Tokyo After 5

Tokyo’s vibrant food culture is legendary, and is one of the many reasons why people flock to the Japanese capital. On this Tokyo tour enjoy the food culture of Tokyo from an ordinary businessman’s perspective, as well as the tradition of foods in everyday life of Tokyo.
Throughout your Tokyo food tour, your local guide will explain the history of food and places you visit, sharing with you his own personal experiences and food related family traditions and customs during the tour.
We’ll begin our tour in Yakitori Alley, near Yurakucho, an area with many casual bar-style restaurants and the birthplace of yakitori, one of many Japanese people’s favourite appetizers. As many businessmen and women do after 5pm, we’ll enjoy a drink of sake or a local beer, then sample yakitori at one of the many local restaurants, each with their own “tare” (sauce) mixed with their secret ingredients.
After having a drink to go with the yakitori, we’ll travel to Tsukishima to visit “Monja” Street, where “Monja-Yaki” is said to have originated. Often compared with Okonomi-yaki in Osaka, Monja-yaki is a type of Japanese pan-fried batter with various ingredients. The ingredients are finely chopped and mixed into the batter before grilling. You’ll have the chance to watch your food being cooked, chat with the cook, and devour your Monja-yaki fresh from the hot plate. In true local style, you’ll use a small metal spatula for cutting it to pieces then chopsticks to eat with right from the grill.
On our way back to Yurakucho, we will pick up “tai-yaki”, which literally translates to “grilled carp”, which is actually a cake with red beans inside for dessert. This type of red bean is cooked until it is soft and then mixed with sugar, and is the filling of many traditional Japanese sweets.
We’ll end our delicious Tokyo tour by checking out a local pub for some more drinks, where you’re welcome to stay longer or return to the start point with your guide. Your guide can also recommend other cool local bars in small alleys, or a karaoke place for more fun into the night.