Escape the tourist crowds and immerse yourself in the authentic charm of Tokyo's local neighborhoods on this off-the-beaten-path sushi tour. Discover hidden culinary gems, savor traditional flavors, and connect with the heart and soul of Japan's culinary heritage. This immersive experience combines the artistry of sushi, the richness of Japanese sake, and the warmth of traditional coffee culture, topped off with a sweet farewell.
Train Station
- Neighborhood Hideaway. Gather in a quaint neighborhood outside the city center, tucked away from the tourist trail. Here, your culinary adventure begins.
Step into a cozy local sushi restaurant beloved by residents for its unassuming charm and mouthwatering sushi offerings. Here, you'll experience the artistry of sushi-making firsthand as skilled chefs craft each dish with precision and care. Sit back, relax, and savor the flavors of Japan's culinary heritage.
Bid farewell to your first sushi haven and journey and take a short walk to the next destination. Watch in awe as skilled chefs work their magic behind the scenes. Indulge in a tantalizing sushi lunch crafted with precision and care, using only the finest seasonal ingredients. Each bite is a revelation, showcasing the chef's mastery of flavor and technique.
No sushi tour is complete without a toast to Japan's rich sake tradition. Stroll down the shopping street. Here, the local sake shop awaits, its shelves adorned with an exquisite array of sake bottles, each bearing the hallmark of craftsmanship and quality. Discover the world of sake and bring a bottle back to enjoy later or as a gift for home.
Continue your culinary adventure and unwind at a charming Japanese retro-style coffee shop. Step into a bygone era as you savor freshly siphon-brewed coffee with dessert and admire the nostalgic decor. Relax and reflect on the day's culinary delights, accompanied by a soothing cup of coffee or tea.
Before bidding farewell to Tokyo's hidden culinary gems, bring some Japanese sweets back with you to enjoy later. These delicately crafted treats, imbued with the essence of Japan's confectionery tradition, serve as a sweet reminder of your culinary odyssey.
As the tour concludes, carry the memories of your culinary exploration through Tokyo's hidden neighborhoods with you. From the secret sushi havens to the tranquil coffee shops, each moment was a testament to the richness and diversity of Japan's culinary landscape. Until we meet again, may your adventures be filled with delicious discoveries and unforgettable experiences
Train Station
*This is a two stop sushi lunch tour with a retro Japanese coffee shop stop. Food, drinks, and other purchases, such as Japanese sake or Japanese sweets are not included in the price of tour.
*Bringing at least 10,000 yen per person would cover the cost of the three stops and allow for purchases of sake and sweets.
*Transportation is not included. (Example: the one-way cost using the two train lines to get to the destination from JR Tokyo or Shinjuku stations would be about 400 yen per person and take about 40 minutes).
*The lunch costs for the guide at the three stops is not included and would cost approximately a total of 5000 yen to be kindly paid by the guests.
*The tour can be modified to include more or less stops and the option of adding or substituting an 'unagi' restaurant or ramen restaurant is possible upon request.
*The coffee shop stop, sake shop, and sweet shop are also optional and would reduce the costs paid by guests.
*There is a small amount of walking on this tour.
Please inquire for dates and times not listed.
“Perfect Tour”
Best decision I made while traveling solo through Japan. My main interest was to get the local flavor of the best food and drink the area had to offer, and with hundreds upon hundreds of bars and restaurants to choose from it would have been a shot in the dark without Tim’s knowledge of the best Shibuya and Shinjuku has to offer. Great stroll through the fascinating historical areas that I didn’t even realize existed. Learned enough to feel extremely comfortable going back the next night and hitting some other food stalls and bars. Tim’s a great guy to hang out with, and knows his stuff. This was the highlight of my trip so far. Thanks again!
Tim D.
(5 reviews)Jeff, thank you for the great review and pictures. I'm happy to hear the tour was one of your highlights of Japan. I'm glad we had some delicious food and enjoyed the history and cultural information of the areas we visited and other areas in Tokyo and Japan. Sharing travel and life stories was also really fun. It was a pleasure talking to you. Thank you for being a super guest!
“Amazing tour of Shinjuku”
Great evening tour with Tim in Shinjuku. This is a rather overwhelming side of Tokyo, however under Tim's impeccable guidance it became a rather exhilarating evening. I would never have been able to navigate this on my own. Thank you Tim for a lovely unique experience.
Tim D.
(5 reviews)Derin, thank you for the kind review. I appreciate it. It was a pleasure talking to you and showing you some of the highlights in the Shinjuku area. Thank you for being a great guest! Please join me again if you come back to Japan.
“Unbeatable Experience!”
Where do I begin? What an incredible evening with Tim! This was by far one of our favorite evenings in Tokyo. First of, Tim is an American who has lived in Japan for many years, so he is fluent in Japanese. This was really beneficial as he was able to explain in detail the history of the Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho in a way that was very entertaining and easy to understand. While we had good Japanese guides, having a native english speaker and someone familar with our own culture made the tour feel extremely personalized. We were taken to some extremely tiny bars and traditional restaurants and we thoroughly enjoyed the sights, sounds and tastes of these unique night life areas of Tokyo. Next time I visit Tokyo I will definitely do this tour with Tim again.
Tim D.
(5 reviews)Dominique, thank you so much for joining me! You and your group were so fun to be with. Thank you for the great pictures and night together. Please join me again if you come back to Japan.