Tasting Tokyo: The 10 Best Food Tours in Japan's Capital

Best Food Tours in Tokyo: Going Beyond Ramen & Sushi

Attention, foodies! Here's a call to ditch being touristy and try exciting new things.

Tokyo's got a flavour feast to tantalise your taste buds whilst giving you priceless lessons in culture!

Food tours in Tokyo are a dream come true, with melt-in-your-mouth sushi, soul-warming bowls of ramen, and cotton-soft mochi.

Fab food, hidden gems, intriguing alleys, and locals who will be happy to share amazing local stories with you; what more does a travelling foodie need?

So hop on and choose from our top 10 picks of the best food tours in Tokyo, Japan. Bon appetit!

1. Izakaya Tour in Shinjuku

Shinjuku has hidden izakayas (vibrant Japanese pubs serving small plates of food and alcohol).

On this tour, you'll snack your way through bustling streets and hit two local favourites that are a mix of trendy and traditional for various Japanese delights while interacting with local foodies.

Finally, at three top izakayas, you'll enjoy a mouthwatering feast of seven dishes, paired with beer, sake, or your choice of beverage while soaking in the electrifying atmosphere of Kabukicho.

Route:

• All of Shinjuku's busy streets

• Kabukicho town

Can't Miss: Izakaya-style dining with stunning views of the neon town - Kabukicho

2. Tokyo All-Star Food Tour

This is your chance to delve into the hidden culinary delights of Ginza. Your guide will lead you through a labyrinth of bustling Yokocho alleys that appear to be happily stuck in the 1970s.

Passing through the neon-lit main streets, you'll dive into izakayas that tourists often miss.

Prepare for an explosion of flavours as you savour Ginza's hidden gems — from traditional delicacies to modern delights. We bet you've never seen this side of Ginza.

Route: 

• Clock tower at Ginza Wako

• Gado Shita restaurant district

• Yokocho alleyways

Timings/Duration: 3:45 pm to 7 pm

Can't Miss: The restaurant district of Gado Shita

3. Street Food Tour in Shibuya

On this three-hour tour, you'll discover culinary pearls beyond the flashing lights and busy streets.

You'll delve into the local gourmet scene to satisfy your taste buds with delicacies like melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef, savoury Kansai Okonomiyaki pancakes, and the unique "Kare Pan" fusion (a Japan-only mashup challenging to find anywhere else)!

Top it all off with a trip to a Depachika, a treasure trove of underground food markets loaded with food gems.

Route:

• The Wall Mural of Hachiko in Shibuya

• Shibuya local shops tour

• End at Shibuya Depachika

Timing/Duration: 3:45 pm to 7 pm

Can't Miss: Shibuya Depachika - the underground food market

4. Family Food Tour in Asakusa and Sensoji

Embark on an adventure through Tokyo's Asakusa district - a treasure trove of traditional Japanese foods like yakitori, tempura, teriyaki, etc.

On this Asakusa food tour, you also learn the secrets of navigating menus and ordering like a pro while enjoying a delicious lunch.

Immerse yourself in the charm of "shitamachi" - Tokyo's historic downtown areas, and conclude your journey at a popular matcha dessert shop.

Route:

• Asakusa Culture and Tourism Centre

• Namise street

• Sensoji temple

• Asakusa

Timing/Duration: 9 am to 8 pm

Can't Miss: Delicious matcha-topped desserts

5. West-Side Street Food Walking Tour

This tour is the best way to discover popular local food haunts in the neighbourhoods of Nakano and Koenji.

Your guide will take you through twisting alleyways, alternative subcultures and casual eateries full of character.

Later, you walk the nostalgic shotengai and rowdy yokocho against the calm of residential backstreets.

Along the way, you will also get insider travel tips from your guide. The tour ends with a drink at an authentic izakaya.

Route:

• JR Nakano Station

• Bustling alleyways of Nakano

• Koenji

• The tour ends back at JR Nakan Station

Timing/Duration: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm; 3 pm to 5 pm

Can't Miss: Local eats, music and vintage clothes in Koenji

6. Tokyo Hidden Gems Food Tour in Shinbashi

There are no fancy high-rises and local tourist traps; this tour is no touristy afternoon stroll.

Here, you dive headfirst into Shinbashi, Tokyo's hidden alleyways, where real magic happens.

