Tokyo
The bustling metropolis of Tokyo is a wonderland for food adventurers wanting to check out the vast range of Japanese cuisine. Michelin-starred restaurants, back alley izakaya bars, the world’s largest fish market, Tokyo has endless experiences for adventurous foodies.
Indulge in steaming bowls of ramen, fresh sushi, and sashimi, along with tasty okonomiyaki and yakitori, as the city presents an unlimited array of choices for those seeking to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of Japanese flavours. Wash it all down with an excellent craft beer, sake or Japanese whiskey.
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Eating and Drinking in Tokyo
Tokyo has something for every foodie wanting to dip their tastebuds into the wonderful world of Japanese cuisine. Just some of our highlights are:
- Treat yourself to a coffee in Tokyo – a good barista in Japan is a meticulous craftsman, where their attention to detail in brewing the perfect cup of coffee every single time is a work of art in itself. Bypass the coffee chain stores and head to a specialty coffee shop – a couple of our favourites are All Seasons Coffee in Shinjuku (a second store has also opened in Ikebukuro), or Turret Coffee Tsukiji (near the Tsukiji Fish Market).
- No visit to Tokyo is complete without a wander around the Tsukiji Fish Market. Whilst the Inner market relocated to a more modern facility at the Toyosu Fish Market in 2018, you can still wander the stalls and restaurants in the Outer market at Tsukiji, and taste some of the amazing seafood available. The Toyosu Fish Market is officially the largest in the world, and is famed for its tuna auctions (a lottery is held for spots to watch the auction, spaces are very limited). It is recommended to visit both markets very early in the mornings, and the two markets are about three kilometres apart.
- Enroll in one of a wide variety of cooking classes that are available in Tokyo. Learn to make everything from delicious sushi, to discovering the secret to a perfect ramen broth, and how to make your gyozas crispy and crunchy. And at the end of your class, feast on the fruits of your labour!
- Tokyo has the most Michelin star rated restaurants in the world, with over 400 restaurants currently listed in their guide as having 1, 2 or 3 stars, or rated as a Bib Gourmand restaurant (restaurants that have been rated as good quality for good value). Dining out at a Michelin rated restaurant in Tokyo does not need to be an expensive night out, some of the best ramen, soba, tonkatsu, curry and even pizza can be sampled on a budget.
- Spend a few hours bar-hopping around the iconic nightlife district that is the Golden Gai, in Shinjuku. There are over 200 tiny bars crammed into a network of six narrow pedestrian alleys, and each bar usually fits no more than half a dozen people at one time. A lot of the bars are themed (such as books or movies for example), and most usually open around 9pm or 10pm.
- Visit Kappabashi Street (also known as Kitchen Town), in Asakusa. There are over 170 kitchenware shops in the space of 800 metres that sell everything from Japanese ceramics and pottery, to chopsticks, to Japanese knives, to plastic food samples for display purposes (so you can get a plate of sushi that never goes off!).
- Cap off your Tokyo adventure by seeking out the weirdest item from a vending machine. There seems to be a vending machine on every corner, and whilst most sell regular items like soft drinks and coffee, some of the more unusual items that can be purchased are insect snacks, bananas, and cake in a can. Just be cautious not to mistake that bottle of dashi cooking stock for a soft drink!