foodie Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Tokyo is full of amazing food, but when you have limited time to try everything, you want to be sure you’re making the most of it. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best food tours in Tokyo. Although food tours can seem pricey, you’ll save time looking up the best spots to eat, you’ll get a ton of food to make up for it, and you’ll even learn some cultural and historic background to make the experience more meaningful. From a tour of the original Tsukiji Fish Market to bar-hopping and family-friendly and vegan tours, here are 12 great ways to explore Tokyo’s food scene. 1. Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour Price: From Area: Tsukiji Duration: 3 hours It’s not just fish that's on offer at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. Walk through the lively market food stalls of the Outer Market, and taste everything from freshly-seared wagyu beef to premium tuna sashimi on this insightful tour. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history and culture of the Tsukiji area. Bring your walking shoes, and be prepared for a bit of day drinking, too! Note: The actual wholesale fish market, or Inner Market, with its world-famous tuna auction, relocated to the nearby Toyosu Market in 2018. 2. Kawaii Food Tour in Harajuku Price: From Area: Harajuku Duration: 3.5 hours Book online The cute pinks and pastel colors are everywhere in Harajuku, and that includes the food. Think pastel-colored cotton candy, animal cake pops, dessert crepes -- anything and everything cute, Harajuku has it. Though this fun Tokyo food tour is geared towards those with a sweet tooth, there are also savory dishes, too, complete with an okonomiyaki (savory pancake) lunch in an artsy restaurant. 3. Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku Price: From Area: Shinjuku Duration: 3 hours Visiting Japanese izakaya (local bars or pubs) is a must for any Tokyo traveler, but it can be tricky to find a good one on your own. Many of them are hidden in alleyways or areas you might not think to visit, so this intimate tour takes out the guesswork. Small izakaya are a great way to experience Japanese food and drink you won’t get elsewhere. This tour ensures you get a seat at the best spots in Shinjuku. 4. Ramen Tasting: Mini Bowl Ramen Tour Price: From Area: Multiple areas, starting in Shibuya Duration: 2-3 hours Ready for ramen? This soupy noodle dish can be very filling, so a ramen tour might seem somewhat ambitious. But Tokyo Ramen Tours has found a way around that, with six mini bowls of award-winning ramen. On this Tokyo food tour, you’ll walk between three different ramen spots in three different neighborhoods, while learning about both the history and modern world of ramen. You’ll realize just how different each bowl can be, and maybe find your new favorite style. The walks in between will make you feel like you’ve earned each one, too! 5. Tokyo West-Side Walking and Street Food Tour Price: From Area: Nakano and Koenji Duration: 2 hours While Tokyo has some great street food areas, the best spots can seem strangely hard to find. This tour takes you out of the crowded streets of Tokyo’s main tourist areas to Nakano and Koenji, for some more traditional tastes. From fluffy imagawayaki (traditional filled cakes) to freshly made shumai dumplings, get ready to walk up an appetite in these lesser-known spots. 6. Mochi and Traditional Sweets Making with Tea Ceremony Price: From Area: Meguro Duration: 2.5 hours Book online If you want a more hands-on experience, this family-friendly Japanese sweets class is a great way to let out your creative side. The instructor will guide you through every step of the process, from making the perfect rice dough to the fine techniques of decoration. Round off the day by tucking into your creation with a steaming bowl of matcha tea. 7. Asakusa Family-Friendly Tour: Sensoji, Nakamise, and Food Price: From (children are free) Area: Asakusa Duration: 4 hours Book online The downtown area of Asakusa is a popular place to get a taste of traditional Tokyo, in this case, literally. On this tour you’ll get to try a whole range of foods, from beef and tempura to snacks and desserts. During this family-friendly walking tour, you’ll also visit various important cultural and historic spots, including the iconic Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple. And if you have picky kids, there’s good news for you, because children can join for free. 8. Sumo Tournament, Chanko Nabe, and Culture in Ryogoku (Seasonal) Price: From (different seat packages available) Area: Ryogoku Duration: 8 hours Book online Although this full-day tour is a bit pricier than the others on our list, it’s not without good reason. The ticket includes seats to a live sumo match, with an expert guide. The tour starts with a stroll around the nearby shrines and sumo training stables, before filling you up with a traditional sumo hotpot known as chanko nabe. After that, it's time to sit back and watch some live sumo wrestling. Note: This tour is only available during the Grand Sumo Tournament season. Read more about how to see sumo in Tokyo. 9. Tokyo Ninja Food Experience Price: From Area: Asakusa Duration: 2 hours Book online Go on a secret mission to the Ninja House restaurant in Asakusa, on this family-friendly food experience. At the Ninja House, you’ll put on a ninja outfit and learn the ways of these ancient Japanese spies through ninja training and sword skills, before refuelling with a ninja-themed meal. You’ll also find options for various dietary requirements, such as vegan and halal meals. 10. Make Your Own Ramen and Gyoza in Asakusa Price: From Area: Asakusa Duration: 3 hours Book online There’s so much great ramen in Tokyo, it’s a shame you can’t take it all home. But this tour allows you to take home the skills to make it for yourself. The three-hour class is held at a venue on the historic Kappabashi Kitchen Street in Asakusa, and your cooking instructor will show you how to make everything from the ramen noodles themselves to a side dish of perfectly folded gyoza dumplings. 11. Vegan / Vegetarian Ramen Tour in Tokyo Price: From Area: Shibuya Duration: 2 hours Book online Although vegan and vegetarian options are growing in Tokyo, it can still be difficult to find a good bowl of plant-based ramen without going to a chain restaurant. But on this tour, you get to try four (bowls, that is)! The speciality food tour was created by Frank, a local ramen expert who eats an insane 300-400 bowls of ramen per year. His tour features two Hokkaido-style bowls of ramen and two modern fusions, and can also be made non-vegan for other friends to tag along. 12. Vegan and Gluten-free Trendy Walking Tour in Tokyo Price: From Area: Shibuya and Harajuku Duration: 5 hours Book online Explore the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku to try out some of the latest vegan treats in the capital. You'll start off with a visit to a vegan bistro, before hydrating with some fresh juice. Then walk around to explore the town, visiting some of the famous parks and working up an appetite for steaming vegan ramen. Finish it all off with a drink and a bite or two at a specialized vegan izakaya. Don’t worry, there will be sweets and snacks along the way, too! While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change.

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