Small Group Tokyo Food Tour - A Journey Through Time Through Food
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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!
You will need to be able to walk at a reasonable pace in a group environment and should expect to walk about 6.5 km or 4 miles in total over the 5.5 hours. You will also need to be able to walk up and down a large of number of stairs at subway stations. If you are not able to meet the walking requirement, the small group tour is not suitable for you, please contact us to change to a private tour.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You will be granted a full refund (excluding booking and administration charges) if you cancel more than one week (more than 168 hours) in advance of your tour. You will be granted a 50% refund (excluding booking and administration charges) if you cancel between 7 days and 2 days (167 and 49 hours) in advance of your tour. There are no refunds if you cancel with 48 hours or less notice. There are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour or if you are late for the tour.
You will need to be able to walk at a reasonable pace in a group environment and should expect to walk about 6.5 km or 4 miles in total over the 5.5 hours. You will also need to be able to walk up and down a large of number of stairs at subway stations. If you are not able to meet the walking requirement, the small group tour is not suitable for you, please contact us to change to a private tour.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Yakitori. Tempura Soba. Tamagoyaki. Fruits Sando
Dashi. Katsuobushi. Kombu. Satsuma-age. Amazake. Imo Kenpi. Daifuku or Dorayaki. Pokemon Taiyaki. Matcha (green tea) bubble tea or ice-cream
Lemon Sour (Japanese alcoholic drink)
The costs of transport used during the tour are payable by yourself. We take two short subway rides.
What To Expect
Nihonbashi
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 in on two key ingredients; Katsuobushi and Kelp. From there we will enjoy some traditional Japanese snacks that have been 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, several date back to the Edo period itself!
Nihonbashi Bridge
Nihonbashi Bridge
Options
Small Group Tokyo Food Tour - A Journey Through Time Through Food
Reviews
144 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great way to experience Japanese history
redwooddigital,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The food tour was amazing. Miko was very nice and took us to places we never would have found on our own. Her explanations were fascinating, guiding us through different periods of Japan’s history. We started with very traditional dishes from old-world Japan, then moved on to foods popular today, and finished with modern creations developed in recent years. Everything we tried was authentically Japanese — from old traditions to present-day favorites and modern, younger trends. Miko was so kind, and it was a pleasure spending the day with her and the other couple on the tour. We’re so glad we did this food tour; it gave us a completely different perspective on Japan that we wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. We highly recommend this tour.
Learn history, culture, and eat good food all at the same time!
jadeheart,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most amazing time with Miko and our new friends. It was four of us in the group and we had a blast tasting all the foods. Miko did a wonderful job melding history, story telling, and food together. We got a glimpse into Japan's past, present and future and saw a few different parts of Tokyo that we hadn't seen. We also experienced so many things that we would have never found on our own. So much of culture it tied to food and this is a great way to experience Japanese culture and fill your belly. Go hungry and pace yourself!
An extensive tour through the history of food
J5433WXjaneb,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A comprehensive tour including history and cultural refectory all the food we tasted Lots of walking over the day Our guide Keiko was funA f and very helpful
Do not miss this one. Five stars all the way.
M6421GGsimons,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The “Past, Present, and Future food” tour of Tokyo was a phenomenal five-star experience! In Nihonbashi, I explored Edo-era gems like Yagicho Honten (since 1737) for dashi, Nichigetsudo’s wagashi, and the iconic Nihonbashi Bridge with its zero marker. The present unfolded in Ginza and Tokyo Station, with tasty croquettes and fruit sandos, plus stunning views of the Kitte Building. Akihabara’s future vibe thrilled with anime-themed taiyaki at Taiyaki Kurokoan and the vibrant Radio Kaikan. This tour masterfully blended history, food, and pop culture—highly recommended! Ya Su our guide was absolutely amazing. Perfect English , very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the food and history of Tokyo.
Best Tour Ever
M1431KSscottb,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Yasu was wonderful! Being fluent in English and Japanese made the day easy and seamless. His attention to detail and personal touch was genuine and kind and educational.
Delicious and informative tour of Tokyo's amazing foods
Julia T,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing tour! Yasu met us right on time and we embarked on a delightful tour of three areas and eras of Japan. We tried so many little bites with different flavors and histories. Yasu did an wonderful job telling us what we were seeing and tasting and experiencing. He navigated the subways and alleyways and kept us entertained the whole way. A really nice introduction to the history and flavors of the city. Thank you!
A fabulous food and history tour
cathayscooby,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yasu was a wonderful tour guide who was knowledgeable and had a lovely personality. We learnt a lot about the history of Japan and got to try a huge variety of food we would never have discovered on our own. We loved everything about this experience. It was the perfect way to spend a day in Tokyo. Thank you Yasu.
Tokyo at a glance
geraldinas2022,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an amazing day with Yasu in Tokyo! He showed me spots that gave me a real sense of the city’s history, both past and present. We had such interesting conversations about life in Japan and many other topics, and he explained everything clearly without ever rushing. Yasu is super kind, friendly, and fun to be with — I felt really comfortable the whole time. Definitely a 5-star guide, and I’ll be happy to book with him again when I come back to Tokyo.
Food tour across history
mat trt1,
Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really liked this tour across different Tokyo neighborhouds that represented the past, present and future of Tokyo. The food was plenty and Yasu was very friendly and explained everything well. Great tour!
Was great
Franz B,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Was great. very interesting and at the same time abundant and delicious. Danke Yasu, super Guide. We would book again.
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Operated by Hello! Tokyo Tours