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HomePrivate Tokyo Food Tour - A Journey Through Time Through Food
Highlights
- Enjoy 14 Japanese food tastings
- Visit Nihonbashi, Ginza / Tokyo Station and Akihabara
- Learn about the key ingredients and flavours that underpin Japanese food
Description
This 5.5 hours tour takes you on a journey through time, through food! Spanning three geographical districts of Tokyo and three periods of time, this food tour covers the foundation of Japanese food and cooking (the Edo period), the most popular present-day foods in Japan and finishes in the future with some fusion twists on traditional flavours. Visit Nihonbashi, Ginza / Tokyo Station and Akihabara. Enjoy 14 Japanese food tastings. Come hungry! This is a private tour, and only the people you invite will attend. Hotel pick-up is available - an extra hour is added to the tour to cover the travel time.
Itinerary
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Nihonbashiexpand_more
- Starting in Nihonbashi, in the past, we will look at key ingredients and flavours that underpin Japanese food. We will learn about Dashi, the stock that forms the base of many Japanese dishes. We will focus on two key ingredients; Katsuobushi and Kelp. From there, we will enjoy some traditional Japanese snacks eaten for generations. Satsuma-age (fried fish cake), Amazake (a healthy fermented rice drink), Imo Kenpi (sweet potato chips) and Daifuku (glutinous rice mochi with a sweet filling). All of the shops that we have chosen have been carefully curated. All are over 100 years old, and several date back to the Edo period itself!
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Nihonbashi Bridgeexpand_more
- Visit the magnificent Nihonbashi Bridge.
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Fukutoku Shrineexpand_more
- Discover the differences between Shrines and Temples.
- Learn how to cleanse your spirit and pray at a shrine.
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Ginza/Yurakuchoexpand_more
- Arriving at Ginza / Yurakucho, we learn about how Japan industrialised after the war. With industrialisation came Salarymen, and with Salarymen came Gado Shita’s (small bars and restaurants built under the railway tracks) to serve the working men before their commute home. We will eat and drink like Salarymen at an Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and noodle stall under the tracks. On our menu, we have Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), a Sour (an alcoholic drink which is unique to Japan) and tempura soba or curry udon (noodle soup dishes).
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Ginza & Yurakcho Railway Tracksexpand_more
- From the railway tracks of Ginza and Yurakcho, we stroll to Tokyo Station, calling in at the impressive International Forum Building on the route.
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Kitte Buildingexpand_more
- Explore the Kitte Building.
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Tokyo Stationexpand_more
- At Tokyo Station, we will try foods popularly eaten on a commute home; Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and a Fruits Sando (Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream).
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Akihabaraexpand_more
- Arriving in Akihabara, an area famous for its many electronics shops, Maid Cafes and Anime culture, we consider the future of food in Japan. We will try a selection of desserts that combine traditional foods or flavours with a modern fusion twist. In addition to our three fusion desserts, we will discuss Akihabara’s prominence in bringing new technology, ideas and subcultures to Japan.
What's Included
- Dashi
- Katsuobushi
- Kombu
- Satsuma-age
- Amazake
- Imo Kenpi
- Daifuku or Dorayaki
- Pokemon Taiyaki
- Matcha (green tea), bubble tea, or ice-cream
- Yakitori
- Tempura Soba
- Tamagoyaki
- Fruits Sando
- Lemon Sour (Japanese alcoholic drink)
What's Excluded
- The costs of transport used during the tour are payable by yourself. We take two short subway rides.
Know before you go
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Cancellation Policy: If for whatever reason you want to cancel your booked tour, then please note the following. Please email us your notice to cancel, and we will confirm the cancellation by email. You will receive a full refund (excluding any credit card charges/booking fee) if you cancel more than 2 weeks before your scheduled tour. You will receive a 50% refund if you cancel your tour 5 days to two weeks before your tour. There are no refunds if you cancel your tour less than 5 days (119 hours) before the start of your tour. There are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour or choose to leave the tour early.
- We pick up from any hotel or Airbnb in Central Tokyo.
Language
English
Activity Level
Easy