 AM | Slot 2: 1:30 PM
Capacity: Private groups of 2 to 8 guests (Larger groups negotiable)

Course	Price (Tax Incl.)	Duration	Details
1. Standard	¥8,800 / person	Approx. 90 mins	Hands-on sushi making (4–6 pcs), authentic Fisherman’s soup (Ryoshi-jiru), and green tea.
2. Premium	¥15,000 / person	Approx. 90 mins	Upgraded course featuring premium seasonal seafood and specialty cuts from local waters.
3. Discover	¥39,600 / person	Approx. 2.5 hours	Ultimate Experience: Full hands-on sushi making PLUS an exclusive chef-curated culinary journey diving deep into Shima’s local food culture and seasonal traditions.
Children	Discount available	–	Children’s rates available. Please inquire with ages upon booking.

* All courses include: Tool & apron rental, Fisherman’s soup, and Japanese green tea. Arrive empty-handed!
* Optional Add-on: Local Mie sake tasting is available on-site (extra fee applies).

How the Workshop Unfolds

Step 1: Welcome & Preparation

Arrive empty-handed—all tools and aprons are ready. Learn the basics of sushi culture, local fish, and seasoning.

Step 2: Master Demonstration

Watch Chef Watanabe demonstrate proper slicing mechanics, finger placement, and rice pressure up close.

Step 3: Hands-on Nigiri Making

Craft fresh seasonal nigiri sushi under the chef’s attentive, one-on-one personal guidance.

Step 4: Feast & Cultural Journey

Savor your creations with steaming Fisherman’s soup (Ryoshi-jiru). For the Discover course, enjoy an extended tasting and cultural narrative with the chef.

Meet Your Chef

Makoto Watanabe (渡辺誠)

Over 30 years of sushi mastery | Born in Fukushima Prefecture

With three decades dedicated to the craft of sushi, Chef Watanabe now shares his passion for the sea in Shima, Mie. While Chef Watanabe does not speak fluent English, his friendly, welcoming presence, intuitive body language, and step-by-step demonstrations ensure every guest feels completely supported and entertained.

Location & Access

Shop Name: Sushi Benkei (すし弁慶)
Address: Agocho Ugata, Shima-shi, Mie, Japan (三重県志摩市阿児町鵜方)
Access by Taxi: Approx. 10 minutes from Kintetsu Ugata Station (鵜方駅) or Kashikojima Station (賢島駅).
* Note: Station pick-up is not available. Taxis are easily hailed from the station.
Parking: Free dedicated on-site parking available.

⚠️ Important Policies & Notes

• Dietary Restrictions:
We sincerely apologize, but due to raw seafood handling and seasonal preparation, we cannot accommodate food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free requests.

• Payment Methods:
Payment can be completed on-site via Cash (Japanese Yen) or PayPay, or via advance bank transfer. (Credit cards are not accepted on-site).

• Cancellation Policy:
– Up to 4 days prior: Free cancellation
– 2 days prior: 50% fee
– 1 day prior: 75% fee
– Same day / No-show: 100% fee

Reserve Your Private Sushi Experience

Exclusive private bookings only (2 to 8 guests). Please inquire with your preferred course (Standard / Premium / Discover), date, time slot, and number of guests.

Inquire via Email