Sangenjaya Back Alleys Private Food and Drink Tour: Experience Tokyo's Authentic Cuisine

Embark on a private food and drink tour through the back alleys of Sangenjaya in Tokyo. Sample traditional cuisine, cook your own dishes, visit off-the-beaten-track izakayas, and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Experience the vibrant Japanese casual food culture by exploring the finest bars and restaurants on this Tokyo food tour.
The journey begins at a kushikatsu standing bar, where guests can enjoy a variety of skewers, a refreshing drink, and a friendly chat with the welcoming owner, Yoshi. Following this delightful start, the tour continues with a…

What's Included
  • Guided tour of Sangenjaya
  • Visit three unique izakayas
  • Dinner included
  • Sample over 10 Japanese delicacies
  • Taste traditional Japanese drinks like beer, sake, shochu, hoppy, and umeshu
What's Not Included
  • Transport to and from Sangen-jaya station.
  • Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information

• Enjoy a private, all-inclusive, and customizable adventure.
• Discover the narrow, lantern-lit backstreets of the vibrant Sangenjaya, a central neighborhood rarely explored by tourists.
• Savor traditional dishes like kushikatsu, charcoal-grilled meats, sashimi, and more.
• Prepare your own okonomiyaki or monjayaki at a local favorite spot.
• Explore…

Location
Sangenjaya Station
We will meet you in front of the ticket gates at the central exit of Sangenjaya station and will provide detailed instructions on how to reach Sangenjaya from your accommodation a few days before the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(132 Ratings)
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G_g
Apr 11, 2026
Great Tokyo Food Tour - One of the best. Simon was great fun. Very knowledgable, interesting and accommodating. Wonderful food and drinks. A great experience.
Review provided by Viator
C
Apr 8, 2026
Brilliant Experience and great food & drinks - Fantastic guide, amazing food and great to be away from the main tourist areas
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crearb
Mar 30, 2026
Don’t miss this authentic Tokyo experience - Booking a tour with Simon is a must while you are in Tokyo! We had an incredible time exploring hole-in-the-wall spots that we never would have found ourselves, with amazing atmosphere, food and drink. We had warned Simon in advance that my partner was vegetarian and this was no problem, he found us some of the best food we have eaten while in Japan. Simon is also great company and gave us very helpful tips for the rest of our trip! Don’t miss this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mao7210kt
Mar 5, 2026
A tour for incredible memories! - Simon is so knowledgeable having lived in Japan for over 25yrs. He ensured everything was taken care of, the whole tour is meticulously planned and seeing Japan off the beaten track really does make this a memorable trip. I have booked a few tours with Simon- he is funny, has some great stories and really knows his food and drink! If there was one thing to do when going to Tokyo - book this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terren_s
Feb 2, 2026
Fun night out in Tokyo - Our food tour in Sangenjaya with Simon was a highlight of our Tokyo trip! Simon was wonderful; fun, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable about Japanese food culture and local life. He guided us through the vibrant alleys to authentic izakayas truly off the tourist trail. From hidden sake spots - the door to one literally looked like a shelf - to a standing bar and traditional teppanyaki, every stop was a blast! Simon made the evening feel less like a tour and more like exploring the neighborhood with a knowledgeable local friend. Highly recommend!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Review provided by Viator
Jasonlb8717ux
Jan 17, 2026
Awesome food, great guide - Want to second what everyone else has said about Simon, he really knows his way around, orients you to places you wouldn't find alone, and is a hell of a hang!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anne_r
Jan 10, 2026
We had a fantastic... - We had a fantastic experience on this food tour with Simon. It was the perfect mix of delicious food, cultural insight and local story telling. Every stop felt thoughtfully chosen. We visited small family run shops to hidden gems hidden behind secret doors. We would never have found these wonderful venues on our own!! Kudos and thank you Simon!!
Review provided by Viator
B7655ubjeffh
Jan 4, 2026
Incredible experience in Sangenjaya - Simon and this tour are a can't miss experience. This was our second trip to Tokyo, on our last trip two years ago we took this tour with Simon. In planning our trip this year, this and several other tours with him were the anchors of our itinerary. In addition to Sangenjaya we highly recommend his tours in Akabane and Kamakura. They are unique experiences where Simon's personality and knowledge allow him to tailor the tour to the individual group. Simon has a unique ability to quickly asses the vibe and interest of the group then make decisions that take the experience over the top. Because he has such warm and personal relationships with the people working in the restaurants, our plates were never empty and our cups were never dry. We are always amazed by the dollops of information that he drops into conversation that help throughout the rest of our time in Japan. He is truly passionate about providing a unique and incredible experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacob_f
Jan 3, 2026
Absolutely incredible... - Absolutely incredible experience. Simon was terrific, showing us several back-alley bars and local eateries serving delicious meals and tasty drinks. He also went above and beyond to personally recommend several other places to go eat and explore afterwards. I cannot recommend this tour and guide enough.
Review provided by Viator
Arthur_t
Jan 2, 2026
Best private back alley food tour in Tokyo! - Simon’s food tour is a great way to be introduced to off the beaten path eateries frequented by locals. He knows the eateries in the back alleys of Sangenjaya away from the touristy overhyped establishments posted on social media. He is personable and genuinely interested in providing the best eating and drinking experience offered in Sangenjaya. I have booked this tour twice and both were an excellent experience. I highly recommend his food tour. I plan to book his tour on my next trip to Tokyo.
Review provided by Viator
From $187
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).