Taking a food tour in Tokyo is essential for any trip to Japan. With more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the world, Tokyo is the world’s culinary capital.
For alternative Tokyo gourmet travel experiences, check out:
- Tsukiji Outer Market Tours – experience Tokyo’s atmospheric old fish market district
- Toyosu Market and Tuna Auction Tours – visit the world’s biggest seafood market
- Tokyo Ramen Tours – ramen tasting, eat like a local, vegan and luxury Wagyu beef experiences
- Sake Tasting and Brewery Tours – drink and learn about Japan’s famous sake
- Tokyo Cooking Classes – discover washoku (Japanese cuisine) hands-on
I’ve selected the 12 best Tokyo food tours; let’s dive straight in!
Disclosure: This page contains commercial links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I’ve done myself or genuinely believe are worth your time.
1. Eat and drink like a local – Ueno
I paid for this tour myself
I highly recommend this Ueno food tour for a fun, local-style night out in one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods. The evening starts with a bang over a shot of Japanese plum liqueur, which sets the tone for the night.
From seasonal sashimi and adventurous dishes to a hearty closing bowl of ramen, with plenty of drinks in between, you’re going to love it.
It’s the original and most highly acclaimed food tour in Ueno. If you want a night out as the Japanese do, without a doubt, it’s the right one for you.
Neighbourhood
Ueno
I love Ueno’s vibrant, retro, and down-to-earth vibe, which attracts a diverse mix of locals, salarymen, tourists, and anyone drawn to budget-friendly izakayas and tachinomiya (standing bars).
It has the bustle of a major transport hub and market district, but also the more relaxed, unpretentious feel that comes from its grounded working-class roots and rich cultural side.
Time of day and duration
3pm or 7pm for around three hours.
Atmosphere
Our guide, Shota, did an excellent job of tapping into Ueno’s lively character while keeping the tour relaxed as we wove through side streets and back alleys.
Even in such a busy part of the city, the evening still had an old Tokyo feel and never felt rushed. There were hardly any tourists around, which added to its authenticity.
Food and drink
The food and drink throughout the night were delicious and plentiful. From seafood and sake to skewers and shochu, it covered all the bases of a typical night out in Japan.
Our first stop was a lively izakaya, where we tried four dishes:
- Sashimi boat – an impressive selection of around 10 kinds, including some of my top favourites: hamachi (yellowtail), hotate (scallop) and otoro (fatty tuna)
- Hokke (grilled atka mackerel)
- Niku dofu (simmered pork and tofu)
- Nasu no agebitashi (fried aubergine in dashi)
Me enjoying a classic Tokyo-style shochu and Hoppy cocktail on the tour in Ueno, Tokyo
Overflowing boxed sake, a traditional gesture of hospitality in Japan – © Chris P King / Food Tours Japan
For our second stop, Shota took us to a ‘mystery skewers’ restaurant, where we tried foods commonly eaten in Japan but adventurous for most visitors, including umeboshi (pickled plums) and natto (fermented soybeans).
The main event was chicken and pork horumon (offal), with a guessing game about which part of the animal we were eating. Don’t worry, there were also more familiar cuts of yakitori (chicken skewers) and beef.
Finally, we had a wonderful bowl of tori chicken ramen with a thick but smooth, aromatic broth rich in umami. I’ve eaten plenty of ramen in Japan, and this was the real deal.
Drinks flowed freely throughout the night, and I enjoyed the full range. The opening umeshu (plum liqueur), served in a ceramic-style sake cup you could take home, was a nice touch. I also had two cocktails made with shochu (a Japanese distilled spirit), a generous helping of sake, and a beer.
What stood out
What stood out most was how well the tour was put together and how it offered more than just food and drink. Shota was an outstanding guide and shared useful insights into Japanese etiquette, local customs, and Ueno itself, which added depth to the whole evening.
Good to know
Japan has a nose-to-tail eating culture, so the mystery dishes at stop two may not be for everyone, but I recommend trying them.
How the tour unfolds
We visited two izakayas, one tachinomiya, and a ramen restaurant in the back streets around Ueno’s Ameyoko Market area. Everything ran smoothly, with short walks between places and enough time to soak up the atmosphere.
