Sushi Class While Pregnant in Tokyo

A trip to Tokyo during pregnancy — a babymoon, a last long holiday before a baby arrives, or simply a trip that was already booked — often comes with a quiet question about food. Sushi is the obvious one. Can you still take a sushi-making class, and what should you ask before paying for it?

This article answers the booking side of that question. It does not give medical advice. What you can eat, drink and do during pregnancy is a decision for you and your own doctor or midwife, and the guidance they give you should come first. Our job is to explain what the class involves and what can be arranged, so you can match the two.

What the class actually involves

The signature sushi and matcha class lasts 90 minutes in our Asakusa studio. You make nigiri and maki with an instructor, take part in a sake toast (kagami-biraki), eat the sushi you made, and finish by whisking your own bowl of matcha. Instruction is in English.

That gives you four separate things to think about: the toppings, the alcohol, the matcha and the physical side of the session. It helps to consider them one at a time rather than as a single yes-or-no.

Toppings: ask for cooked options before booking

Raw fish is the item most pregnant travellers ask about first. Sushi does not have to mean raw fish. Our page for travel agencies lists cooked-fish options for pregnant guests among the menu adjustments we arrange, and cooked toppings such as egg are a normal part of Japanese sushi.

The practical point is timing. The standard booking form includes a dietary request field, and requests are confirmed individually. Write a clear, complete sentence, for example: “I am pregnant and need all fish to be fully cooked; egg and vegetables are fine.” If you also avoid certain other foods on your doctor's advice, list them specifically. “Seared” and “fully cooked” are different instructions, so say which one you need.

If the answer decides whether you will come at all, wait for a reply before you complete the booking. Our guide to a sushi class without raw fish explains the menu routes in more detail, including the fully plant-based Vegan Sushi & Matcha Workshop, which is a straightforward choice if you would rather avoid fish entirely.

The sake toast: no one has to drink

The signature class includes a sake toast and, for guests who drink, sake during the class. It is not compulsory. Water or Japanese green tea is available instead, and you can still take part in the barrel-opening moment with the group.

There is no need to explain why you are not drinking. If you would like a non-alcoholic cup ready for the toast, simply mention it when you arrive. Our article on joining a sushi class without drinking alcohol covers what that looks like on the day.

Matcha and caffeine

Matcha is made from powdered green tea leaves and contains caffeine. If your doctor has asked you to limit caffeine, decide in advance how much of your bowl you want to drink. Whisking the matcha is the part most guests enjoy, and you can do that whether or not you finish the bowl. If you have a question about the tea itself, ask the team before the class rather than guessing.

Pace, comfort and access

Tell us if you would like a seat nearby, need to take a short break, or may need the restroom during the session. These are ordinary requests, and it is easier to prepare for them when we know in advance. The studio is on the ground floor with step-free access, which helps later in pregnancy or when feet and backs are tired after sightseeing.

The class runs on a fixed start time. Plan a calm arrival rather than a rushed walk from a previous stop: guests are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the start. If you feel unwell on the way, contact us directly with your booking details.

If you would prefer a room without other guests, the Family Private Sushi Class is a private format with a flexible 90 to 120 minute pace and a listed no-raw-fish option. It has a published minimum of four participants and is confirmed by request, so it suits a family or group of friends rather than a couple on their own.

Plan for changes

Pregnancy can make plans less predictable, so check the cancellation terms before you book. For the signature class, cancellation is free until 24 hours before the scheduled start, and a date change is also free with at least 24 hours' notice, subject to availability. Within 24 hours, cancellations are charged in full. Our guide to cancelling or rescheduling a sushi class explains how to calculate that deadline and what to send.

A morning session can suit travellers who have more energy early in the day and would like a relaxed afternoon afterwards. Check the class page for the start times shown for your date.

A checklist before you book

1. Confirm with your own doctor or midwife what you should avoid eating and drinking.
2. Write one clear dietary sentence: fully cooked fish, or no fish at all, plus any other foods to avoid.
3. Decide whether you want water or green tea for the toast.
4. Decide how much matcha you plan to drink.
5. Mention any need for seating, breaks or restroom access.
6. If the menu answer is essential, wait for our reply before paying.
7. Note the 24-hour cancellation deadline in your calendar.

Ready to plan

When your requirements are clear, open the signature class page to see available dates and add your request in the booking form. If you have a question first, the contact page reaches the same team. A pregnancy does not have to take sushi off your Tokyo plans; it simply means asking a few specific questions before you reserve.