On our popular Tokyo food tours - you’ll have have the chance to try some foods that you NEVER would of had in Japan.

We know that most people try to aim for ramen, sushi, tempura and tonkatsu in Japan. But we KNOW that. What we would like for you to try is something that you never would of tried if you hadn’t come on our tour.

We begin our Tokyo food tour in Nihonbashi where you will try foods from the past and learn about the foundation of Japanese food. We try foods such as dashi, imo kenpi and satsuma-age (never heard of it right?). Then we continue forward in time and land ourselves at Ginza where we eat like modern salary men and try food stalls and drink alcohol! We end our journey in the “future” in Akihabara where we try fusion foods and see where Japan’s food culture is heading.

Come join us on our private food tour Tokyo!

Trying a dorayaki on our Tokyo food tour

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A top desire for many travelers to Japan is whether they can drink nice tea anywhere. Well, our Tokyo tour guide can show you where to get the ultimate tea drinking experience in Tokyo!

In one of Tokyo’s most popular gardens - Hamarikyu Garden - there is a quiet little tea house that sits in the middle of the lake. You have to cross a bridge to step foot inside and it’s one of the most unique tea drinking experiences you will have. After ordering their tea set, they will bring you a freshly whipped up matcha tea that comes with a nice little wagashi (Japanese sweets) on the side. There are no seats here - but rather you sit on the traditional tatami mats - so you have to practicing your floor sitting skills!

The tea house looks at out over the lake and has a nice view of the garden. Depending on the time of year, your view can change along with the color of the leaves! Ask your Tokyo tour guide to visit this garden for a very special tea experience.

Our Tokyo tour guide Laura enjoying her tea experience

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How about a private tour in Tokyo for you when you visit after this pandemic? One of our Tokyo food tours features a visit to the funky town of Akihabara where you can try a taiyaki. A taiyaki is a fish-shaped pancake with a red bean filling. It’s a classic sweet treat for locals in Japan.

However, the one in Akihabara adds a little twist. Rather than a regular fish shape, a store in Akihabara has a pokemon themed taiyaki where the fish is replaced by a Magikarp - a koi fish from the Pokemon world!

Akihabara is known for its unique otaku culture. An otaku is a geek or “nerd” usually for anime and manga. So the pokemon-themed taiyaki checks out! Join us on a private tour Tokyo

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Planning on your future trip to Tokyo and looking for activities to do? Check out Hello! Tokyo Tours and Travel Guide just for you!

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Spotlight On: Laura

In this episode of Spotlight On we meet the Laura - the foudner and CEO of Hello! Tours. We have asked Laura some questions about some of her favorite things in Japan.

What's your favorite food and where would you recommend people to get it?

My favorite dessert is Daifuku Mochi and I like to get it from a very old family-run Japanese sweets shop in Nihonbashi which has been in business for over 100 years. They have traditional fillings but my favorite is the mochi filled with fresh Hokkaido cream.

What’s your favorite place to take people to on tours?

I love going to Hamarikyu Gardens because they are a place of serenity in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis of Tokyo. Visiting these former imperial gardens is like stepping back in time. You can enjoy Japanese matcha and traditional sweets in the floating teahouse, its a very special experience.

Other fun facts about Laura

Languages Laura guides in: English

Month and year Laura joined Hello! Tours: Oct 2013

One thing Laura likes about working with Hello! Tours:

The people! Since I founded Hello! Tours in 2013 I have been fortunate enough to work with the most amazing people. Kind, caring, hardworking, passionate people who continuously go out of their way to give others the best experiences and lasting memories. Hands down, the Hello! Tours team is the most incredible group of individuals I ever could have hoped to have met, and they have all come together to work as one big Hello! family.

Something not many people know about Laura:

Not many people know that when I was 24 years old I was on a UK TV programme called Total Wipeout which was a giant obstacle course. I was so bad that I often get featured in the reruns of the best of / worst off moments!

A new robot cafe in Tokyo allows people with disabilities to control robots to serve customers

A new robot cafe has appeared in Tokyo. It’s not like like famous Shinjuku robot restaurant where there is wild music and human performers with a robotic theme to it. No, at Dawn Avatar Robot cafe there are real robots that serve customers. Here’s the unique catch - the humanoid robots offer more job opportunities for disabled workers.

The robots are operated via the internet and serve as an avatar for people who struggle to leave their homes due to a disability or other reasons. It opens up at a perfect time - during the COVID pandemic when people with health conditions might find it hard to leave to their homes, but must continue to work.

