Tokyo: Japanese New Year Food Tour in Shibuya

Tokyo, JP

About this activity

A 3-hour walking food tour in Shibuya to celebrate the New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu), the most important holiday in Japan. You will encounter traditions, food, and symbols of this holiday before ringing in the new year.

Highlights

Take a 3-hour tour of Shibuya, visiting local food stops
Learn about Hatsumode, visiting shrines and temples according to New Year’s tradition
Try some symbolically “good luck” New Year’s dishes
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

Full description

New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan, and on this special evening you can explore the traditions, food and symbols of the season during this walking tour. You will be shown this famous area from a different view, enabling you to discover the best of Shogatsu's culture and winter flavors. Your evening will start off at the famous Hachiko crossing, from where you will head out to try your first “lucky” New Year’s dish, Soba (which according to Japanese culture provides you with a longer life). Next, you will discover a hidden shrine and learn about the customs of Hatsumode. You can then explore the symbolic dishes that make up Osechi (traditional Japanese New Year celebration foods). Later on for dinner, your guide will take you to a favorite local spot for a table-side cooking experience. You can make your own hot-pot dishes, trying both Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, which are perfect as a cozy winter meal. After dinner, you can try some authentic Kobe beef, street-food style. Finally, finish up your evening with an amazing view of the Shibuya Scramble partnered with a traditional New Year's dessert. You can experience and learn all about this important Japanese holiday season all in one evening.

Included / Excluded

• Dinner and free-flowing drinks
• Shogatsu (New Years) in Japan
• Traditional snacks and dessert
• Local English-speaking guide

• Hotel pick-up (can be arranged for an additional charge)
• Gratuity
• Transportation costs
• Additional food and drinks (possible to purchase at the guest’s expense)

Important information

Know before you book

• The tour starts promptly at 4:00PM and ends at 7:00PM
• This tour has a 2 person minimum, and a 10 person maximum
• This tour is vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian and gluten-free friendly
• The operator reserves the right to expel any participant from the tour who is intoxicated, acting belligerently, endangering others or behaving in a way which may tarnish or act upon the operator’s reputation or cause distress
• The operator and its guides reserve the right to refuse or withdraw guests that are unfit to take the tour for any reason, or act in a dangerous manner
• You must be 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol
• Children must be accompanied by an adult/parent
• A passport copy is required for children aged 10 and older

Know before you go

There is a strict policy on the tour start time, guests who are late will be left behind.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

4.6(115 reviews)

frances

Sep 2026

5.0

We really enjoyed the tour ! The food that we tried was amazing, and the places we visited, we would never have tried otherwise. It truly was an authentic japenese experience! Our guide Diante brought humour and knowledge, we loved every minute. And the karaoke add on is a must . I would definitely recommend this tour !

David

Jul 2026

5.0

The food was great.

Ross