My take
Eat and drink like a local in Ueno is my favourite food tour in Tokyo and the one I’d most readily recommend if you want an authentic Japanese night out. For me, it was the most memorable and best put-together experience on this page.
2. Shinjuku Food Tour with 15 Dishes at 4 Eateries
My experience on this Shinjuku food tour was truly exceptional. If you’re a food enthusiast looking to explore unique Japanese dishes and drinks, this tour is a must. It also offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and vibrant present of the Shinjuku area.
I sampled far more than the 15 dishes and 4 drinks advertised. The variety of dishes and local specialities was a surprise, and despite living in Japan for a decade, I learnt a lot.
3. Best of Shibuya Walking Food Tour Tokyo
Discover Japanese cuisine and culture on this food walking tour of Tokyo’s Shibuya district. Savour classic regional dishes and street food from throughout Japan.
Get off the beaten track and experience Shibuya’s food and drink scene like a local.
- Eat Kobe wagyu beef skewers, okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), assorted sushi and dessert
- Explore Shibuya’s hidden back alleys and visit restaurants away from tourists
- Wander through a department store food hall and be amazed at the variety of cuisine
- Sample delicacies from throughout Japan, including Osaka and Hiroshima
- Family-friendly Tokyo food tour starting at 1 pm or 4 pm
- Finish your trip with a newfound appreciation of Japan’s gastronomic culture
- Includes: 10 dishes at five food stops, one drink and a walking tour
- Location: Shibuya
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, 1pm and 4pm
4. Tokyo Ramen Tasting Tour
Savour Tokyo’s tastiest award-winning ramen on this tour with a local ramen expert. Try six different styles of ramen soups and sauces.
Ramen lovers will discover why it tastes so much better in Japan than your own country!
- Visit three ramen shops – choose Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ueno
- Choose six mini bowls of ramen (around 1/4 to 1/3 of a standard ramen bowl) from 11 options
- Discover delicious light fish, curry and tonkotsu (pork bone broth) style soups
- Learn about the origin, types and preparation of ramen
- Eat ramen like a local with flavours you’ll never get at home
- Includes: 6 mini bowls of ramen and a walking tour
- Location: Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ueno
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, afternoon or evening (times vary)
Do you love ramen? Of course, you do! Check out my hand-picked selection of Tokyo’s best ramen tours.
5. Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Discover two of Japan’s most iconic dishes and Tokyo’s food and drink culture on this exceptional tour. You’ll experience a different side of Shinjuku’s entertainment district, from hidden restaurants to classic spots.
Indulge in sushi and wagyu beef on this fun, five-star-rated Tokyo foodie experience.
- Savour a delicious eight-piece set of seasonal sushi prepared omakase (I’ll leave it up to you) style by a professional chef
- Enjoy delightful cuts of Wagyu beef and learn the art of cooking Japanese-style yakiniku (grilled meat) BBQ
- Learn about Tokyo’s culinary culture and get travel tips from fun and friendly guides
- Experience Shinjuku’s vibrant Kabukicho red-light district for a drink or dessert
- Vegetarian course available when booking
- Includes: 8 pieces of seasonal sushi, a full yakiniku dinner, 2-3 drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), 1 dessert and a guided walking tour
- Location: Shinjuku
- Duration and start time: 3.5 hours, 6pm
6. Tokyo Private & Personalised Local Food Tour
Immerse yourself in a three-hour Tokyo food extravaganza with a local who knows the scene inside out. Explore different types of Japanese and local cuisine, as well as places to eat.
Flexible start times and meeting points for a tailored Tokyo food tour to suit your needs.
- Discover where the locals eat at markets, shops, street food stalls and restaurants
- Learn about Tokyo’s food and drink culture
- Taste new Japanese dishes and regional specialities
- Get insider recommendations on where to eat your favourite Japanese food
- Try unique flavoured Japanese soft drinks from a vending machine or convenience store
- Includes: A private and personalised experience with 8-10 dishes and a walking tour
- Location: Nakano – hotel pick-up can be arranged
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible starting from 8am to 4pm
7. Shinbashi Tokyo Food Tour at Night
Experience a night of delicious food as you hang out with the locals in Shinbashi. Walk around a maze of narrow streets famous for its izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and tachinomiya (standing bars).
