At Katsuobushi shop, learning how they are made.

At Wasabi Zuke (Pickle) shop, tasting samples

At Green Tea Shop, learning how to brew.

At Tofu shop, peeking freshly made Tofu

Katsuobushi

Wasabi Zuke (Pickle)

(Atami) Japanese Culinary Shop Walking Tour

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yuri U.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Shizuoka

Japanese (Native), English

3 hours

Private tour (only you and Yuri U.)

Up to 5 people

Atami, seaside onsen town only 45 min from Tokyo by bullet train, has a long history as a retreat destination and still is a home for many high-end traditional ryokans, which had helped many small food shops to survive to date.

This walking tour is to visit three shops offering indispensable ingredients to Japanese cuisine, including green tea, wasabi zuke (pickles), katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna) and tofu to learn about history, products (even samples!) directly from the shop owners.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

Sakurabashi, Atami

- Sakurabashi on Itogawa River in Atami

08:30 AM

Sakurabashi & Visit to the First Shop

Our guide welcomes you to Atami, with brief history of Atami, followed by general explanation of Japanese cuisine, interesting facts about the products of the shops we will visit during the tour.

Upon arrival to the first shop (5 min. to 10 min. walk), the shop owner (or staff) explains about their history, products, sample tasting and so on. We will stay in the shop for about 1 hour before moving to the second shop.

Three shops from four types of shops; 1) green tea 2) wasabi zuke(pickle) 3) katsuobushi 4) tofu, will be selected on a rotational basis and the order of the shop visit will be vary depending of schedule of each shop owners.

09:50 AM

Visit to the Second Shop

We will walk to the second shop (5 to 10 min). The shop owner (or staff) of the second shop explains about their history, products and so on. We will stay in the shop for about 40-45 min. before moving to the third shop.

10:40 AM

Visit to the Third shop

We will walk to the third shop (5 to 10 min). The shop owner (or staff) of the third shop explains about their history, products and so on. We will stay in the shop for about 40-45 min, then the tour will be dismissed at the third shop location.

11:30 AM

At the Thrid Shop

End of the Tour

Our guide is more than happy to show you the way back to the starting point, restaurant for lunch, and/or any sight-seeing places in Atami.

Ending Point

At the Third shop (TBD)

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide Fee

Visits to three local shops selling essential ingredients for Japanese cuisine

What‘s not included

Your purchase at the shops (totally at your discretion). Please bring cash as some shops don't accept credit cards.

Tour Important Information

*Please wear comfortable shoes, and be ready to walk about 1 km and stay standing.

*Three shops will be selected from four types of shops; 1) green tea 2) wasabi zuke (pickle) 3) katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna used for Japanese dashi stock) and 4) tofu, on a rotational basis and the order of the shop visit will be vary depending of schedule of each shop owner.

*If you have any preferred type of shops to visit (among four types), please make a request.

*Please be aware that explanations by shop owner (or staff) may be interrupted due to their customers visit.

*If you have a preference for a tour on a different day/time, please make a request at least by four weeks in advance of the tour date. We may be able to accommodate your request.

*While sample tasting will be offered, please don't take risk if you feel uncomfortable or have food allergies. We cannot be responsible for the consequences of your action.

*Most memorable part of any trip is interactions with local people. So enjoy the conversation, ask questions, share your stories, and most importantly, stay open minded.

Other dates may be accepted depending on shops' availability, by requesting at least one month in advance.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2024

Yuri U.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yuri U.

Your trip to Japan starts when you start planning for it! I am Yuri, based in ATAMI, a seaside onsen (hot-spring) town, full of history and beautiful sceneries, only 45 min. from Tokyo area! I would love to introduce ATAMI to YOU, especially if you are tired of visiting the beaten-the-path places in Japan. Include ATAMI and/or IZU area for your next trip to enjoy the beautiful nature, interesting culture, local food and people! I am here to help!

I am originally from Tokyo, and happy to travel to Tokyo or nearby town to get you started with info only locals would know!

I hope to meet you soon!