PRIVATE TOKYO FOOD TOUR: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME THROUGH FOOD

Japanese cuisine (known in Japan as Washoku) has long been recognised as one of the finest cuisines of the world. The ingredients, preparation of and presentation of Japanese food is steeped in cultural and historical significance.

This Tokyo food tour takes you on a journey through time, through food! Spanning three geographical districts of Tokyo and three periods of time this food tour covers the foundation of Japanese food and cooking (the Edo period; 1603 to 1868), the most popular present-day foods in Japan and finishes in the future with some fun fusion twists on traditional flavours.

Visit Nihonbashi, Ginza / Tokyo Station and Akihabara. Enjoy 14 Japanese food tastings. Come hungry!

Private Tokyo food tours can be booked any day of the week except Sunday and can start any time between 11 am and 3 pm. Tokyo food tours start in the Nihonbashi area. Full details on the meeting point are provided upon booking. Alternatively, book an ‘extra hour for hotel pick up’ and have your guide come and collect you from your hotel lobby. Tours last 5.5 hours (or 6.5 hours with a pick up) and finish in Akihabara or back at your hotel.

Eat like a local on a food tour.
Culturally immersive experience.
Hotel pick-up available.

Over the course of this Tokyo food tour we will undertake an in-depth exploration of Japan’s food culture. Starting in Nihonbashi, in the past, we will look at key ingredients and flavours that underpin Japanese food. We will learn about Dashi, the stock that forms the base of many Japanese dishes. We will focus in on two key ingredients; Katsuobushi and Kelp. From there we will enjoy some traditional Japanese snacks that have been eaten for generations. Satsuma-age (fried fish cake), Amazake (a healthy fermented rice drink), Imo Kenpi (sweet potato chips) and Daifuku (glutinous rice mochi with a sweet filling). All of the shops that we have chosen have been carefully curated. All are over 100 years old, several date back to the Edo period itself!

From Nihonbashi we take a short subway ride through to present day. Arriving into Ginza we learn about how Japan industrialised after the war. With industrialisation came Salarymen and with Salarymen came Gado Shita’s (small bars and restaurants built under the railway tracks) to serve the working men before their commute home. We will eat and drink like Salarymen at an Izakaya (Japanese style pub) and noodle stall under the tracks. On our menu we have several common chicken dishes, a Sour (an alcoholic drink which is unique to Japan) and tempura soba or curry udon ( noodle soup dishes).

From the railway tracks of Ginza and Yurakcho we stroll to Tokyo Station calling in at the impressive International Forum Building on route. At Tokyo Station we will learn about gift-giving cultures and explore some foods eaten on bullet trains; a Fruits Sando (Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream).

One more short subway ride takes us into the future. Arriving in Akihabara, an area famous for its many electronics shops, Maid Cafes and Anime culture, we consider the future of food in Japan. We will be trying a selection of desserts which combine traditional foods or flavours with a modern fusion twist. In addition to our three fusion desserts, we will discuss Akihabara’s prominence in bringing new technology, ideas and subcultures to Japan. Join us on this gourmet tour of Japan.

All prices listed are in US$ and are the total price for the tour.
We do accept last-minute bookings so if you are already in Tokyo please contact us for our availability.

The price includes all of the food and speciality drinks listed. Prices listed do not include the costs of transport. We will take two short subway rides during the tour which you will need to pay for yourself (approx. US$3 per person). This private food tour of Tokyo is just for you and your friends/family. No one else will join your tour. You can bring a maximum of 8 people on your tour. Under 12’s are not included in the pricing table. There is a small surcharge of US$50 for anyone aged between 6 and 11 years old. Those aged 5 years and under are free of charge. Extra hours are US$44 per hour for the entire group. On certain days some of the food stops might be closed. In these cases, we substitute a replacement.

Throughout the tour, you will discover the histories and stories behind the foods that we eat, as well as the restaurants that you eat them in. This tour will give you a solid understanding of what it means to ‘eat like a local’ in Japan.

This is a walking tour and you should expect to walk about 6.5 km or 4 miles in total over the 5.5 hours. If you have walking difficulties we can cut out the walking and take a taxi. Any taxi fares would be payable by yourself. The tour route and pace can be adapted to suit your needs.

LANGUAGE: English.

LENGTH: 5.5 hours if we meet you in Nihonbashi or 6.5 hours if we meet you at your hotel lobby.

STARTING TIME: Anytime between 11.30 am and 2:00 pm if we meet you in Nihonbashi. Anytime between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm if we meet you at your hotel. Available 6 days per week; Monday to Saturday.

STARTING POINT: Nihonbashi Subway Station. Exit B12. Directions, maps and pictures for the meeting point are sent upon booking. Or your hotel lobby.

FINISHING POINT: Akihabara (instructions on how to get back to your hotel or to your next activity will be provided by your guide), or your hotel (on request).

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable shoes.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: This tour is not suitable for Vegans or Vegetarians. If you are a Pescatarian we WILL be able to accomodate you. If you are a Vegetarian or Vegan we strongly suggest taking a non-food tour. That said we have taken people on the tour who have not been able to eat many of the foods and they have still enjoyed the tour as there is a lot of cultural and historical information. If you are gluten-free please be aware that there will be several foods that you will not be able to eat.

CHILDREN: Children are very welcome on our private Tokyo food tours and we guarantee to keep them engaged and make it fun for them too. Please do bear in mind that it is a fully packed day which they might find tiring if they are suffering with jet lag.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: All tours take place as scheduled (including in heavy rain) except under a Red Warning or Purple Emergency Warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. For up to date information see the Japan Meteorological Agency website.

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.