Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time -Private food tour
From Edo-era sweet shops to izakaya under train tracks, this private food tour reveals Tokyo’s soul through its food, history, and hidden streets.
Eat like a local underneath the railroads on a Tokyo food tour
At a Glance
- • Availability: 7 days a week
- • Starting Time: Between 11:00am and 3:00pm
- • Duration: 5.5 hours (or 6.5 hours with hotel pickup)
- • Meeting Point: Nihonbashi Subway Station (B12 Exit) or your hotel lobby
- • Finish Point: Akihabara or your hotel (on request)
- • Group Size: Private tour for up to 8 people (larger groups on request)
- • Includes: All food and specialty drinks listed below
- • Transport: Two short subway rides (fare not included, approx. US$3/person)
- • Distance Walked: Approx. 6.5km / 4 miles (can be reduced for accessibility)
- • Language: English or Portuguese on request
About the Tour
Step into the culinary soul of Tokyo on a journey that’s as rich in history as it is in flavor. This private food tour is more than just a tasting—it’s a story told through the streets, snacks, and seasonal traditions of Japan’s capital. Visiting three distinct districts—Nihonbashi, Tokyo Station / Yurakucho, and Akihabara—you’ll trace Tokyo’s evolution through the lens of what people eat, where they eat it, and why.
We begin in Nihonbashi, the beating heart of Edo-era Japan. Here, in what was once the centre of commerce and culture, you’ll discover heritage snacks like imo kempi and wagashi that have been enjoyed for generations. As we explore this elegant district, your guide will share stories from the Edo period, introduce the philosophy of washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), and offer insight into Japan’s indigenous religion, Shintoism, as we pause at a local shrine.
Then it’s on to the present day. At Tokyo Station, we enter the world of grab-and-go convenience—croquettes, fruit sando, and more—foods born out of the fast-paced routines of modern Tokyo life. We take in rooftop views of the city skyline, walk beneath elevated train tracks to a casual noodle shop, and sit down at a no-frills izakaya for grilled chicken and a tart lemon sour, the after-work drink of choice for Japan’s salarymen.
We end in electric Akihabara, Tokyo’s tech and pop culture playground. Here, we sample quirky modern treats and reflect on the evolution of Japanese tastes—from old Edo to modern-day metropolis.
Though food is the focus, this is also a sightseeing and cultural experience: you'll visit shrines, train stations, backstreets, and rooftops, gaining local perspective with every step. With two sit-down meals and plenty of local snacks in between, this is a deep yet delicious dive into the real Tokyo.
What We Eat
- • Hot Dashi + Onigiri: Begin with a warming cup of dashi broth and a handmade rice ball from a shop that has been serving locals since the Edo period.
- • Kombu Trio: Taste three styles of umami-rich kelp from a specialist shop with over a century of culinary history.
- • Imo Kempi: Crisp, caramelised sweet potato chips—a nostalgic snack that dates back generations.
- • Amazake: A traditional fermented rice drink, naturally sweet and alcohol-free, once a staple of Edo street food culture.
- • Wagashi: Beautifully crafted seasonal sweets enjoyed by locals during festivals and tea ceremonies.
- • Croquette + Fruit Sando: Two modern classics often eaten on Shinkansen train rides—golden fried potato croquettes and fluffy cream-filled fruit sandwiches.
- • Curry Udon or Tempura Soba: A hearty bowl of noodles—either thick curry udon or delicate soba topped with crisp tempura—served under the railway tracks in a retro local shop.
- • Yakitori + Izakaya Dishes: Sit down for grilled chicken and seasonal izakaya specialties, paired with a refreshing lemon sour—the go-to drink of Tokyo’s Salarymen.
- • Modern Dessert Snacks: End your tour with playful confections found in Akihabara’s quirky sweet shops — from anime-shaped taiyaki to nostalgic penny candies and Japanese KitKats.
Note: This is a snack-based tour, designed to reflect how Tokyoites eat on the go. While there are two sit-down meals during the tour, most stops are for quick bites that showcase the city's everyday flavors. The specific dishes may vary depending on availability, seasonality, and dietary needs.
Pricing
All prices listed are in US$ and are the total price for the tour. Pricing is subject to a 4.8% credit card processing fee.
We do accept last-minute bookings so if you are already in Tokyo please contact us for our availability.
| 1-2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | 7 People | 8 People | |
| Nihonbashi meet-up | 5.5 Hours | 616 | 723 | 825 | 930 | 1034 | 1141 | 1232 |
| Hotel pick-up | 6.5 Hours | 660 | 765 | 869 | 975 | 1078 | 1183 | 1276 |
What’s Included: All food and specialty drinks listed on the tour are included in the price.
What’s Not Included: Two short subway rides during the tour - approx. US$3 per person.
Children: Under 12s are not included in the pricing table. Children under 5 join for free. Children aged 6–11 incur a small surcharge of US$50 per child. All other pricing remains the same.
Food Stops: On rare occasions, a scheduled stop may be closed. In this case, we’ll provide a high-quality replacement.
Good to Know
Private Experience: This is a private tour just for you and your chosen travel companions. No other guests will join your group.
Group Size: We can accommodate up to 8 people. Children aged 5 and under join for free; a small surcharge applies to guests aged 6–11. If you are a larger group (up to 14 people), we can still accommodate you, but we may have to adapt the tour a little.
Tour Duration: 5.5 hours (or 6.5 hours with hotel pickup).
Start Time & Availability: Choose a start time between 11.30 am and 2:00 pm if we meet you in Nihonbashi and between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm if we meet you at your hotel. Available 7 days per week; Monday to Sunday.
Meeting Point: Nihonbashi Station (Exit B12), or your hotel lobby if you’ve selected the pickup option. Full details are provided upon booking.
Finish Point: The tour ends in Akihabara, or at your hotel (on request).
Walking Requirements: Expect to walk around 6.5km (4 miles). We can adapt the route or use taxis if needed—just let us know in advance. Taxi costs are not included.
Transport Costs: We’ll take two short subway rides during the tour (approx. US$3). Please bring small change or a travel card for your transport fares.
Dietary Restrictions: This tour includes a wide variety of traditional foods and snacks. It’s not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, though pescatarians can be accommodated. Gluten-free guests will need to skip several dishes. If you’re unsure whether this tour suits your needs, please ask.
Children on Tour: We love welcoming families! This tour is kid-friendly, and we adapt our storytelling to engage younger guests. Please note it’s a full-day walking tour, so consider how your child may cope with the pace.
Weather Policy: Tours run rain or shine—even in heavy rain—except under a Red Warning or Purple Emergency Warning from the Japan Meteorological Agency. For the latest information, visit the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
Language: All tours are conducted in English. Please enquire about the availability of our Portuguese-speaking guide.
Ready to book your Tokyo tours? Then use our secure online booking form to secure your ultimate Hello! Tokyo tours experience. If you can't find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us.
All pricing is in USD.
Please click on the Date that you would like to book and then select ‘hotel pick-up’ or ‘meet in Nihonbashi’ rate.