We will start off the evening in a classic Tachinomi–Japanese standing bars (“tachi” meaning stand, “nomi” meaning drink). Traditionally, they were a no-frills type of bar located around train stations or in working-class areas, where salarymen would come to unwind after a hard day’s work. Let’s kanpai (toast) and kick off the tour in local style.
Retro Shibuya Food Tour – Evening
Retro Shibuya — Local Hidden Gems
Step back in time and discover hidden local gems that give Shibuya a deep culinary history beyond all the glitz and modern pop culture glamor!
This hidden gem nightlife tour will show you a side of Shibuya that tourists never see. Step back into history, and visit spots and have experiences that locals have enjoyed for decades! Visit drinking and dining stalls that are hiding in plain sight. Learn about the culture of Tachinomi bars where diners snack on local seasonal dishes and drink with friends and coworkers. Try some of the best local Ramen at a favorite shop that has stood the test of time–serving local fans for over 60 years! And have a dessert experience that you will never forget. Your inner child will have so much fun on our last dessert stop, but we can’t tell you much here as we don’t want to spoil the surprise.
Please note: due to legal restrictions at some of our stops on this tour- all members of your group must be 20 years old or older.
Japanese ramen has taken the world by storm in recent years but there is nothing quite like a real bowl of ramen enjoyed in the back streets of the big city. We will be visiting a ramen shop with a lot of history that has even been featured in a Japanese manga (graphic novel) — Please note on days when this shop is closed we will visit a backup shop serving amazing regional ramen.
Wind your way along back streets as we head over to our hidden gem izakaya (Japanese pub) wonderland where your guide will help you enjoy some of the best local dishes and drinks with a retro atmosphere like nothing you’ve seen before. Choose your own sake, beer, or special mixed drinks at this spot. (Non-alcoholic beverages are also available) before we head off to a sweet finish with our surprise dessert experience.
Tour Highlights
- 3-hour tour of the back streets and hidden spots around Shibuya
- Try local snacks and over 12 different dishes with 3+ drinks included
- Visit a famous 60+-year-old iconic Ramen shop
- Learn about the history of Shibuya dating back to the Showa era and discover some special spots from Tokyo’s past.
- This evening tour will take you to places that you would simply not find on your own.
Private Tours: For a more customized experience, make your tour private for an additional ¥19,500+ TAX. (min. 2 people). Please click the add-on button on your cart when you check out.
Strict start time policy: We are sorry to say that if you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, we will need to start the tour regardless and no refund can be provided. We are also unable to accommodate meeting up at any of the food stops. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests and also to respect our relationships with restaurants.
5-minute grace period: We can only wait an additional five minutes after the starting time and then the tour will depart. In addition, please note that we cannot give directions or contact the guides on the phone once the tour begins.
Tour Schedule:
| Monday–Sunday | |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time Frame | 3:45 – 4:00 pm |
| Start Time | 4:00 pm |
| End Time | 7:00 pm |
Changes on tours: Applicable substitutions may be made due to public holidays, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances.
For Vegetarians:
Some food that we serve may have dashi, a soup stock made from kelp (seaweed) and bonito (skipjack tuna) as well as other ingredients. Dashi is the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and is used in many/most Japanese dishes. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your dietary needs if you cannot consume dashi. Additionally, please inform us if you can eat eggs and dairy products.
If you cannot consume Dashi, we recommend booking a private tour with us and we can offer some alternatives. Again, be aware, it will still be a challenge to 100% avoid fish stock.
Single travelers: please email us directly and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Adults only. Minimum age for this tour is 20.
Please keep in mind, however, that we cannot make an allergy-free or dietary restriction food guarantee since food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to Arigato Travel. Also, some stops may not have a viable substitution but we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.
TRAVEL BLOGGER Tested and Approved!
Unsure of where to go for a bite, Scott of Travel Pulse turns to our Retro Shibuya food tour to find exactly what he needs. See what he has to say here.
BEER, SAKE, OTHER BEVERAGES 3+ DRINKS INCLUDED
LOCAL FOOD STOPS INCLUDING DESSERT
WALKING LEVEL LIGHT TO MODERATE
Meeting Location
The meeting point is in front of the Wall Mural of Hachiko (the famous local dog) right outside the station, at Hachiko Exit. The nearest exit from Shibuya Station to the meeting point is the Hachiko Exit.
2 Chome-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Our guide will be holding an Arigato Travel sign, please wear comfortable shoes as there is a good bit of walking on our tours.
WEATHER REMINDER:
On rainy days, we recommend bringing an umbrella. They can be easily purchased at any convenience store.
“what3words has given every 3 meter square in the world a unique combination of three words. We use what3words to specify the exact location of our tour meeting points to ensure you don’t get lost and enjoy your tour with us. Simply click on the what3words address below to see the exact 3 meter square of our meeting spot”
