Small Town in the Big City: Tasting Tokyo’s Kichijoji

From$195

6 hours

Max 7 people

Tokyo, JP

About this activity

Our food tour of Tokyo explores the exquisite culinary heritage of a single neighborhood, Kichijoji, sampling our way through old school yakitori joints, gleaming department stores, avant grade taverns, hopping street food stands and much more.

Highlights

Visits a residential neighborhood
Visit a izakaya, or Japanese gastropub
Visit a yokocho drinking alley
Tastings of delicious japanese street food

Full description

Any attempt to fully appreciate Tokyo and its food scene — simultaneously deeply-rooted and constantly changing — is a foolhardy mission. However, there are places where traditions and the communities they nurture are still identifiable. Welcome, then, to Kichijoji, where food-focused rituals unfold everyday and the rhythm of daily culinary life is more accessible.

Our walk begins at a depachika to experience one of Tokyo’s incredible food halls, to try a locals' favourite sushi bar. Along Kichijoji’s bustling shotengai shopping street, we’ll learn about the basics of Japanese cuisine and taste some of them, such as skewers of yakitori and octopus balls. We’ll meet a family of artisanal senbei makers and we'll visit a restaurant dedicated entirely to miso; after some unusual food rarely served outside Japan and expertly-crafted tea and sweets standbys, we'll end at a traditional yokocho drinking alley to sample sake or beer and bar snacks at an izakaya designed by a modernist architect.

Included / Excluded

Guided tour through Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods
Tastings of traditional Greek dishes and local specialties
Wine tasting featuring small Greek producers

Transportation to and from the meeting point

Meeting point

Start Location

Kichijōji Station, 2 Chome-1 Kichijōji-Minamichō, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

Important information

Know before you book

The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Know before you go

Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
Bring a light jacket or sweater as evenings can be cool.
Ensure you have a valid ID if you plan to participate in wine tasting.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund

Reviews

5.0(31 reviews)

Justin Markley

Jun 2026

5.0

We really enjoyed our tour with Dennis, great food and conversation! It was a great introduction to Tokyo and we really appreciated all his helpful tips for navigating the city

Liu Marian

Jun 2026

5.0

My husband booked the Monzen-Nakacho tour a couple of months ago. We wanted to do a food tour in Japan, because did a food tour in another country with another company and had a good time. This tour is the next level. Dennis and Kan (invited by Dennis so we had two guides!) are not only personable and knowledgeable, they know how to break down the barriers for us to learn Japanese culture. My husband understands Japanese food while I’m completely ignorant, and both of us had a wonderful time. We were (apparently) there for the food, but we got to learn the history, beliefs, and culture behind and beyond the food and drinks. Getting to meet locals who are masters of their crafts is another highlight. Dennis and Kan were great in getting us to interact with locals and with each other within our small group. Six hours flew by and it felt like we have known these people for much longer because of the meaningful conversations! Will return for their other food tours when we visit Japan again!

Ditha Rimadiputri

Jun 2026

5.0

I wanted to taste and get a better grasp of Tokyo’s culinary scene, and this tour delivered exactly that. Elly, our wonderful tour guide, shared a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating insights about the city and its food culture. As a professional chef, I left the tour feeling inspired, satisfied, and genuinely impressed by the variety of foods I was able to experience. My biggest thanks go to Elly for guiding us to some of the best bites in Tokyo and making the experience so memorable.