Old Town Tokyo Food Tour – Daytime
Old Town Tokyo Food Tour
Our tour will take you through the charming area of Yanaka – one of the few remaining districts in Tokyo where the shitamachi (downtown) atmosphere– a feeling of Tokyo from past decades, still survives. The Yanaka area is filled with a feeling of nostalgia and a rustic charm. Our tour will offer you a sightseeing opportunity different from the “big city” feel of other parts of Tokyo.
Yanaka was one of the few areas that survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and Fire of 1923 and was spared the Allied fire bombings during WWII. The area has a history as an artisan town where many famous writers and visual artists lived and worked. Today it retains a similar spirit and an afternoon stroll down the tiny side streets that dissect the area south of Nippori Station will highlight the diversity of craft still being produced in the area: textiles, ink prints, wood carvings, traditional cuisines, stationery, pottery, jewelry, and much more.
We will have the chance to try local street snacks, stop by shops that are over 100 years old, see local shrines and temples, and enjoy a regional lunch before we end our tour with a traditional tea ceremony. By the end of this lovely tour, you will have tried lots of dishes and drinks that locals LOVE!
Single travelers: please email us directly and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Family-friendly pricing: If you are traveling with children and need a price adjustment- please email our team at Bookings@ArigatoJapan.co.jp.
Tour Highlights:
- 3 hour tour of Tokyo’s Yanaka (Yanesen) District
- Visit small shops and try local specialties.
- Enjoy a delicious regional lunch.
- See how the Yanaka area is a great place for locals and visitors alike.
- Explore the art community and see wonderful galleries housed in traditional buildings.
- Finish up with a wonderful traditional tea ceremony in a hidden gem antique shop.
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:
| Wed-Sat | |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time Frame | 10:15 – 10:30 am |
| Start Time | 10:30 am |
| End Time | 1:30 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.
For this tour, it is possible (with advanced notice at the time of booking) to make adjustments to support the following dietary restrictions:
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 Japan. 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!
Luxury traveler Pierre reviews our Old Town Tokyo Food Tour and gives it top marks. Read his review here.
Meeting Location
“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”
The front of Coffee Room Renoir Nippori – Yanaka
Meeting Point Old Town Tokyo Food Tour
Address:
BY TRAIN:
The easiest way is to come on the JR Yamanote train to Nippori Station and exit from the North Gate to the West Exit.
Head outside and across the bridge up the hill about to the Coffee Shop. The Cafe is next to a 7/11.
Our guide will be there holding an “Arigato Travel” sign.
We suggest wearing comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.
WEATHER REMINDER:
On rainy days, we recommend bringing an umbrella. They can be easily purchased at any convenience store.
