4 Best Food Tours in Tokyo, Japan

Looking for the best food tours in Tokyo? I’ve got you covered. 

We’ve eaten our way through Tokyo tons of times, both on our own and with tours, but tours by far offer the best experience for first-time visitors. You get to meet locals with a guide, find hidden spots, and see a side of the city you would otherwise miss.

As avid foodies and lovers of all things Japan, we decided to make a list of our favorite food tours we’ve taken in Tokyo so you can make the most of your trip to this incredible city. All you need to do is quickly read about the tours below, pick your favorite, and you’re good to go.

1. Food Tour with a Local to Explore Tsukiji Market

If you want to see firsthand why Tokyo’s fish markets are famous around the world and taste some of the freshest seafood possible, there is no better tour than this. We loved this Tsukiji Fish Market tour because it gets you into the action with a guide who can explain everything that’s happening in real-time while you watch the city’s best chefs pick out fresh ingredients.

As one of Japan’s largest fish markets, Tsukiji is easily our favorite because of how chaotic it is. We recommend taking the 8:30 am option of this tour because it will have you there when things are in full swing. One of the highlights was watching a vendor filleting a massive tuna right in front of us! If you enjoy authentic demos, this tour is full of them and the best way to see it from a local perspective.

A majority of our time was spent in the lively Jogai (outer) and the old part of the market. We learned about the history of fish markets in Japan, watched people buy ingredients like octopus tentacles, and tried some snacks. Don’t worry, you won’t eat octopus tentacles! Depending on the season, you’ll eat a Japanese omelette made of fresh ingredients instead. 

Tsukiji Uogashi and the Tsukiji Fish Market are pretty much one and the same, and will be where you try some more delicious food like sushi or a fish bowl. There is nothing better than fresh sushi, especially when the ingredients were caught that morning! If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in heaven.

Related Read: Food’s just the beginning! Check out our guide on the best things to do in Tokyo here for more amazing experiences around the city.

2. Small Group Food Tour in Shinjuku District

Without a doubt, this food tour is one of the best ways to participate in Japan’s delicious food and drink culture. If you’re a foodie who loves hitting lesser-known spots, this tour is for you.

We love that this tour hits the ground running in one of our favorite food and drink areas of Tokyo, the Kabukicho District. The neon lights and packed alleyways are a sensory delight in themselves. We also liked that you spend a decent amount of your time in Kabukicho District, so you get to see some off-the-beaten-path areas other tours don’t explore.

The first two restaurants involved several rounds of sake and some delicious yakitori (chicken) skewers, dumplings, sushi, and other staple Japanese foods. But our favorite dish of the night was something we had never had, okonomiyaki. Think savory pancake with various meat and vegetable toppings, it was incredible! We always appreciate it when a tour surprises us with something we haven’t seen anywhere else.

The evening continued with a quick walk down the WWII-era Omoide Yokocho alleyway, and our guide gave us a brief history lesson about the area. Not just a tour for foodies, but history lovers too!

The night ended in the Golden-Gai District, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. What we enjoyed, however, was the lack of other tourists at the restaurant we went to. It was super authentic! After some Japanese cocktails and a dessert of yuzu sorbet, we were stuffed. Be sure to come hungry when you book this tour! 

3. Night Time Foodie Tour in Shinjuku 

As someone who could eat sushi every day I loved that the first stop we made on this evening food tour had melt in your mouth nigiri. Sushi fans will be dreaming about this for a long time – I still am!

What made it even better was that the restaurant was hidden on the second floor of a chaotic alleyway we would have never found on our own. Seriously, though, if you’re a sushi fanatic, this tour starts with some of the best you’ll ever have – don’t miss it!  

As we followed our guide from the first restaurant to the second, he took us through Kabukicho District, one of Tokyo’s more wild areas known for its adult-oriented nightlife. It’s a neon-lit series of alleyways that looks like it’s out of an anime.