Ory Lab is behind this ingenious idea, as its own CEO Kentaro Yoshifuji was bedridden in a hospital for 3 years. This Japanese robotics company is striving to make a more accessible society - especially in Japan where traditional working conditions or the physical risks of navigating a hectic city like Tokyo could make it hard for people with disabilities to work in.

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Hello! Tokyo Tours Blog: All The Best Things To Do In Tokyo

We offer pandemic-friendly experiences such as our Holiday by Post Program. Every month we will send you a postcard and a thoughtfully chosen local gift with a video blog telling you more about your gift and the place that we bought it. For more info check here or subscribe down below!

*This list is updated as of June 22nd, 2021, more restaurants can be added as we discover more vegan eats.

Halal foods may have been quite hard to find in Tokyo, but recently as international tourism has spiked for Japan in this past decade (not with COVID of course), many Halal shops are trying to make their name for halal-friendly customers.

You can also take a look at our vegan list for vegan ramen and vegan treats for more options!

Halal Wagyu Yakiniku Panga

This is one of the few halal certified halal yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants in Tokyo. They offer delicious A-5 wagyu. For cheaper prices you can also order A-4 and A-3 ranked beef as well. They purchase their cows whole and serve the meat from parts that you order from. It’s recommended to make reservations before going.

Location: 3 Chome-27-9 Taito, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0016

Website: http://www.wagyu-panga.jp/index.html

Ise Sueyoshi

Mr. Tanaka, an English speaking halal trained chef owns this high-end kaiseki (seafood) restaurant in Nishi-Azabu. Reservations and requests for halal 10 days before is necessary to book your fine dining at this acclaimed restaurant.

Location: 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City, Nishiazabu, 4 Chome−2−15 水野ビル

Website: http://isesueyoshi.blog.fc2.com/blog-category-8.html

Reservations: https://www.govoyagin.com/ja/activities/japan-tokyo-ise-sueyoshi-muslim-friendly-kaiseki/3649

Naritaya Ramen

This very popular Halal certified ramen restaurant is the go to in Tokyo. Besides their popular maze soba (mixing noodles) they have their original delicious ramens as well. They even offer praying rooms for those wanting to pray before their meal!

Location: 2 Chome-27-13 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Website: https://www.facebook.com/NaritayaFellowsM

Honolu Ramen

Halal or not this ramen is loved by all people! A close walk from Ebisu Station, Honolu ramen is a highly rated halal/muslim friendly ramen restaurant in Tokyo. Their chicken based halal ramen is their most popular menu item.

Location: 〒150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Ebisuminami, 1 Chome−23−1 ＡＢＣ亜米利加橋 1F

Website: http://halalramen-honolu.net/index.html

Tokyo Chinese Muslim

Although it isn’t exactly Japanese food, you could argue that Chuka food (Chinese food) is a part of Japanese food and culture. This is actually one of Tokyo’s more popular and highly rated Muslin friendly Halal certified restaurant.

Location: 〒130-0022 Tokyo, Sumida City, Kotobashi, 2 Chome−18−6 地下一階 第２田中ビル

Website: N/A

Photo Credits:

Panga Wesbite

Favy JP

Tripadvisor

Timeout

Timeout

Spotlight On: Sid

In this episode of Spotlight On we meet Sid, one of the first guides for Tokyo. We have asked Sid some questions about some of his favorite things in Japan.

What's your favorite food and where would you recommend people to get it?

The fruit sandwich from Sembikiya is, one of, if not, the best fruit sandwich in the world. The milky bread, cushioned by their sweet cream and high quality fruits is the best! It’s a bit pricy but definitely worth it. Beware, there can be long lines!

What’s your favorite place to take people to on tours?

By visiting Nihonbashi, I believe you will understand the culture and history of Tokyo/Japan better. It’s a beautiful place that’s filled with hidden gems and historical sights. It amazes me that so many old stores have survived for so long there.

Other fun facts about SId

Languages Sid guides in: English and Japanese

Month and year Sid joined Hello! Tours: August 2018

One thing Sid likes about working with Hello! Japan:

I joined right before COVID-19 started, but the resilience and creativity of our team is what draws me the most. Even with the pandemic we’ve found ways to do what we love.

Something not many people know about Sid:

I love Brazlian Jiu Jitsu. I absolutely hate those injury videos where someone breaks an arm or leg, but I can’t stop practicing BJJ - where many injuries like that happen!

