Japanese New Year Food Tour in Shibuya, Tokyo

Highlights

  • 3-hour tour of Shibuya exploration, visiting local food stops New Year’s season special locations

  • Learn about Hatsumode, visiting shrines and temples in the New Year’s tradition

  • Try symbolic “good luck” New Year’s dishes

  • Learn about Shogatsu symbols and flavors with a knowledgeable, English speaking, local guide

  • Enjoy a dinner featuring the classic Japanese winter dishes Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki

  • Toast to the New Year with free-flowing sake, wines, local beer, and other beverages

  • Enjoy great views of the famed Shibuya Crossing

  • Finish up with a classic New Year’s Japanese dessert and a special Shogatsu gift from us

Tour info

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
10
Pricing (From)
Adult: (13-80 years)
¥23,600
Child: (3-12 years)
¥11,800
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

1 Chome-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo, 150-0043, JP

Dropoff location

Shibuya City, Tokyo, 150-0043

Why take this tour?

New Year (Shogatsu or O-shogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Come with us for a special evening 3-hour walking food tour in Shibuya, where we explore the traditions, food, and symbols of the season. We will show you this famous area from a different perspective, and discover the best of Shogatsu culture and winter flavors.

New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Come with us for a special evening, exploring the traditions, food, and symbols of the season. Join our 3-hour walking food tour in Shibuya. We will show you this famous area with a different view, to discover the best of Shogatsu culture and winter flavors.  This tour is limited so book early.

Our evening will start off at the famous Hachiko crossing and we will head out to try our first  “lucky” New Year’s dish,  Soba (for long life). Next, let’s discover a hidden shrine and learn about the customs of Hatsumode. Explore the symbolic dishes that make-up Osechi (traditional Japanese New Year celebration foods.) For dinner, your guide will take you to a local favorite spot for a table-side cooking experience. Make your own hot pot dishes. You can try both Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, perfect for a cozy winter meal. After dinner, try Kobe beef,  street-food style. Finish up your evening with an amazing view of the Shibuya Scramble and a traditional New Year dessert. You can experience and learn all about this important Japanese holiday season in one evening!

What’s included?

  • Dinner and free-flowing drinks

  • Shogatsu (New Year) in Japan, cultural explanation

  • Traditional snacks and dessert

  • Local English speaking guide

  • Hotel pick up not included (can be arranged for an additional charge)

  • Gratuity

  • Transportation costs

  • Additional drinks or food (not included but possible to purchase at the guest’s expense.

Things to know

Covid Policy

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Showing your voucher on your phone will be enough, and it is not necessary to print anything. 

Cancellation Policy

    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.

Redemption information

    • Minimum drinking age is 20 years.
    • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
    • Please be there 10-15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. We have a strict policy about starting our tours on the scheduled time. If you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, the tour will start regardless and no refund will be provided. We are also unable to accommodate meeting up in any of the food stops once you've missed the start of the tour.


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.

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