The second restaurant cooked up a full Yakiniku (grilled) Wagyu beef dinner, which Japan is famous for. They grill it right on the table in front of you while you enjoy a beverage of your choice, but I recommend sake! This restaurant was high-end, and I liked that this tour takes you to a fancier place to try this iconic meal.

Anyone who enjoys cinema’s biggest lizard will love seeing the famous Godzilla Head in Kabukicho as you walk to the last restaurant. Here you have a choice of another alcoholic beverage or a traditional Japanese dessert, depending on what you fancy. I was stuffed, so I went for a cocktail, but the pastries they served looked amazing!

Related Read: Make the most of your time in the city and follow our three-day Tokyo itinerary here for the best way to explore Tokyo.

4. Private Food Tour in Sangenjaya

A private food tour in Tokyo is one of the best ways to experience this country’s incredible cuisine. But a private food tour through an off-the-beaten-path neighborhood of Tokyo? Even better. If you’re a foodie who likes quality, quantity, and all of the perks that come with a private tour, look no further than this food tour in Sangenjaya.

The first stop of the night was a Japanese pub that specialized in grilled meat and sushi. We ate tons of other snacks, but I can’t even remember them all! Our guide, Simon, was fantastic and told us tons of stories about Tokyo while we munched on traditional Japanese food favorites.

A short walk through the lantern-lit alleyways, we found ourselves at the second restaurant of the night that had us making our own Japanese pancakes. While mine weren’t as great as the chef’s, it was still a super fun experience! All of this was accompanied by several rounds of sake and a few beers; I was feeling good! If you like bang for your buck (or sake for your buck) tours, this one is a heck of a deal.

The last stop of the night was a hidden standing bar that served killer seafood and plenty of beer. It was tiny, energetic, and the highlight of our evening. We made friends with everyone in the bar (with help from Simon), and they loved that we were partying with them at their local watering hole. This tour was a 10/10 night!

Related Read: If you’d like to try your hand at cooking up some tasty food, we picked out our favorite cooking classes in Tokyo for you to choose from!

Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan

Accommodation in Tokyo can be expensive – there’s no simple way to put it! However, there are a lot of great options in terms of quality, location, and amenities. To help narrow down your choices, I’ve picked out three fantastic stays for those looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget place to stay.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier – $$$

Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier is a luxury stay featuring rooms with balconies and city views. It’s conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, so you’re close to the trains and top sights, but it’s still a relaxing and quiet stay. The rooms are modern and spacious, and you can enjoy the on-site restaurant and gorgeous garden area.

Prices start around ¥37,500 ($250 USD) per night and can be booked online here.

OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka – $$

OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka has a fabulous location in the Minato area, and is close to the trains, so you can get anywhere in the city easily. The hotel itself is very comfortable for a moderate price point, offering double or twin rooms with cozy sitting nooks in each room. There are plenty of restaurants and convenience stores around the hotel, and you can walk to some of Tokyo’s top sights.

Rooms start around ¥22,500 ($150 USD) on average. You can check prices and reserve this stay online in advance. 

Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Karin – $

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay, the Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Karin is your best bet. Located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo, you’ll be near the top temples and activities, and a short walk to the train station. The rooms are basic, but clean, and provide a comfortable place to rest, and you can get a private room or a dorm room.

Private rooms start around ¥7,500 ($50 USD), and a dorm is about ¥3,000 ($20 USD) — not bad for Tokyo! Check availability and book this budget stay on Booking.com.

For more options, check out all of the hotels in Tokyo here!

Related Read: For more neighborhood details and hotel ideas, read our full guide on where to stay in Tokyo here!

Thanks for reading!

The food in Japan is SO good. I think that was one of the main reasons we first visited, and it definitely keeps us coming back. But if it’s your first time here, it can be overwhelming to know where to go and find authentic and tasty places to eat. Luckily, these food tours solve that problem! Any of the ones on our list is good for a great time and lots of yummy food.

For more unforgettable experiences and travel tips, check out all our blogs on Japan. We’ve criss-crossed the country to find all the activities you won’t want to miss.

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