Food Tours In Japan

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourists enjoying a meal with a local guide at a busy restaurant in Japan

Top 10 food tours & experiences in Japan

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

The best private food tours in Japan

Japan has quickly risen up the ranks as one of the most popular food destinations in the world – and for very good reason. With an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients and flavors that range from light and subtle to super-bold, Japanese cuisine can be tremendously varied, with something to suit every palate. Perfectly prepared traditional Japanese food – found at restaurants, markets, cash-only counters, izakaya, cafés, and even convenience stores – is overflowing across the country and you can discover it all on one of our Japan food tours. From familiar favorites like sushi and soba to the unfamiliar, unexpected specialties unique to each individual city, Japanese cuisine is utterly, mind-blowingly delicious.

Meet some of our food-loving local hosts in Japan

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourists experiencing a local chef preparing okonomiyaki in Osaka

A countrywide culinary adventure

From traditional Kaiseki in magical Kyoto and Okonomiyaki in Osaka to Fukuoka’s tonkotsu ramen and perfectly marbled Kobe beef (not to mention the lesser-known Sapporo “soup curry”), each of Japan’s cities has its own regional Japanese cuisine. Whether you snack on Omicho croquettes at a market dubbed the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, sample Momiji Manjū – a creative take on the traditional rice cake – in Hiroshima or sit down for a typical Japanese breakfast of Nagoya-style miso soup and rice, Japanese cuisine consistently delivers on out-of-this-world flavor no matter where your Japan food tour takes you.

The traditional food market mecca

A food tour in Japan would be incomplete without jostling through the narrow, maze-like alleys of a local market – and there are a lot to choose from. The range of food markets in Japan is as diverse as Japanese cuisine itself and can be found hidden away underground in shopping centers, popping up in parks, or attracting locals year-round. At these markets throughout the country, you’ll find all sorts of incredible Japanese cuisine, from fresh seafood to sit-down meals to popular street food (and plenty of sweets!) – but more than that, you’ll get a true snapshot of local life.

Tourists enjoying a meal at a yatai with a local on a food tour of Fukuoka

Modest, modern and Michelin-starred

Perhaps you’ll tuck into Yakitori skewers at a night market in Fukuoka, or grab a bowl of ramen at a tiny 10-seater restaurant in Yokohama. Or maybe you’ll indulge in a 5-star-rated meal in Tokyo – the city with more Michelin stars than any other in the world. Japanese cuisine can be found in every type of environment. The best places to eat range from ramshackle restaurants that specialize in one thing and one thing only to sleek, sophisticated eateries serving trendy fusion fare. Whatever – and wherever – you eat, one rule of Japanese cuisine applies: it’s bound to taste sublime.

Japan travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find the best things to do, places to eat, must eat foods and lots of travel tips in Japan and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Bruce is one of the absolute best guides I've ever had! I briefed him by email the night before our meeting, regarding my expectations and goals. He managed to fulfill them all, and then some. His forte' is food. Not the tourist trap types of eating establishments. But the small surprising neighborhood restaurants. Treasured by locals. He's a truly thoughtful gentleman, who knows the city well and how to cover a lot of territory in a limited amount of time. Being extremely knowledgeable and lighthearted. He not only taught and informed me, but kept me smiling and entertained. I highly recommend choosing Bruce as your Fukuoka private tour guide.

November 2023

Kathryn N
He took me to many shrines and temples. Showed me a lot of the historic culture and explained (in detail) the history and meaning of the destinations. I would recommend Taiyo for any tourist that can book him. 100/10.

November 2023

Harash S
We had a wonderful time with Yu. He was fun, knowledgeable and great with our kids. The whole tour was an amazing experience we learn a lot about Japan and Fukuoka.

November 2023

Myriam F
I did guide tour for 6 hours and my guide Taiyosan showed me many interesting places but mostly I enjoyed how he did explained me history and curious facts. He was also easygoing and friendly so I really enjoyed the experience

November 2023

Sveva B