Now that we are in to the teen years, it’s becoming more difficult to find fun things to do for a birthday party. I came across the Yo! Sushi School completely by accident, I had no idea that they did sushi making classes. The fact that you could book places rather than having to book a full party made it perfect for a birthday treat. Also we must be the only family who travels all the way to Japan only to do a sushi class in Harrogate a few weeks after we return!
How it works?
The sushi school is on set dates (one Wednesday a month) so we booked for the Wednesday closest to Pip’s birthday which happened to be the night before. Pip invited two of her best friends along so there were 4 of us all together.
The session starts at 6:30pm and runs for approximately 2 hours, we were having so much fun and making so much sushi that our session ran for slightly longer. We were in an area set up at the back of the restaurant and there were two other groups with us, a grandparent and grandchild and a couple. Despite the fact we were all seated together, each group had their own area so you could chat to everyone or just chat within your own group.
The evening was very chilled. We each had a work station set up with equipment and ingredients. The member of staff leading the evening showed us how to make 4 different types of sushi throughout the 2 hours but we worked at our own pace and choose which ingredients to include (so if there is something you don’t like then you don’t have to add it). We were able to request more of the things we liked as the evening went on.
Half way through the session there was a short break where we could order drinks and have a bathroom break. After the break we were shown how to fillet salmon for the different types of sushi and then everyone was able to have a go at the knife skills needed.
You can eat what you make as you go along or they will cut up and box up your sushi for you to take home with you. As a result of getting carried away with our new found sushi making skills, we came home with at least 6 boxes!
After our sushi making session we stayed to finish our drinks and have some dessert.
Our thoughts
Pip and her friends loved the session, they came away beaming and clutching their boxes of sushi! The member of staff that led our session was the loveliest and we learned so much despite it being very relaxed and chilled. The girls got to chatter away while we were working, try some fun Japanese drinks and learn a new skill. We would definitely recommend it, either for a full party, a fun activity or a date night.
The logistics
Yo! Sushi classes are bookable online. You can book a full session by emailing them directly or buy a gift voucher for someone to book their own session.
Ticket options are adult or under 16 and you can add an alcoholic drink to the adult ticket. You are able to order drinks throughout the session, payable on the night.
Children under 16 are able to take part and the adult accompanying them doesn’t need to book a place but does need to have food and drink.
We visited in May 2025 for Pip’s 13th birthday.
Go everywhere, Do everything 