Tokyo Food Tour: The Past, Present And Future 11+ Tastings

Exploring Tokyo’s rich culinary tapestry, this immersive food tour takes travelers on a captivating journey through the city’s gastronomic evolution. From historical flavors in Nihonbashi to contemporary delights in Ginza and Yurakucho, the tour promises an authentic taste of Tokyo’s vibrant food scene. With over 11 carefully curated tastings, this intimate experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the city’s diverse dining culture, where traditional heritage blends seamlessly with cutting-edge culinary innovations. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply seeking a unique cultural adventure, this tour promises to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the complex flavors that define Tokyo’s dynamic food landscape.

More food tours and experiences we've reviewed

Key Points

This Tokyo food tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s culinary heritage, from historical flavors to modern innovations across 11+ authentic tastings.
The tour covers a range of iconic Tokyo cuisines, including salaryman dining staples, traditional snacks, and contemporary gift-giving culture at Tokyo Station.
Participants can experience the city’s diverse food landscape through a mix of historical and modern eateries, with one alcoholic drink included in the tasting experience.
The tour is approximately 6.5 hours long, with a moderate walking pace covering 6.5 km, and is not wheelchair-friendly.
The tour has a flexible cancellation policy, with full refunds for cancellations made more than a week in advance, and operates regardless of weather conditions.

Tour Overview

The ‘Tokyo Food Tour: The Past, Present and Future 11+ Tastings’ offers a comprehensive culinary exploration of Japan’s capital, guiding guests through historical flavors, modern dining experiences, and innovative snack marketing across diverse neighborhoods.

Priced from SEK 1,722 per person, the tour lasts 5.5 to 6.5 hours and is available in English, Japanese, and Portuguese.

Groups are kept small, with a maximum of 8 people, and the tour isn’t wheelchair-friendly due to the 6.5 km walking distance.

Participants can enjoy free cancellation up to 5 days in advance, though certain restrictions apply for shorter notice periods.

Itinerary Highlights

The tour’s itinerary highlights explore Tokyo’s diverse culinary heritage, guiding participants through historical flavors in Nihonbashi. Here, they’ll savor simmered kelp, amazake, imo kenpi, and daifuku mochi over 105 minutes.

Next, the tour showcases Tokyo Station’s gift-giving culture with a taste of fruits sando.

In Ginza and Yurakucho, guests experience dining like salarymen, savoring chicken dishes, sour drinks, and curry udon.

The final stop is Akihabara, where participants discover the innovative marketing of traditional Japanese snacks.

Throughout the tour, guests also enjoy a culture, including a visit to a local shrine.

Tasting Experience

Over the course of the tour, participants can look forward to indulging in 11+ authentic tastings showcasing Tokyo’s culinary heritage, from historical to modern eateries. These tastings span a diverse range of food types, including traditional Japanese snacks, contemporary dishes, and local beverages, with one alcoholic drink included as part of the experience. The tasting menu features an enticing array of delights, such as:

Traditional Snacks	Contemporary Dishes
Simmered Kelp	Fruits Sando
Amazake	Chicken Dishes
Imo Kenpi	Curry Udon
Daifuku Mochi	Sour Drinks

This impressive tasting lineup offers a comprehensive exploration of Tokyo’s gastronomic landscape, from its deep-rooted traditions to its innovative culinary creations.

Transportation and Meeting Point

Participants will make their way to the tour’s starting point at Nihonbashi Subway Station Exit B12, where they can either arrive by public transportation or taxi, the costs of which are payable by the participants.

The tour involves two short subway rides, allowing participants to experience the city’s efficient public transit system. Clear directions for reaching the meeting point by subway or taxi are provided, ensuring a smooth start to the tour.

Tour-goers should be prepared to use public transportation and be comfortable with a moderate walking pace, as the tour covers approximately 6.5 kilometers over the course of the experience.

Cancellation Policy

Regarding cancellations, the tour provider offers a flexible policy.

Participants can receive a full refund for cancellations made more than a week in advance. A 50% refund is available for cancellations between 7 and 2 days prior to the tour. However, no refunds are given for cancellations within 48 hours or for no-shows.

This allows for some flexibility should plans change, while also discouraging last-minute cancellations that could prevent others from joining.

The cancellation policy is designed to balance the needs of both the tour operator and the participants, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

Travelers are advised to review the policy carefully when booking to understand their options should they need to cancel or modify their reservation.

Physical Requirements

The Tokyo Food Tour requires a moderate walking pace, covering a distance of approximately 6.5 km throughout the tour.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, participants can expect to move between various historical and modern eateries at a leisurely tempo, with opportunities to rest as needed.

The tour involves exploring the diverse culinary landscape of Tokyo, from the historical flavors of Nihonbashi to the innovative snack offerings in Akihabara.

Participants should be prepared for an active day, with the assurance that the pace will be relaxed and accommodating.

Comfortable shoes are recommended to fully immerse in the culinary journey and cultural exploration of this unique food tour.

Weather Policy

The tour operates rain or shine, ensuring participants can enjoy the culinary and cultural experiences regardless of the weather conditions. This commitment to running the tour in any weather allows for a seamless and enjoyable experience for all guests.

Some key points about the weather policy:

The walking tour takes place outdoors, so participants should dress appropriately for the day’s forecast, including wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear.
In the event of heavy rain or severe weather, the tour may be modified to spend more time in covered areas, but the overall itinerary and tastings will remain the same.
The tour runs regardless of weather conditions, barring any local government warnings or advisories that would make it unsafe to proceed.

Refund Policy

The tour’s refund policy provides flexibility for participants’ scheduling needs. Guests can receive a full refund for cancellations made more than a week in advance, a 50% refund for cancellations between 7 and 2 days prior, but no refunds are offered for cancellations within 48 hours or for no-shows.

This allows travelers to plan with confidence, knowing they can receive a full or partial refund if their plans change. The policy demonstrates the tour operator’s commitment to customer satisfaction and accommodating the needs of their guests.

Participants can book the tour without worrying about unexpected schedule changes causing them to lose their investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dietary Restrictions Accommodated on the Tour?

The tour accommodates most dietary restrictions with advance notice. Participants with special dietary needs should contact the tour operator to discuss their requirements and ensure the tour can be tailored to meet their needs.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed during the tour, though participants are advised to be respectful and avoid disrupting the experience for others. Tour guides may provide guidance on appropriate times and places for photos.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

There is no specified dress code for the tour. Participants are advised to wear comfortable, casual clothing and sturdy walking shoes as the tour involves moderate walking. The focus is on the tasting experience rather than formal attire.

Can Children Participate in the Tour?

Children are welcome to participate in the tour, but the itinerary may not be suitable for young kids. The walking pace is moderate, and the tour involves adult-oriented content that may not appeal to children. Parents should consider the child’s age and interest level before booking.

Can I Bring My Own Snacks or Drinks on the Tour?

Participants can’t bring their own snacks or drinks on the tour. The tour provides all the tastings, and outside food and beverages are typically not allowed. This helps ensure an enjoyable and seamless experience for everyone.