And by that, we mean belly-filling bites, ice-cold drinks, and a taste of the city's soul at five popular spots.

Tiny izakayas overflowing with laughter, standing bars where sake spills over good stories, and secret backstreets with more history than a museum!

Route:

• Hibiya Exit at Shinbashi Station

• All of Shinbashi streets

• Stop at top spots for yakitori, ramen, taiyaki

Timing/Duration: 4:15 pm to 7:30 pm

Can't Miss: Traditional Japanese dessert, taiyaki

7. Tavern and Ramen Tour

This tour will take you to Ueno, a less touristy spot where the locals hang out; the staff speaks Tokyo-lingo and the atmosphere's unfiltered Japan.

The place is much less crowded than Shibuya and Shinjuku. You will visit four restaurants and taverns to sample sashimi, grilled fish and yakitori and taste at least five unique Japanese alcoholic drinks in a Japanese tavern.

You will end the tour at a locally-loved ramen shop.

Route: 

• Atré Ueno Station

• Ueno District, for secret Japanese taverns

• Popular Ramen Shop

• Okachimachi Station

Timing/Duration: 7 pm to 10 pm

Can't Miss: Drinks in a Japanese tavern

8. Breakfast Tour at Tsukiji Outer Market

This 3-hour morning tour will take you to Tsukiji Outer Market, which locals call the best food area in Tokyo.

Despite the dozens of wholesale fish vendors, this place is home to restaurants and market shops, too.

You can enjoy some of the best artisanal coffees here, explore a whopping 65 fish stalls, and try traditional sashimi.

This has to be the best Tsukiji fish market food tour. Later, you also visit a 300-year-old shrine, then sample wagashi (atraditional Japanese sweet) and tea at an imperial garden.

Route:

• Turret Coffee Shop at Tsukiji Station

• Tsukiji Outer Market area

• Local Shrine visit

Timing/Duration: 8:15-8:30 am to 11:30 am

Can't Miss: Freshly cooked Tsukiji seafood breakfast with green tea

9. Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour

Hop on this Tokyo ramen tour, which will take you through three award-winning shops. You can savour six unique mini bowls specially crafted for this tour - like gourmet tastings of ramen perfection.

From the rich history of this beloved dish to the secrets of its broth and noodles, this multi-award-winning tour dives deep into every slurp-worthy detail.

With vibrant guides and captivating visuals, you'll be a ramen master by the end of your noodle journey!

Can't Miss: Lip-smacking variety of Ramen

10. Fruit Picking Tour at Mount Fuji

Hopping on this super fun bus will take you past pretty waterfalls and forests until you're practically kissing fluffy white clouds at Mt. Fuji's 5th Station!

After this, you're in for a huge garden with the freshest and the yummiest berries and peaches to gobble on all you can!

Here, you may pick as many seasonal fruits as you can. Later, buckle up for a sky ride on the Mt. Fuji Ropeway.

Route:

• Shinjuku LOVE Object

• Yamanashi Farm

• Oshi Park

• Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

• Mt. Fuji 5th Station

• Shinjuku Station

Timing/Duration: 8 am to 6:30 pm

Can't Miss: The highlight - picking fruits, of course!

Food Tours Unveil a Hidden Tokyo!

Tokyo's culinary tapestry unfolds street by street, bite by bite. Each dish is a symphony of flavour and artistry.

As you navigate bustling lanes and bylanes, following your guides and your noses leading to hidden gems tucked away in unassuming storefronts, you end up not only discovering new flavours but also making new friends!

Every vendor, every chef, and every tour participant has a story to tell.

So, join the best food tours in Tokyo, Japan and explore so much beyond just ramen and sushi!

Commonly Asked Questions 

How long do food tours typically last?

Most food tours in Tokyo are for 2 to 4 hours, with some shorter or longer options available.

Do I need to book in advance?

Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for popular tours and during peak seasons.

Are the Tokyo food tours available in English?

Most guides in Tokyo speak English fluently.

What should I wear on a food tour in Tokyo?

Dress comfortably and casually, taking into consideration the weather. Ensure that you can walk comfortably throughout the tour duration.

What is the best time to visit Tokyo?

Typically, March to May and October to November are the best months to visit Tokyo given the pleasant weather and great views.