Culinary Backstreets

History of "The Spirit of Tokyo: Exploring Old School Monzen-Nakacho"

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Version 6 – May 10, 2025 11:18

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Cancellation notes
  • 90% refund if given 1 week notice prior to walk.
  • 50% refund if given 72 hours notice or more.
  • Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
  • 100% refund if given 1 week notice prior to walk.
  • 50% refund if given 72 hours notice or more.
  • Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Version 5 – May 10, 2025 11:18

Current Version
Previous Version
Description
  • Tucked away on the eastern side of Tokyo, Monzen-Nakacho is a neighborhood unlike any other in the capital. Here, in the heart of the city’s historic shitamachi, the rhythms of daily life echo with tradition, spirituality, and the aromas of time-honored cooking. On this immersive six-hour experience, you'll explore not just the flavors but also the soul of a place where Tokyo’s past and present coexist gracefully. We begin our journey inside the serene grounds of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, a landmark steeped in Edo-period history and the birthplace of professional sumo. Among the shrine’s stone lanterns and towering torii gates, we’ll enjoy a beloved local dish: asari gohan, or clams over rice, prepared with care by a humble eatery tucked within the complex. From there, we’ll stroll down a nostalgic shopping street dating back to the early 20th century, popping into family-run shops that have stood the test of time. Whether it’s hand-crafted pickles, traditional sweets made the old-fashioned way, or everyday goods rarely found in modern chain stores, each stop tells a story of craft, continuity, and care.
  •  The pace of the day will then shift from flavor to flame as we make our way to the striking Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple, where one of the daily goma fire rituals offers a multisensory encounter with Buddhist practice. Chanting, drumming, and the crackle of fire come together in a centuries-old purification ceremony that remains deeply embedded in the life of the neighborhood. With spirits lifted, we follow the local tradition of heading toward the neighborhood’s intimate bars and eateries as the day transitions into evening. Here, food and drink are more than sustenance—they are social currency, passed from hand to hand in places where the line between stranger and regular quickly fades. We'll visit a small kaku-uchi—a liquor store where locals sip standing up—where the sake flows freely and conversation is easy. Further along, a specialist in umeshu (plum wine) will introduce us to rare and refined versions of this beloved drink.
  •  The evening culminates at a contemporary izakaya that reimagines Japanese pub fare with a focus on tuna, elevating this humble staple into innovative, mouthwatering creations. Seated shoulder to shoulder with locals, we’ll enjoy an array of small plates paired with drinks, gaining not just a full belly, but a fuller appreciation for the cultural role of food and hospitality in Tokyo life. Throughout this experience, you’ll meet shopkeepers, cooks, brewers, and bartenders—each a custodian of Monzen-Nakacho’s character. Their stories, skills, and quiet dedication offer a rare window into a side of Tokyo that few visitors get to see. This is more than a food tour; it’s a deep dive into the neighborhood spirit that continues to nourish Japan’s capital in every sense of the word.
  • Tucked away on the eastern side of Tokyo, Monzen-Nakacho is a neighborhood unlike any other in the capital. Here, in the heart of the city’s historic shitamachi, the rhythms of daily life echo with tradition, spirituality, and the aromas of time-honored cooking. On this immersive six-hour experience, you'll explore not just the flavors but also the soul of a place where Tokyo’s past and present coexist gracefully. We begin our journey inside the serene grounds of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, a landmark steeped in Edo-period history and the birthplace of professional sumo. Among the shrine’s stone lanterns and towering torii gates, we’ll enjoy a beloved local dish: asari gohan, or clams over rice, prepared with care by a humble eatery tucked within the complex. From there, we’ll stroll down a nostalgic shopping street dating back to the early 20th century, popping into family-run shops that have stood the test of time. Whether it’s hand-crafted pickles, traditional sweets made the old-fashioned way, or everyday goods rarely found in modern chain stores, each stop tells a story of craft, continuity, and care.
  • The pace of the day will then shift from flavor to flame as we make our way to the striking Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple, where one of the daily goma fire rituals offers a multisensory encounter with Buddhist practice. Chanting, drumming, and the crackle of fire come together in a centuries-old purification ceremony that remains deeply embedded in the life of the neighborhood. With spirits lifted, we follow the local tradition of heading toward the neighborhood’s intimate bars and eateries as the day transitions into evening. Here, food and drink are more than sustenance—they are social currency, passed from hand to hand in places where the line between stranger and regular quickly fades. We'll visit a small kaku-uchi—a liquor store where locals sip standing up—where the sake flows freely and conversation is easy. Further along, a specialist in umeshu (plum wine) will introduce us to rare and refined versions of this beloved drink.
  • The evening culminates at a contemporary izakaya that reimagines Japanese pub fare with a focus on tuna, elevating this humble staple into innovative, mouthwatering creations. Seated shoulder to shoulder with locals, we’ll enjoy an array of small plates paired with drinks, gaining not just a full belly, but a fuller appreciation for the cultural role of food and hospitality in Tokyo life. Throughout this experience, you’ll meet shopkeepers, cooks, brewers, and bartenders—each a custodian of Monzen-Nakacho’s character. Their stories, skills, and quiet dedication offer a rare window into a side of Tokyo that few visitors get to see. This is more than a food tour; it’s a deep dive into the neighborhood spirit that continues to nourish Japan’s capital in every sense of the word.

