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Sangenjaya Back Alleys Private Food and Drink Tour

Tokyo, Japanby Tokyo Memories

  • 4 hours
  • Free cancellation
  • Instant confirmation
  • Private tour
  • Mobile or paper ticket accepted
  • Guide: Japanese, English

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Overview

•Private, fully inclusive and customizable experience. •Explore the narrow lantern lit back alleys of funky Sangenjaya, a central neighbourhood not often visited by tourists. • Try traditional foods such as kushikatsu, charcoal grilled meat, sashimi and much more. • Cook your own okonomiyaki or monjayaki in a local institution. • Visit three off the beaten track izakayas specially selected by your guide. • Meet the locals in a tiny but raucous kushikatsu standing bar. • Try unusual Japanese drinks such as Hoppy, shochu and sake. • Experience Tokyo's real nightlife away from the tourist crowds. • Eat and drink what you like. • Flexible start times.

What's included

  • Guided tour of Sangenjaya
  • Visit three off the beaten track izakayas where you'll experience a wide variety of dishes
  • Dinner
  • Try a minimum of 10 delicious Japanese delicacies recommended by your guide
  • Experience an array of traditional drinks including beer, sake, shochu, hoppy and umeshu
  • Transport to and from Sangen-jaya station.
  • Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

You will experience Japanese casual food culture, visit best bars and restaurants at this Tokyo food tour. We will start by stopping by a kushikatsu (deep fried meat, fish and vegetables on skewers) standing bar for a selection of skewers, a beer/dirnks and a chat with the friendly owner, Yoshi. After this appetizer we will head out for a stroll through the alleys of Sangenjaya. We will visit a robatayaki (charcoal grill) restaurant where you will try some delicious grilled dishes including more unique game meats such as deer or wild boar. We will then head to a teppanyaki restaurant where you will learn about and cook your own monjayaki or okonomiyaki. The smells, tastes and sights will leave you with an unforgettable memory of your trip. The Izakaya experience Izakaya are a quintessential part of Japanese drinking culture and a trip to Japan would not be complete without a visit to one. What is an Izakaya? It is hard to define but an Izakaya is often translated as a pub or a tavern but this doesn’t really answer the question. Izakaya are part pub and part restaurant and are basically places where friends or coworkers gather over drinks and food for a good time.  And the best Izakayas are the place where only locals know. Have a chance to visit them with local Japan guide at this Tokyo food tour. Dishes in Izakaya The food might be described as ‘small plates’ and can consist of everything from yakitori to sashimi to fried chicken or pickles and edamame. Dishes are ordered and shared amongst everyone. This allows everyone to get a taste of everything that is ordered. It’s a great where to sample a large variety of dishes accompanied by a cold drink and good conversation. The yokocho Yokocho are one of Japans best kept food and drink secrets, consisting of networks of small alleys crammed with tiny bars, restaurants and cafes, they offer a unique experience and an insight into Japan’s after dark habits. You will find all walks of life crammed into tiny bars, sharing stories with strangers and the master/mama-san of the bar. These bars are not fancy but you’ll find all kinds of delicious food in Japan and drink on offer, the clientele friendly and the atmosphere unique. Yokocho are dotted all over Tokyo and hark back to a yesteryear that many tourists don’t think still exists in this huge metropolis. Sangenjaya Sangenjaya or Sancha to locals gets its name from the three Edo era tea houses that were located on the route to old Edo. Sancha whilst only one stop from Shibuya and a popular area for local Tokyoites remains somewhat unknown to visitors often overshadowed by the nearby hipster hangout of Shimokitazawa and the big city lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku and this is one of its many charms.

Meeting and pickup

We will meet you in front of the ticket gates at the central exit of Sangenjaya station and will provide detailed instructions on how to reach Sangenjaya from your accommodation a few days before the tour.

End point

We will meet you in front of the ticket gates at the central exit of Sangenjaya station and will provide detailed instructions on how to reach Sangenjaya from your accommodation a few days before the tour.

Good to know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The legal drinking age: in Japan is 20. Soft drinks will be served to those under the age of 20
  • Dietary Requirements: Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements and we will make sure you are catered to.
  • Sharing: We will be experiencing izakaya the Japanese way and so sharing plates between the group. (Don't worry you will be full!)
Show all 10
  • Group Size: To keep things friendly and allow us access to some of the smaller and more unique places we prefer to keep group sizes from 2-6 people although we are able to cater to large groups to
  • Smoking is permitted in most bars and restaurants in Japan and therefore we don't advise pregnant travelers to join this tour
  • There will be some light walking involved on this tour through narrow back streets so comfortable footwear is recommended.
  • Solo travelers are very welcome

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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