Sangenjaya Back Alleys Private Food and Drink Tour

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.