What to eat in Tokyo – A Food Tour to try it All!

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I was so excited about all the food in Tokyo when planning my Japan trip. But to be honest, my excitement quickly turned into dread when I saw the prices and read the booking requirements and reviews of long lines. How and where was I going to find the best street food in Tokyo, Japan? I quickly realized a food tour in Tokyo was the way to go. 

Admittedly I wouldn’t be able to afford more than one so I searched the web for the best food tour in Tokyo to make it count. Finally, I came across Arigato Travel and knew I hit culinary gold. In case you wonder what food tour to book in Tokyo, look no further. 

Why do a Food Tour Tokyo?

I travel to eat and make no secret of it. I think many people do and especially if you are coming to Japan chances are – you like Japanese food. 

But regardless of where you start your trip – Tokyo, Kyoto, or Japan’s kitchen, Osaka – sometimes the food options can get overwhelming. Especially if you don’t know Japanese and are new to the local dining etiquette. Even making a reservation can be tricky. And don’t even get me started about the Japanese love of queuing for a restaurant. 

This is where Tokyo food tours can help. You are literally hiring someone to feed you. And not only feed you but show you the ropes. Where are the best places for ramen, sushi, udon & yakitori? And where can you find the things you didn’t even know you wanted to eat? 

A Tokyo food tour is not just a dinner but a curated dining experience. You are paying for your meal, yes, but also for someone’s expertise in showing you the best of the best, and a guide to walk and talk you through it. Guaranteed no queuing involved!

And since food is always a cultural experience, you are learning more about Japanese culture as you go and chew along. 

Book a food tour in Tokyo

The biggest plus of a Food Tour in Tokyo

If you are a solo traveler like myself, a food tour in Tokyo (or anywhere else for this matter) is a great way to meet new people. People that you already have something in common with – a love for local food. And it is a great way to avoid the dreaded dinner for one. Especially in Japan where, as I learned the hard way, you sometimes cannot make dinner reservations for one, this is huge! 

It is also great if you want to explore Tokyo nightlife and bar culture but don’t want to stand around alone clutching the karaoke mic, singing ‘All by myself’. 

Need more tips to eat on your own? Read all about dinner for one when traveling!

Tokyo Foodie Tours WITH ARIGATO TRAVEL

Where can you find the best street food in Tokyo? Probably Omoide Yokocho is the place that comes up first. The “Memory Lane” is a well-known food street in Tokyo and is famous for its izakayas, Japanese bars where you can get pub fare. The izikayas here have been around for decades and many still serve original dishes from post-war times. 

If you are on your own or it is your first time in Tokyo, visiting here and ordering can be especially intimidating. But it is also a quintessential Tokyo foodie experience you don’t want to miss.

With that, I decided to do the Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai Food Tour with Arigato Travel. This Tokyo food tour starts at Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku where your guide will tell you about the history of the street and take you to one of the best izikayas. Yakitori (skewers) and hot sake (or cold beer) are on the menu. 

You will also get a little introduction to Japanese food etiquette – important for your onward travels. 

After we walked off some of the yakitori and went to get some authentic sushi. Here we could practice our new vocabulary with the chefs behind the counter. We also got a more in-depth introduction on how to eat Japanese sushi. If you struggle with chopsticks, you are in luck – Japanese eat nigiri by hand!

Getting slightly fuller it was now time for a stroll through Kabukicho. This is Asia’s largest redlight district but as un-seedy as it gets. For someone coming from Hamburg, I was almost shocked by the lack of posters with boobs, not to mention sex workers. While I wouldn’t be scared to walk here on my own, it was definitely interesting to have a guide to put the experience into context and give background information. 

Our final food stop was an original ramen restaurant. Here we learned that good ramen restaurants need to be stinky and got to try a bowl too. Honestly, if you are a ramen fan you probably won’t find better. And needless to say, it is one of those places you will never find on your own. 

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Tips for Japan First-Timers

To finish the tour we set off to Golden Gai. The area reminded me of Diagon Alley but instead of magic, it is filled with over 200 tiny bars. Some will only fit a handful of people and are quite magical too. This is one of the areas in Tokyo to go out and a fun place for karaoke. That said, it may not look it but is quite fancy and drinks are pricey. It was here that I discovered a newfound love for pickled plum wine on the rocks, also included in my tour.

Arigato Japan has a total of 23 food tours in Tokyo. Some have a theme (like cherry blossom tours or ramen only tours) while others focus on a specific area. There are also options for morning, lunch, and dinner tours. 

A great add-on for the evening tours – some allow you to book a private karaoke booth after the tour ends. Your guide will take you and may even sing for you if you ask nicely.

Book your Arigato Japan Food Tour

HOW MUCH IS A FOOD TOUR IN Tokyo?

My Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai Food Tour was 23,800 yen (xx), and most food tours in Tokyo from Arigato around the same price. There is a morning ramen tour for less than 15,000 and a couple of tours centered around alcoholic beverages which are more. 

Food tours in Tokyo include all your food and drinks according to the itinerary as well as your guide. Most of them are walking tours. While you may wonder about the rather steep price, remember that you are paying not just for your dishes but rather for a curated experience. You are truly being shown the best of the best and hidden gems in Tokyo that you would never find on your own. 

Why choose ARIGATO JAPAN FOOD TOURS

Finding a food tour can be overwhelming, to say the least. I have done quite a few and I know what I like and don’t like. My choice for a Tokyo food tour had added pressure as they are expensive. At least compared to many other places where I have done food tours before like Hanoi, Bangkok, Marrakech, and even Singapore. 

I was fine to pay more but I wanted to make sure that I found the perfect tour. I finally came across Arigato Travel, a company that is an expert in Japan food tours. They are offering tours in various cities around the country but are exclusive to Japan. 

Book your Arigato Japan Food Tour

Their tours are small group tours with no more than 8 participants and they also offer private ones. Those are perfect if you are already traveling with your family or a group of friends. They are also a better choice if you are taking kids as some tours that include alcoholic beverages are for over 20. 

Which Tokyo food tour should you choose? This might be tricky yet again because one thing they don’t do – average, run-of-the-mill tours. I think it will depend on whether it is your first, second, or third trip to Japan and what your food and dining preferences are. Just have a look at their website and get inspired. You may end up choosing more than one – don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Check out my Hiroshima Food Tour with Arigato Travel