Tokyo food tour: Japanese cuisine in 3 districts of the city

Minimum age: 6

Highlights

• 14 Japanese food tastings
• Nihonbashi, Ginza, Tokyo Station and Akihabara
• 3 time periods: 17th to 19th century, present and future

All about the trip

Japanese cuisine (known in Japan as Washoku) has long been recognised as one of the finest cuisines of the world. The ingredients, preparation of and presentation of Japanese food is steeped in cultural and historical significance.

This Tokyo food tour takes you on a journey through time, through food! Spanning three geographical districts of Tokyo and three periods of time this food tour covers the foundation of Japanese food and cooking (the Edo period; 1603 to 1868), the most popular present-day foods in Japan and finishes in the future with some fun fusion twists on traditional flavours.

Visit Nihonbashi, Ginza / Tokyo Station and Akihabara. Enjoy 14 Japanese food tastings. Come hungry!

Over the course of this Tokyo food tour we will undertake an in-depth exploration of Japan’s food culture. Starting in Nihonbashi, in the past, we will look at key ingredients and flavours that underpin Japanese food. We will learn about Dashi, the stock that forms the base of many Japanese dishes. We will focus in on two key ingredients; Katsuobushi and Kelp. From there we will enjoy some traditional Japanese snacks that have been eaten for generations. Satsuma-age (fried fish cake), Amazake (a healthy fermented rice drink), Imo Kenpi (sweet potato chips) and Daifuku (glutinous rice mochi with a sweet filling). All of the shops that we have chosen have been carefully curated. All are over 100 years old, several date back to the Edo period itself!

From Nihonbashi we take a short subway ride through to present day. Arriving into Ginza we learn about how Japan industrialised after the war. With industrialisation came Salarymen and with Salarymen came Gado Shita’s (small bars and restaurants built under the railway tracks) to serve the working men before their commute home. We will eat and drink like Salarymen at an Izakaya (Japanese style pub) and noodle stall under the tracks. On our menu we have Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), a Sour (an alcoholic drink which is unique to Japan) and tempura soba or curry udon ( noodle soup dishes).

From the railway tracks of Ginza and Yurakcho we stroll to Tokyo Station calling in at the impressive International Forum Building on route. At Tokyo Station we will try some foods popularly eaten on a commute home; Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and a Fruits Sando (Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream).

One more short subway ride takes us into the future. Arriving in Akihabara, an area famous for its many electronics shops, Maid Cafes and Anime culture, we consider the future of food in Japan. We will be trying a selection of desserts which combine traditional foods or flavours with a modern fusion twist. In addition to our three fusion desserts we will discuss Akihabara’s prominence in bringing new technology, ideas and subcultures to Japan. Join us on this gourmet tour Japan.

What is included in the price

• English-speaking tour guide
• SnacksDashi. Katsuobushi. Kombu. Satsuma-age. Amazake. Imo Kenpi. Daifuku or Dorayaki. Pokemon Taiyaki. Matcha (green tea) bubble tea or ice-cream
• LunchYakitori. Tempura Soba. Tamagoyaki. Fruits Sando
• Alcoholic BeveragesLemon Sour (Japanese alcoholic drink) 

What is not included in the price

• Transport used during the tour (approx. USD 3 per person)

Instructions