Make Temaki Sushi at a 400-year-old Buddhist Temple in Tokyo

In Tokyo's Bunkyo ward, you'll find Jotokuji–A 400-year-old Buddhist temple with a 1000-year-old gold Buddha statue. This sacred and historic location is where your experience will take place! Roll up your sleeves, awaken your taste buds, and nourish your soul with this temaki sushi and temple experience in Japan's capital. Let's venture to Tokyo’s Bunkyo ward–home to Tokyo Dome, Koishikawa Botanical Gardens, Nezu Shrine, and Jotokuji Temple. This 400-year-old temple is steeped in history and offers visitors a haven for reflection and meditation. This is where your journey begins! Your host and an English-speaking guide will tour you through the stunning temple grounds toward a 1000-year-old gold Buddha statue, sharing local knowledge and cultural insights. Once you've soaked up the scenery, it's time to tie up your apron and get ready to hand roll–but before we dive in, take part in a chopstick-holding workshop and related party games that will finetune your skills! Ok, back to the main event: Temaki sushi is a popular and approachable style of sushi that is fun to make and even more enjoyable to eat. The name ‘temaki’ translates to ‘hand roll’ in Japanese, referring to how the sushi is prepared and presented. Making temaki sushi involves placing various ingredients onto a sheet of nori (seaweed) and rolling it into a cone shape. You'll learn how to craft the perfect temaki sushi hand rolls–using a variety of tasty fillings–under the guidance of your host before digging in to savor your creations. With your sushi cravings satisfied, it's time to get your hands on some Japanese steel with the opportunity to hold a REAL Japanese sword dating back to 1590! Keeping in line with the hands-on nature of this experience, get ready to stop, drop, and fold some origami. Flatten, fold, pleat, and learn the art of Japanese paper folding.