Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time – Small Group Food Tour

Taste your way through Tokyo’s food history – from Edo-era flavours to Tokyo’s everyday eats – guided by locals.

Since 2019, our Tokyo food tour has introduced curious travellers to the flavours, rhythms, and quiet beauty of Japanese cuisine. This is the original Hello! Tokyo tour — immersive, unhurried, and rooted in the everyday food culture that defines this city.

We begin in Nihonbashi, once the beating heart of Edo-period Tokyo, where trade and tradition shaped Japan’s earliest culinary identity. Among centuries-old shops, we taste the ingredients that underpin washoku — Japan’s UNESCO-listed cuisine — including kombu, katsuobushi, and dashi. You’ll sample classic snacks like imo kenpi and wagashi while hearing the stories of the families who still make them by hand.

Arriving at Tokyo Station, we enter the present-day section of the tour. Here, we explore how long working hours and commuter life gave rise to some of Tokyo’s most beloved everyday foods — starting with two shinkansen favourites: a freshly made croquette and a fluffy, fruit sando.

We then walk beneath the train tracks to enjoy a comforting bowl of curry udon or tempura soba at a local noodle shop, followed by a stop at a welcoming izakaya for a selection of grilled chicken dishes and a cold lemon sour — the go-to drink of Salarymen. As we eat, we unpack how Japan’s post-war work culture shaped modern dining habits and the ongoing reliance on quick, satisfying meals.

Finally, we head to Akihabara, where Japanese pop culture, anime, and experimentation thrive. Here, we finish with a trio of dessert snacks that put a fresh twist on familiar flavours.

Throughout the day, you’ll discover not just what Tokyoites eat, but why. We’ll walk about 6.5km through old merchant lanes, railway arcades, shrines, and food halls, stopping often — to eat, to rest, and to reflect. You’ll leave with a full belly, a deeper understanding of Tokyo, and a craving to come back.

This is a walking tour and covers approximately 6.5 km (4 miles) over 5.5 hours. You’ll need to be comfortable walking at a steady pace, including navigating stairs in subway stations. The tour is not suitable for guests with mobility difficulties, strollers, or wheelchairs.

Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on this group tour. If you’re travelling with young children or prefer a more flexible experience, we recommend booking a private tour instead.

This tour includes a wide variety of foods, including meat, seafood, wheat/gluten, and dairy. It is not suitable for vegans, strict vegetarians, or those with multiple dietary restrictions. Pescatarians are welcome, and gluten‑free guests may need to skip several tastings.

The tour is conducted in English only. Tours take place come rain or shine — except in the event of a Red Warning or Purple Emergency Warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency; for up‑to‑date information visit their website. Please bring an umbrella and wear comfortable shoes.

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All pricing is in USD.