Tokyo tour for food lovers & food replica making
Joined 2022
Would you like to explore the 'food capital' of Japan? This is a food-themed tour, which takes you to ①Tsukiji, the bustling fish and vegetable market, ②Ginza, the elegant shopping area where food takes on a different note, ③Asakusa, an old temple town with traditional sweets, and ④Kappabashi, the 'kitchen town', where you can make your own food replica!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your central Tokyo hotel or at any station convenient for you in central Tokyo
Your central Tokyo hotel or station in central Tokyo
Pick up / meet up
Tsukiji Market
Tsukiji was the world's No.1 fish and vegetables market until 2018, when its wholesale section was moved to Toyosu. The retail section and a part of the wholesalers remained in Tsukiji, and the place is bustling with ordinary customers and professionals as before. The shelves are packed with seasonal goods of superior quality that cannot be found elsewhere and sampling them would be a good introduction to understanding our rich food culture. Ideal place to have an early lunch of sushi!
Ginza
Two stations from Tsukiji is Ginza, Tokyo's most expensive and elegant shopping district. At the basement floor of a department store, you will find an incredible array of foods at delicatessen section.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a temple town retaining an old-Edo (former Tokyo) feel. The Thunder Gate, with its iconic giant red lantern, and the Nakamise Shopping Street are the approach to the Senso-ji Temple. You can try various traditional sweets and enjoy looking at Edo-style goods sold along the street. At the Main Hall of the temple, let's pray for your safe trip!
Kappabashi
Kappabashi, the 'kitchen utensils town', lies next to Asakusa. It is an 800m street almost entirely populated with shops supplying the restaurant trade. What you cannot miss here is the elaborate replica food, a Japanese invention. They are often displayed outside restaurants to show what you should expect for what price you pay. You may have found them very helpful when no English menu is provided. And they do look very tasty, don't they? Here you can actually make wax replica yourself. You would be really surprised to know how miraculously they are made, so come on, let's try!
(If you and your group wish to try other experiences instead of food replica making, like traditional indigo dyeing, please let me know.)
Fee: replica food making - ¥3,000/person, indigo dyeing experience - ¥2,000～/person
Tawaramachi Station or Asakusa Station
End of the tour
Optional: Tokyo Skytree (Tour extension is possible with extra fee)
The tour ends here, but if the weather is fine and you are still full of energy to call it a day, the Tokyo Skytree is right in front of you, so why not extend the tour a little and see the daytime view from its observation deck gradually change into the gorgeous night view? Tokyo Skytree is the world's tallest TV tower. At the foot of the tower is Soramachi, with 300 shops and restaurants, aquarium, planetarium, etc.
You can decide on the tour extension on the day of the tour, because the visibility depends largely on the day's weather. Extra hour cost: ¥6,000 per hour / group.
Admission Fee (adult/weekday or holiday): up to Tembo Deck at 350m ¥2,100 or ¥2,300/person, up to Tembo Galleria at 450m ¥3,100 or ¥3,400/person
Ending Point
At the place of last visit or at a pre-arranged place
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
guide fee
hotel pick-up within central Tokyo area
transportation fee of you and guide: about ¥1,000 / person
lunch cost of you and guide (please pay the whole bill)
experience fee (please refer to the itinerary)
Please note that in case of extension of the tour, the followings will be added:
extra hour cost: ¥6600 per hour / group
entrance fee of you and guide (please refer to the itinerary)
Tour Important Information
・Tsukiji Market is closed on Sundays, most Wednesdays and on National Holidays. This TOUR WILL NOT BE HELD ON MARKET HOLIDAYS. Please contact the guide for holiday information.
・Replica food making / indigo dyeing experience requires prior reservation. Children aged 4 or older can participate in the experience. Please contact the guide before booking the tour.
・Many shops in Tsukiji do not accept credit cards, so please bring cash.
・Please inform the guide in advance of any FOOD RESTRICTIONS.
Important message from the supplier
・I am basically available from Thursday through Sunday. As for Monday through Wednesday, please contact me for availability.
