Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 159 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour worth booking?
Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour is a 5.5-hour experience in Tokyo, Japan, from $154 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 159 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (159)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $154 per person
This 5.5 hours tour takes you on a journey through time, through food! Spanning three geographical districts of Tokyo and three periods of time this food tour covers the foundation of Japanese food and cooking (the Edo p
What you get
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
About this experience
This 5.5 hours tour takes you on a journey through time, through food! Spanning three geographical districts of Tokyo and three periods of time this food tour covers the foundation of Japanese food and cooking (the Edo period), the most popular present-day foods in Japan and finishes in the future with some fusion twists on traditional flavours. Visit Nihonbashi, Ginza / Tokyo Station and Akihabara. Enjoy 14 Japanese food tastings. Come hungry! You will need to be able to walk at a reasonable pace in a group environment and should expect to walk about 6.5 km or 4 miles in total over the 5.5 hours. You will also need to be able to walk up and down a large of number of stairs at subway stations. If you are not able to meet the walking requirement, the small group tour is not suitable for you, please contact us to change to a private tour.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- The costs of transport used during the tour are payable by yourself. We take two short subway rides.
What you'll see and do
Nihonbashi
Starting in Nihonbashi, in the past, we will look at key ingredients and flavours that underpin Japanese food. We will learn about Dashi, the stock that forms the base of many Japanese dishes. We will focus in on two key ingredients; Katsuobushi and Kelp. From there we will enjoy some traditional Japanese snacks that have been eaten for generations. Satsuma-age (fried fish cake), Amazake (a healthy fermented rice drink), Imo Kenpi (sweet potato chips) and Daifuku (glutinous rice mochi with a sweet filling). All of the shops that we have chosen have been carefully curated. All are over 100 years old, several date back to the Edo period itself!
90 minutes here
Nihonbashi Bridge
Nihonbashi Bridge
Pass by without stopping
Fukutoku Shrine
Fukutoku Shrine: Discover the differences between Shrines and Temples. Learn how to cleanse your spirit and pray at a shrine.
10 minutes here
Ginza
Arriving into Ginza / Yurakucho we learn about how Japan industrialised after the war. With industrialisation came Salarymen and with Salarymen came Gado Shita’s (small bars and restaurants built under the railway tracks) to serve the working men before their commute home. We will eat and drink like Salarymen at an Izakaya (Japanese style pub) and noodle stall under the tracks. On our menu we have Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), a Sour (an alcoholic drink which is unique to Japan) and tempura soba or curry udon ( noodle soup dishes).
70 minutes here
Arriving into Ginza / Yurakucho we learn about how Japan industrialised after the war. With industrialisation came Salarymen and with Salarymen came Gado Shita’s (small bars and restaurants built under the railway tracks) to serve the working men before their commute home. We will eat and drink like Salarymen at an Izakaya (Japanese style pub) and noodle stall under the tracks. On our menu we have Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), a Sour (an alcoholic drink which is unique to Japan) and tempura soba or curry udon ( noodle soup dishes).
70 minutes here
Tokyo International Forum
From the railway tracks of Ginza and Yurakcho, we stroll to Tokyo Station calling in at the impressive International Forum Building on the route.
15 minutes here
Kitte Marunouchi
Kitte Building
10 minutes here
Tokyo Station Marunouchi Ekimae Hiroba
At Tokyo Station we will try some foods popularly eaten on a commute home; Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and a Fruits Sando (Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream).
20 minutes here
Daimaru Tokyo
At Tokyo Station we will try some foods popularly eaten on a commute home; Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and a Fruits Sando (Japanese milk bread sandwich filled with fresh fruits and whipped cream).
20 minutes here
Akihabara
Arriving in Akihabara, an area famous for its many electronics shops, Maid Cafes and Anime culture, we consider the future of food in Japan. We will be trying a selection of desserts which combine traditional foods or flavours with a modern fusion twist. In addition to our three fusion desserts, we will discuss Akihabara’s prominence in bringing new technology, ideas and subcultures to Japan.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tokyo
Nihonbashi Subway Station Exit B12.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hello! Tokyo Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- You will be granted a full refund (excluding booking and administration charges) if you cancel more than 24 hours in advance of your tour. There are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour or if you are late for the tour.
- You will need to be able to walk at a reasonable pace in a group environment and should expect to walk about 6.5 km or 4 miles in total over the 5.5 hours. You will also need to be able to walk up and down a large of number of stairs at subway stations. If you are not able to meet the walking requirement, the small group tour is not suitable for you, please contact us to change to a private tour.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 159 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
159 verified traveler reviews for Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Opens a new door to Tokyo’s food culture
Enjoyed many things I would never find by myself
via Tripadvisor
Amazing food and history!
Mike gave us an amazing tour of the past, present, and future of Japanese cuisine, covering three different areas of Tokyo. She also provided the history to compliment what we tried, and we stopped at a Shinto shrine. It's a lot of walking and several short subway rides.
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring Tokyo's food culture with Miko. She'll be delighted to hear you appreciated her knowledge, the historical insights, and the mix of food, culture, and sightseeing throughout the tour. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Energetic Exploration with Andrew
A combination of sightseeing and tastings in three different neighborhoods of the city. We enjoyed Andrew‘s insight and his expertise. Thirteen year old says: “Very knowledgeable guide, great locations, interesting.” And he wants to go back to the same udon place for lunch today.
Response from the operator: Hi! Thank you so much for for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the combination of sightseeing and tastings across three different neighborhoods, and that Andrew was able to make the day both insightful and enjoyable for your family. It’s wonderful to know his guidance stood out. We especially loved hearing your 13-year-old’s feedback—and that the udon spot made such a strong impression! Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable Tokyo experience in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Tokyo in a day!
Yasu was such a lovely guide. He was very thoughtful in choosing locations to visit in Tokyo for us. He shared wonderful historical information which we loved. He was extremely knowledgeable and very kind. His love for Tokyo showed! Having him meet us at your hotel and return us to our hotel eliminated any type of worry trying to navigate Tokyo on our own! It was an amazing 5 hour private tour. I’d highly recommend booking a private guided tour with Yasu.
Response from the operator: Hi T, thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with Yasu. It’s great to know he was thoughtful in planning your route and that you appreciated the mix of historical insights and modern Tokyo highlights. We’re also glad the hotel pick-up and drop-off made your day more comfortable and stress-free—especially when exploring a busy city like Tokyo. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Yasu. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Best ever
Andrew is thebideal guide for this tour. His knowledge experience and dedication was incredible. He never rushed, get ready for a long day full of experiences.
Response from the operator: Hi! Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with Andrew. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed a full and immersive day without feeling rushed. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Andrew. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $154 to $176
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 56
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tokyo.
How much does Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $154 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tokyo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour take?
+
Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tokyo is not rushed.
Is Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 159 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable food & drink in Tokyo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour?
+
No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour?
+
Around 56 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tokyo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tokyo and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tokyo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tokyo?
+
Tokyo is less a city than a stack of neighborhoods with completely different opening hours. A guided food crawl through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho gets you past the no-tourist curtains, while the day trips west to Hakone and Fuji need an early start to be worth the fare. Our ranking weighs guide quality heavily here, because in Tokyo the guide is the product. On Outty we rank every Tokyo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tokyo Shinjuku Chopsticks Making Class, Tokyo : Asakusa Chopsticks Making Class, Shinjuku Night Food and Bar Crawl. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
+
Late March to May for blossom, October to November for clear Fuji views. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Flavours of Tokyo: A Journey Through Time - Small Group Food Tour.
Pick your date
