Description - What to expect

Take a 3-hour Tokyo food tour and discover the countless alleys, twists, and turns of Shinbashi, the place where most of the white-collar workers of Tokyo eat their lunch. Navigate through rustic izakayas and abundant food stalls, and explore the most tucked-away places to grab some of the most satisfying food on the planet.



Meet your guide outside Shinbashi Station, and begin your Tokyo food tour by entering the chasm of eateries overrun on a nightly basis by the working class of Japan. You are instantly surrounded by thousands of salarymen and office ladies descending upon their favorite izakaya bar to grab a quick bite and cold beer before taking the long train ride home.



Not far into your Tokyo food tour journey stop for local bites and an introduction to the drinking and dining culture in Tokyo. Once you are finished with your grilled treats, continue your way through a maze of local eateries, heading to another place that specializes in Oden. This Japanese soul food consists of a variety of ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, vegetables, and fish cakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth. Oden is a standard of Japanese home cooking that just cannot be missed. At this small eatery, you can also get a feeling of decades of history in the Shinbashi neighborhood. Stop by and rub the belly of the local Mascot Tanuki (Japanese Raccoon) for good luck and find out why he is the patron saint of restaurants across Japan.



Next up, Skewers! Yes, you will get to try Yakitori- world-famous Japanese meat and veggie BBQ skewers grilled over charcoal in a classic, Shinbashi- Under the Tracks- restaurant. Feel the energy of the after-work crowd as the busy trains pass by overhead. Unlike foreign barbecue, Yakitori is not marinated. It is seasoned once it is done cooking. Street stalls and down-to-the-earth establishments will have their own specialties, either preparing it tare (sweet soy sauce) or shio (salted).



Next to your Tokyo food tour move on to indulge in a perfect, rich, savory, bowl of RAMEN! These noodles are an adaptation of Chinese soupy noodles in a broth that first hit Japan in the late nineteenth century. It wasn’t until the end of World War II that Ramen became cultishly beloved when repatriated Japanese soldiers brought home with them a love for noodles they had tasted overseas. Many postwar families set up ramen businesses to support themselves, often cooking from pushcarts. From there, ramen quickly evolved and acquired regional characteristics.



Finally, try a traditional Japanese dessert called Taiyaki, a fish-shaped sweet food with choices of cream or azuki (bean paste) filling. You will have the opportunity to watch this being cooked in front of you. This is one of the best teriyaki places in Tokyo! We assure you that by the end of this eating adventure you will be full!