Get off the beaten tourist track and discover one of Tokyo’s best evening food and drink spots.
- Stroll around a maze of backstreets, sampling tasty food along the way
- Hang out with the locals as they relax after work
- Try foods like sashimi (raw fish), gyoza (dumplings), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and more
- Savour local speciality yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
- Includes: Dinner (many dishes), sake-tasting experience and a walking tour
- Location: Shinbashi
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, 4.30pm
8. Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
Enjoy a fantastic night of food and drink in Shinjuku as you explore izakaya (Japanese-style pub) culture. See old and new Tokyo on this fun-seekers food tour.
Get your Japan trip off to a fantastic start with an introduction to Japan’s wonderful izakayas!
- Eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) at Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane), an old-style Tokyo alley
- Discover Tokyo’s local culinary and nightlife scene
- Try delicious Japanese food and meet new friends
- Visit three places (izakayas and bars) and see Shinjuku’s neon lights
- Includes: Dinner (in dishes), 3 drinks and a walking tour
- Location: Shinjuku and Kabukicho
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible between 5pm and 7pm
9. Shibuya Bar Hopping Night Food Tour in Shibuya
Enjoy a food tour in Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s coolest and liveliest districts. Explore hidden alleys and visit local izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) and bars.
Meet new friends over Japanese cuisine and drinks on this fun food tour.
- Discover Shibuya after dark, including the nightlife street Dogenzaka
- Savour Japanese foods, like meat sushi, teppanyaki (grilled meat) and steak at Niku Yokocho (Meat Alley)
- Enjoy drinking beer, sake and whisky with the locals at izakayas and bars (including all-you-can-drink at one venue)
- Relax and have fun while your guide helps you select from a recommended menu
- Includes: Dinner (from 3 places), four drinks + all-you-can-drink stop, photos, and a walking tour
- Location: Shibuya
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, 6pm or 7pm
10. Shinjuku Golden Gai Food Tour
Enjoy a night of classic Tokyo cuisine and fun at Shinjuku’s best night spots. From old Tokyo alleyways to huge neon lights, discover why Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most famous entertainment districts.
Feast on fantastic food at izakayas (Japanese-style bars) on this highly-rated Tokyo walking night tour.
- Discover Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) and eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
- Visit Kabukicho red-light district and learn about the area
- Savour tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen
- Explore Golden Gai with the world’s highest number of bars per square metre
- Includes: Four food stops (including sushi, ramen and yakitori), one drink and a walking tour
- Location: Shinjuku, Kabukicho and Golden Gai
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, 5pm
11. Shinjuku Drinks and Neon Nights Food Tour
Explore Shinjuku’s restaurant and bar scene and entertainment on this Tokyo night food tour. Visit an izakaya (Japanese-style pub), an old-style Tokyo lane and a tiny bar at Golden Gai.
Enjoy an evening of snacking and drinking around Shinjuku’s top spots with a local guide.
- Join the locals for happy hour at an izakaya
- Stroll through Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane), an alleyway famous for its yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
- Discover Shinjuku’s red-light district, Kabukicho, with its colourful neon lights
- Drink at a classic Japanese-style tiny bar at Golden Gai
- Includes: Skewered dishes, two drinks, and a walking tour
- Location: Shinjuku, Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, Golden Gai
- Duration and start time: 2.5 hours, 5.30pm
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12. Tokyo After 5 Food Tour
Combine Tokyo’s delicious cuisine with cultural delights on this night food tour of Japan’s captivating capital. Discover the city’s culinary delights as you delve into restaurants and bars with your specialist gastronomic guide.
Savour local favourites and Japanese food on this highly-rated tour.
- Eat yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) from a street stall
- Enjoy monjayaki (savoury pancake) in the neighbourhood where it’s from
- Visit a confectionery shop in Ginza and try a sweet
- Wash down your food with Japanese sake or beer
- Learn about Tokyo’s eclectic food culture from an expert guide
- Includes: Assorted chicken skewers, savoury pancake, sweets, two drinks, public transport and walking tour
- Duration and start time: 3 hours, 5pm
- Location: Ginza, Tsukishima and Yurakucho
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Discovering washoku through travel in Japan. Sharing the best Japanese food and drink experiences. Living in Osaka. Join me on my journey!