Version 4 – May 10, 2025 11:18

Current Version
Previous Version
Short Description
  • Step into one of Tokyo’s most unique neighborhoods on this immersive six-hour tour through Monzen-Nakacho. Nestled in the city’s historic shitamachi district, this area blends centuries-old tradition with vibrant local life. Begin at Tomioka Hachiman Shrine—birthplace of Edo-era sumo—where you’ll enjoy a clam rice specialty, then explore bustling old shopping streets and sample artisanal pickles, sweets, and more. At Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple, witness a powerful fire ceremony before delving into the local izakaya scene. Taste your way through hidden bars, enjoy expertly crafted dishes, and sip sake at a cozy kaku-uchi. Highlights include umeshu tastings and a final stop at a neo-izakaya known for its inventive tuna creations. Along the way, meet local artisans and gain a deeper understanding of Tokyo’s culinary heritage, spirituality, and hospitality—all in one unforgettable neighborhood.
Description
  • Tucked away on the eastern side of Tokyo, Monzen-Nakacho is a neighborhood unlike any other in the capital. Here, in the heart of the city’s historic shitamachi, the rhythms of daily life echo with tradition, spirituality, and the aromas of time-honored cooking. On this immersive six-hour experience, you'll explore not just the flavors but also the soul of a place where Tokyo’s past and present coexist gracefully. We begin our journey inside the serene grounds of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, a landmark steeped in Edo-period history and the birthplace of professional sumo. Among the shrine’s stone lanterns and towering torii gates, we’ll enjoy a beloved local dish: asari gohan, or clams over rice, prepared with care by a humble eatery tucked within the complex. From there, we’ll stroll down a nostalgic shopping street dating back to the early 20th century, popping into family-run shops that have stood the test of time. Whether it’s hand-crafted pickles, traditional sweets made the old-fashioned way, or everyday goods rarely found in modern chain stores, each stop tells a story of craft, continuity, and care.
  • The pace of the day will then shift from flavor to flame as we make our way to the striking Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple, where one of the daily goma fire rituals offers a multisensory encounter with Buddhist practice. Chanting, drumming, and the crackle of fire come together in a centuries-old purification ceremony that remains deeply embedded in the life of the neighborhood. With spirits lifted, we follow the local tradition of heading toward the neighborhood’s intimate bars and eateries as the day transitions into evening. Here, food and drink are more than sustenance—they are social currency, passed from hand to hand in places where the line between stranger and regular quickly fades. We'll visit a small kaku-uchi—a liquor store where locals sip standing up—where the sake flows freely and conversation is easy. Further along, a specialist in umeshu (plum wine) will introduce us to rare and refined versions of this beloved drink.
  • The evening culminates at a contemporary izakaya that reimagines Japanese pub fare with a focus on tuna, elevating this humble staple into innovative, mouthwatering creations. Seated shoulder to shoulder with locals, we’ll enjoy an array of small plates paired with drinks, gaining not just a full belly, but a fuller appreciation for the cultural role of food and hospitality in Tokyo life. Throughout this experience, you’ll meet shopkeepers, cooks, brewers, and bartenders—each a custodian of Monzen-Nakacho’s character. Their stories, skills, and quiet dedication offer a rare window into a side of Tokyo that few visitors get to see. This is more than a food tour; it’s a deep dive into the neighborhood spirit that continues to nourish Japan’s capital in every sense of the word.
Highlights
  • sake and umeshu tasting in authentic local spots, taste tokyo’s soul food at a shrine eatery, visits a residential neighborhood, witness a live fire ceremony at fukagawa fudo-do temple
  • tastings of delicious japanese street food, visit a izakaya, or japanese gastropub, visit a yokocho drinking alley , visits a residential neighborhood
Redemption type
  • MANIFEST
Percent Complete
  • 88.8888888888888889
  • 83.3333333333333333

Version 2 – May 10, 2025 11:15

Current Version
Previous Version
Short Description
  • Any attempt to fully appreciate Tokyo and its food scene — simultaneously deeply-rooted and constantly changing — is a foolhardy mission. However, there are places where traditions and the communities they nurture are still identifiable. Welcome, then, to Kichijoji, where food-focused rituals unfold everyday and the rhythm of daily culinary life is more accessible.
  • Our walk begins at a depachika to experience one of Tokyo’s incredible food halls, to try a locals' favourite sushi bar. Along Kichijoji’s bustling shotengai shopping street, we’ll learn about the basics of Japanese cuisine and taste some of them, such as skewers of yakitori and octopus balls. We’ll meet a family of artisanal senbei makers and we'll visit a restaurant dedicated entirely to miso; after some unusual food rarely served outside Japan and expertly-crafted tea and sweets standbys, we'll end at a traditional yokocho drinking alley to sample sake or beer and bar snacks at an izakaya designed by a modernist architect.
Redemption type
  • voucher
Name
  • The Spirit of Tokyo: Exploring Old School Monzen-Nakacho
  • Small Town in the Big City: Tasting Tokyo’s Kichijoji - Clone
Percent Complete
  • 83.3333333333333333
  • 88.8888888888888889

Version 1 – May 10, 2025 11:14

Current Version
Previous Version
Name
  • Small Town in the Big City: Tasting Tokyo’s Kichijoji - Clone
  • Small Town in the Big City: Tasting Tokyo’s Kichijoji