Trade the fast-paced side of Tokyo for a calmer side, one that very few people get to see! On this 4-hour tour, you will visit centuries-old, family-run businesses and see the arts, food and Japanese customs that have persevered throughout the ages.

Your adventure centers in the neighborhoods of traditional Ningyocho and the more modern Nihonbashi. During your outing, you will visit a shop that has been specializing in Japanese sweets since 1897, where you will get the chance to try a small sponge cake filled with sweet red bean filling. After which, you’ll make another stop in a gift shop for traditional souvenirs such as calligraphy tools and decorative wares then head to snack shops and sample long-beloved foods such as caramels, fish jerky, Ramune soda, bean paste snacks, and sweet and savory rice crackers. Visit a shamisen shop to learn about this beautiful Japanese musical string instrument and view woven hand towels depicting street scenes at the tenugui shop. We’ll also visit a shop that specializes in a traditional snack: senbei (rice crackers), a favorite in many Japanese households, which is happily gluten and dairy-free.

Other shops on the tour sell seaweed, stationary and toothpicks. Pick up some fish shavings for your fish broth at the 200 year-old katsuobushi shop. Round your shopping out with a special store that sells paper thin golden leaves for ceramics, food and more.

Along the way take a break at one of the local temples where you can visit the shrine, offer up a prayer, and wash a coin for a prosperous life.

Your tour concludes with some sweets at the Nihonbashi information center.

Step back in time with this small tour through the traditional side of Tokyo.

Tokyo is renowned for its vibrant food scene, and what better way to experience it than touring the culinary hot spots with a local? Your English speaking guide will explain the history of the food and places that you visit and share local food traditions and customs.

Your journey into all things delicious begins in Yakitori Alley, near Yurakucho. The birthplace of yakitori, this area offers up many casual bar-style restaurants serving up Japan’s favorite appetizer. Rub elbows with the off-hours working professionals at one of the many restaurants and sample yakitori (skewered BBQ chicken) with the house specialty tare (sauce) along with saki or a local beer.

From there you will make your way to Tsukishima, or Monja Street, so named due to the local creation of Monja-Yaki, a type of pan fried batter. You will have the opportunity to chat with your cook as he finely chops ingredients and adds them to the batter before grilling. Sample your monja-yaki in true local style as you use a small metal spatula to chop your food into pieces and eat them right from the grill with chopsticks.

Conclude your tour at Ginza for a quick lesson in Japanese sweets and drop into a confectionary shop to try a wagashi. Using rice and red beans as a base, these wagashi usually change ingredients and shapes depending on the season.