Evening Tokyo Walking Food Tour of Shimbashi

Highlights
  • Visit 5 Food stops, including local dishes, desserts and a drink.
  • Eat alongside the real workers of Japan and see how they unwind after a long day at the office.
  • Walk the backstreets of Shinbashi that only most locals know about.
  • Eat and travel with a foodie and get to know Japanese food and local pub culture.
  • This area is lost in time and yet remains popular with Japanese locals. Get off the tourist track and taste the real Japan.
Description

A highly recommended MUST DO activity if you want to avoid the “touristy” areas! Go to local spots and try different kinds of seasonal and authentic dishes for an unforgettable culinary journey.

We begin our tour by entering the chasm of eateries overrun on a nightly basis by the working class of Japan. Then we will stop for local bites and an introduction to drinking and dining culture in Tokyo, and then continue to wind our way to head to another spot that specializes in Oden, a standard of Japanese home-cooking that just cannot be missed. 

Then you will get to try Yakitori- world-famous Japanese meat and veggie BBQ skewers grilled over charcoal in a classic "Under the Tracks" restaurant. After, you will have a chance to indulge in a savory bowl of RAMEN. We will show you how to order, what the basics are, and help you practice your SLURPING techniques! Finally taste a special traditional dessert, where you will have the opportunity to watch this being cooked in front of you.

At 5pm, meet your guide at Shimbashi train station. Come hungry and thirsty, and ready for a 2.5-hour tour in which you will experience the endless rows, alleys, and twists and turns of Shimbashi, the 'salaryman center of the world.'  Known for its rustic izakayas and abundant food stalls, discover some of the area's most tucked-away places to grab some delicious food.

Begin your tour outside Shimbashi Station and enter the chasm of eateries filled on a nightly basis by the working class of Japan. You are instantly surrounded by thousands of salaryman 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 journey, stop for okonomiyaki, a savory pancake made by mixing ingredients like finely sliced squid, shrimp, pork, beef, and cabbage into a batter made from flour before grilling on a flat-iron grill. Wash your okonomiyaki down with a cold drink.

Continue winding your way through the maze of izakayas and long alleys filled with local eateries. Head to another spot that specializes in food from the south of Japan. This place grows their own vegetables and raises their own chickens so everything is extremely fresh. Try four different varieties of local food, each with a very distinct taste from this region of Japan.

Finally, enjoy a special traditional Japanese dessert called taiyaki, a fish-shaped street dessert with a choice of filling, cream or azuki (bean paste). Take advantage of the opportunity to see how the dessert is prepared; taste one of the best taiyaki you'll find in Tokyo and discover why it is the locals' all-time favorite. Take your time at the last spot and once everyone has satisfied their appetites, end the tour back at Shimbashi Station.

Please note: A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Included / Excluded
  • 5 Food Stops
  • One drink included
  • Dessert included
  • Local English speaking guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation costs
  • Additional drinks or food
Start / End Locations

Start Location: 2-7-1 Shinbashi, Minato City, JP

Start Location Notes: Meet up point: In front of SL Quare Steam Engine (Three ladies statue side) Access: Shimbashi Station - JR Yamanote Line, Ginza Subway Line, and Yurikamome monorail SL Square Exit

Commentary

Audio : English

Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 7 days

Cancellation Notes: 7+ days before tour’s date: full refund of tour fees minus any processing fees. 4 to 6 days before the original tour date: 50% refund of tour fees minus any processing fees. 72 hours or less prior to tour: no refund Arigato Japan is not responsible for cancellation conditions or fees imposed by a third-party tour agency or any other company through which service was booked.

Options and Pricing

Time/Days offered: 6 Days a Week, Starting at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday *No National holidays

Group Tour RETAIL PRICE
Adult (20 - 80 years) ¥18,000
Additional Information

Adults only 20 years old and above, Karaoke After Party available, For solo travelers, please email us, Changes to tours and spots we visit may occur due to schedules of restaurants, public holidays, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Applicable substitutions will be made in this case., Not wheelchair accessible, Pesctarian and Vegetarian friendly, Not recommended for Vegans and Gluten-free

About operator:

We are Arigato Japan Food Tours and our goal is to help you make delicious memories of Japan during your travels to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima! On our tours you’ll taste local and regional specialties like okonomiyaki, yakitori, sashimi, taiyaki, gyoza, nabe, yakisoba and so much more. We will show you places locals cherish for an off-the-beaten-path, foodie experience of daily life in Japan that you won’t soon forget.

Basic Information
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Trip difficulty: Moderate
  • Max Group Size: 10
  • Category: Tours & Sightseeing