・Some of the experiences/visits require prior reservation. Please send a direct message to me before booking a tour.
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 2022
About Tour Guide Keiko O.
Hello! I’m Keiko.
The memories of travels are somehow linked with foods: I absolutely agree with this. How about you? Travel and food are the two things I love, and I would be delighted to share my passion with you!
Before becoming a government licensed guide, I worked for 40 years as a bank manager. Throughout my career, I was always in contact with overseas, communicating with many people from across the world. Also, I lived in London for 3 years and went to elementary school there. Having such a background, I naturally became very much interested in cross-cultural exchange. Whenever I travel abroad, I always try to experience local culture, because it gives me a chance to encounter many interesting things.
As a guide, I wish to not only introduce the beauties and wonders of Japan, but also to take you on a first-hand experience tour of our country, especially focusing on Japanese culinary culture. It will be nice if you can take home what you experienced here and enjoy cooking Japanese dishes in your county – a lasting souvenir! My 40 years’ experience in traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine might be helpful here.
Come and explore Tokyo with me!
Reviews
Todd M.
“Excellent Tour of Tsukiji with Keiko”
Keiko led our family on a first time tour of Tsukiji Market. She met us at our hotel and was ready ahead of schedule before leading us to the market. She provided interesting historical facts and stories along the tour. The itinerary included the perfect mix of sashimi, dried snacks, tea, seafood, fruits, and Matsuzaka & Omi beef. Keiko was friendly, gracious, patient with our 4 year old, and had impeccable English. Her explanations of the food provided a wonderful context, making the experience so much better than if we had toured the market on our own. I would highly recommend this tour for any first time visitors and even repeat visitors to Tsukiji may find this tour helpful. Thank you Keiko for a wonderful tour.
Keiko O.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comments! I felt so happy introducing all the delicacies in the market, especially to a family with a great interest in our food and culture. Your stay in Japan this time may not be long, but since we have so much to offer, please come back from time to time and enjoy various parts of our country and a variety of local foods! Keiko
Raisy M.
“Knowledgeable!”
We had an incredible time in Tokyo. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly thorough. From the moment we met her, it was clear she knew everything there is to know about the history of the city, and we learned so much during our time together. She took us on the subway with ease, making sure we were comfortable with every stop, and even made sure to end each day with clear instructions on how to get to our dinner reservations. She went above and beyond by writing out detailed subway routes for us, which made navigating so much easier! We moved at an unhurried pace in a busy city, which gave us more time to absorb everything she shared. We are grateful for Keiko's dedication and all the insights she provided.
Keiko O.
Thank you very much, Raisy-san, for your wonderful comments! I myself enjoyed very much walking with you for three days, talking about many things. I also learned a lot about your culture and am now enjoying your Canadian delicacies with my family for which I am very grateful. Japan has lots more to explore, so please come back again at different seasons. Thank you once again, and may I ask you to please convey my best wishes also to Rich-san, Tami-san and Matt-san. Keiko
Jennifer B.
“A special day with a very special guide! ”
We hit the jackpot with a last minute booking with Keiko a fabulous guide for Tokyo. When we mentioned our desire for all things food related she took charge and didnt disappoint! Our tour began at the Tsujiki food market and today it was life changing is an understatement. Keiko masterfully guided us through the hundreds of stalls and shops making for the most memorable food experience we’ve ever had. We learned so much and saw things we would have never been able to see or experience on our own. The rest of our tour was also spectacular highlighting various shrines and temples. Keiko answered all of our questions and even helped us purchase train tickets for our future travels. We loved our time with Keiko and highly recommend booking her time for a special tour of Tokyo!
Keiko O.
Jennifer-san, Howard-san, Jack-san and Lauren-san, thank you very much for walking all day long with me. The pleasure was mine, because I love guiding especially when I am with guests with special interest in food! You encouraged me by saying 'we never say NO!', which rang happily in my ears! I hope you are having a fruitful time in Japan, and that you would come back again sometime in the not-too-distant future! Keiko
$325/ per group
More tours by Keiko O.
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