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.
Audio: English