*This list is updated as of June 22nd 2021, more restaurants can be added as we discover more vegan eats. This list is subject to change.

Japanese food might be a bit difficult to find something that’s not non-vegan. With lots of its dishes including non-vegan foods and the vegan culture not being exactly a popular lifestyle in Japan (you could argue it is with Buddhists, but the majority is not), it could be hard to try and find vegan food in Japan. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top-rated vegan eats in Tokyo.

A great vegan source to finding your vegan treats in Japan can be found at Happy Cow.

Vegan Ramen Uzu

Uzu is located INSIDE teamlab planets making for a unique, immersive experience. Diners can eat vegan ramen while enjoying teamLabs famous digital art. Their vegan ramen dishes include shoyu, matcha, and miso ramen!

T’s Tantan

With multiple chains throughout Tokyo (Tokyo Station for anyone passing through) a highly rated vegan ramen store is taking over. Their tantanmen (sesame noodles) is their most popular dish.

Location: Stores inside of Tokyo Station and Ueno Station

Website: http://ts-restaurant.jp/

Gonpachi

Quentin Tarantino was so inspired by this restaurant’s decor that he based the movie Kill Bills: House of Blue Leaves scene off this restaurant. This place for inspiration is at the Nishi-Azabu store, but they have 6 stores throughout Tokyo. Gonpachi serves traditional Japanese food with a vegan/halal-friendly menu as well.

Location: Stores in Nishi-Azabu, Shibuya, Odaiba, Asakusa, Sakura-Shinmachi and Azamino

Website: https://gonpachi.jp/nishi-azabu/

Saido

One of the most highly rated vegan eats in Tokyo, Saido does not disappoint. It’s a chance to try what signature Japanese dishes taste like but also being vegan - amazing!

Location: Meguro-ku, Jiyūgaoka, 2 Chome−15-10, Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://saido.tokyo/en/

Bon -Taito

Specializing in Fucha cuisine - Bon offers traditional vegetarian cuisines of Zen Buddhist monks in China and Japan. A reservation is absolutely necessary, but their multi-course meals are a vegan Japan-lovers dream come true!

Location: 1-2-11 Ryusen Taito-ku Tokyo 〒110-0012

Website: https://www.fuchabon.co.jp/english/english.html

Sojo-Esperanto Vegan Kafejo

Pronounced Soyo, a small café near Waseda University that focuses on soy and Esperanto foods. Their menu consists of their daily special with brown rice and miso soup, chickpea Japanese curry or a small a la carte.

Location: 111 Wasedatsurumakicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0041

Website: https://sojo.favy.jp/

Olu Olu Café

As much of Hawaiian foods are influenced from Japan, a vegan Hawaiian restaurant in Tokyo is a great find. Ranging from vegan ramen, curry and burgers, you can get a little bit of everything here.

Location: 1-11-1 Ikejiri Setagaya-ku Tokyo

Website: https://aloha-olu-olu-cafe-english.webnode.jp/

Shinbu Sakiya

With vegan/vegetarian and meat options, this traditional styled ramen restaurant is a popular chain in the heart of the touristy Shibuya region. The menu offers a few vegan options such as shio (salt), tomato and soy sauce based ramen.

Location: 2 Chome-10-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043

Website: https://samurai-noodle.jp/

Photo Credits:

Vwage Website

Saido Website

Bon Website

Happy Cow

Lacan

Happy Cow

Vegan Uzu

Spotlight On: Keko

In this episode of Spotlight On we meet Keko, one of the longest-standing members of the Hello! Tours Team. We have asked Keko some questions about some of his favorite things in Japan.

What's your favorite food and where would you recommend people to get it?

My favourite food is Tuna Sashimi! The best can be found at any of the stands at the Tsukiji Outer Market. The tuna is super fresh and the atmosphere is great!

What’s your favorite place to take people to on tours?

Harajuku cat cafe. It's the puurrrfect place to stop for a refreshment break in the summer heat and families with kids love it. Also, I have lots of friends at the cat cafe and you will get special treatment from all of the other cats!

Other fun facts about Keko

Languages Keko guides in: Meow meow.

Month and year Keko joined Hello! Tours: Oct 2013

One thing Keko likes about working with Hello! Japan:

I was the first member of the Hello! Tours team (apart from Laura) and I've been able to live in and learn about the culture of three great cities across Asia.

Something not many people know about Keko:

Not many people know that I am the Chief Operations Officer of Hello! Tours. Most people assume I am just some office pet.