Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite
Eat like a true Tokyoite

What you'll do

You could try unusual varieties of ramen infused with yuzu (a citrus fruits) and learn local hacks like buying sushi in department store basements and feel smug knowing that you’ve tasted the real Tokyo - not the tourist version. Your host will introduce you to unique street foods like dango - a rice flour dumpling that’s covered with sweet soy sauce - or surprisingly delicious konbini supermarket fried chicken. In Yokocho, your host will effortlessly order with the eye of an expert - it helps to have a local around when you don’t speak Japanese! It won’t be long before plates of grilled gyoza, fatty tuna sashimi and hiyayakko (silken tofu with soy and ginger) appear, and you’re cheering “kampai!” with the locals over regional sake. 

Where you’ll go

From 8-seater sushi shops to ramshackle izakaya bars squeezed into lantern-lit alleyways,  gleaming depachika - expansive food halls in the basements of luxurious department stores - to no-frills standing bars called tachinomiya, you’ll only visit the places where locals really eat. You could eat your way around neon-lit Shibuya, a central district known as a food hub for regional flavors from across Japan. But between the sleek stores is Yokocho, a kaleidoscope of neon lights, red lanterns and retro izakaya bars, all crammed into a tiny alleyway that’s overflowing noisy locals and more dishes than you knew existed. 

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 4 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking Tour

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • You’ll feast your way around a neighborhood of Tokyo known for its eclectic food culture
  • Try new dishes which you may never have heard of, never mind tasted before
  • Eat at local izakaya where foreigners usually can’t go, as owners are afraid their English isn’t good enough to serve non-Japanese customers!
  • Sample popular drinks, from regional sake to unusual soft drinks from vending machines in the street
  • Learn about Japanese food etiquette, and the secrets behind regional Japanese cuisines

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized experience
  • 4 hours with a host
  • 6-8 food tastings selected by your host, based on your preferences
  • 1 beer and 1 cup of sake or highball, or 2 soft drinks, carefully selected for you by your host
  • Tastings of unique Japanese soft drinks from street side vending machines or convenience stores
  • Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Additional food and drinks
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • COVID-19 Flexible Policy: you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    I cannot say enough wonderful things about Kenji (our guide). We had a great time wandering through the amazing food court beneath the department store! He gave us great advice all along the tour about great places to try on our own, along with interesting bits of local knowledge! He took extra effort to connect with and find out what each of us were interested in tasting. We tried some great foods all along the way. 10 stars ⭐️! Unfortunately a few of us had a small mishap while crossing the street on our way to one last stop and Kenji had to come to our rescue and hail us a cab. The rest of the group were able to carry on without us and ended the tour without us.

    February 2020

    Karen D

    Mein Tourguide war Patrick. Ich kann Ihn nur jedem empfehlen, er kennt Tokyo sehr gut und konnte mit viele Orte zeigen, die ich alleine nie gefunden hätte. Das Essen, Trinken und der Trip durch die Gassen - alles war einfach nur genial!

    February 2020

    Kevin B

    Kenji was very personable ! We were a group with varied ages and I liked that he went out of his way to engage with all members of the group! We learnt a lot about Japanese food and felt that he enjoyed being out with us and learning about us as much as we wanted to learn about him and like in Japan. He definitely made our group feel very comfortable. Kenji is an amazing tour leader and is very well suited to this type of tour !!! We have used Tours with Locals in the past in Europe and this is exactly the same and the reason we will continue to use where available on our travels!

    February 2020

    Nicole L

    I cannot say enough wonderful things about Kenji (our guide). We had a great time wandering through the amazing food court beneath the department store! He gave us great advice all along the tour about great places to try on our own, along with interesting bits of local knowledge! He took extra effort to connect with and find out what each of us were interested in tasting. We tried some great foods all along the way. 10 stars ⭐️! Unfortunately a few of us had a small mishap while crossing the street on our way to one last stop and Kenji had to come to our rescue and hail us a cab. The rest of the group were able to carry on without us and ended the tour without us.

    January 2020

    Karen D

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Tokyo. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

Other experiences you may be interested in

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See all experiences in Tokyo

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

Other experiences you may be interested in

Only in Tokyo: the unusual Ramen experience
New Tokyo

Only in Tokyo: the unusual Ramen experience

Sample some of the most unique culinary contributions from Tokyo- blue & coffee flavored ramen await

$99.16 per person

3 hours

On a roll in Tokyo! The sushi experience
New Tokyo

On a roll in Tokyo! The sushi experience

For sushi on trains & sake on tap (and not a California roll in sight), no place on earth tops Tokyo

$104.16 per person

3 hours

Bottoms up, Tokyo-style! The “sake” experience
Tokyo

Bottoms up, Tokyo-style! The “sake” experience

From basic brews to layered liquors, there’s a sake to suit every palate (and pocket) in Shinjuku

$114.78 per person

3 hours

See all experiences in Tokyo