Tokyo food and culture private full-day tour

Highlights

• Toyosu Market
• Tsukiji Honganji Temple
• Sensoji Temple
• Kappabashi Street
• Monjayaki dish

All about the trip

Enjoy an impressive one-day tour inside Tokyo’s two famous fish markets, Toyosu and Tsukiji, as well as other local areas, on this food and cultural shopping themed trip accompanied by a nationally-licensed and experienced guide!

The opening of Toyosu Market in October 2018 was met with much excitement as its predecessor, Tsukiji, had been a mainstay of the wholesale fish market world for decades. Although Toyosu has taken over the title of largest wholesale fish market in the world, Tsukiji still remains a popular tourist attraction. Take a food and cultural shopping-themed tour of both markets accompanied by you experienced private guide.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel to start the day, then take you to visit famous sites such as Toyosu and the outer Tsukiji fish market; Asakusa shopping street, filled with authentic Tokyo street food; and Ueno's Ameyoko and Kappabashi, Japan's kitchenware wonderland.

Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you!

Note 1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

Note 2: This special tour will be conducted with a public transportation and cruising taxi as stated in the tour information, NOT including private vehicle. Your guide will pick you up at the meeting point on foot. If you need a private vehicle, please feel free to ask us and we will estimate an additional cost for you.

Note 3: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

More information:

Toyosu Market (豊洲市場, Toyosu Shijō) opened on October 11, 2018 on the man-made island of Toyosu in the Bay of Tokyo. It took over the wholesale business from the aging Tsukiji Market and provides tourists with an opportunity to observe the market action and to dine at restaurants across its large, modern premises. The huge wholesale market consists of three main buildings: two buildings for seafood and one for fruits and vegetables. All buildings are connected with each other and Shijo-Mae Station via walkways, and tourists can enter them along dedicated routes and view the action from observation windows that look onto the auction and wholesale halls for tuna, other seafood, and produce.

Meet up with your guide at Tsukiji Honganji Temple, just outside the market’s main gate, in the morning. As you navigate your way through this labyrinth of all things seafood, learn from your guide about the market’s history and why many Japan’s top chefs visit here daily to pick up the freshest-quality ingredients. You never know what you might find as you stroll past the stalls of this amazing food center. You might see piles of sea urchin (uni) stacked neatly in boxes, watch as vendors carve massive Bluefin tuna, or spot pufferfish floating in tanks.

One of the favorite pastimes of many a visitor to Japan is going on a souvenir shopping spree, hauling in as many amazing goods and deals as possible. In Ginza, people shop for high-end and trendy fashion in its many department stores and high-class duty-free shops, while Shinjuku is known for its abundance of massive electronics retailers – Tokyo offers many a shopping spree hot spot.

Sensoji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Japan. It looks back on a 1,300 year-long history and is also famous for its entrance gate called Kaminarimon which stands out through its large red lantern. Sensoji itself is not the only reason why you should visit the area. The oldest shopping street in Japan, called Nakamise Dori is located beyond Kaminarimon and leads to the temple's main hall. On Nakamise Dori you can buy traditional Japanese craft items as well as delicious snacks such as fried mochi (glutinous rice cakes).

Nakamise is the most famous shopping street in Asakusa. The street runs for 250 meters on the main approach to Sensoji Temple and is lined on both sides with shops selling traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets. This street is actually on temple property and so it starts and ends with a temple gate: at the southern end is the outer gate of Kaminarimon, and at the northern end is the inner gate of Hozomon. Between these two gates are 89 shops, with 54 shops on the east side, and 35 shops on the west. “Nakamise” is a traditional name given to shopping streets on the grounds of temples or shrines, so this is not the only “Nakamise” in Japan, but it is one of the oldest and most famous.

Kappabashi Street (かっぱ橋道具街, Kappabashi Dōgugai) is a shopping street between Ueno and Asakusa, which is lined with several dozens of stores selling everything needed by restaurant operators, with the exception of fresh food. You will find specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cooking utensils, stoves, tables, chairs, signs, lanterns and more. There are also a few stores that sell plastic and wax food samples, used by many restaurants in their show windows.

Monjayaki is a liquidy, hot, admittedly unattractive dish—but, once you get overlooks and into substance, you’ll forgive its appearance and dive in. A thin batter made with flour and dashi (Japanese stock) forms the base, and with myriad combinations of toppings, there’s something for everyone. If you’ve never tried it—either intentionally like me, or through not knowing it existed—there’s only one place to go in Tokyo, and it’s literally called Monja Street.

One of the best shopping streets in Tokyo, with the well-remained old town “Shitamachi” atmosphere. Explore the nostalgic side of Tokyo through Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street! Yanaka (谷中) is a quiet neighborhood in Taito ward, east Tokyo. The area is known as the old-town district (Shitamachi in Japanese) where nostalgic and rustic vibes are well remained. Yanaka can be accessed from Ueno easily and it’s in walking distance from Ueno Park. Yanaka is a residential and low-key commercial district where many locals live, and old shops and buildings gather. Yanaka Ginza (谷中銀座) is locals’ favorite place to shop, eat, and hang out with neighbors. It’s the most lively part of the district where visitors can feel the true vibes of local activities.

What is included in the price

• Free photos
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Licensed local guide

What is not included in the price

• Food and drinks
• Other personal expenses
• Private vehicle
• Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Instructions

Infant seats available.

Animals or pets allowed.

Public transportation nearby.

Infants must not sit on laps.

Wheelchair accessible.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or anywhere else as per your request on foot. This special tour is conducted by public transportation and NOT including private vehicle.

This activity is organised by Japan Guide Agency, Ejirihigashi2 67-3, Shizuoka City, 424-0815, Japan, booking@j-g-a.org.