I’m back in Japan! My first trip was back in 2019, but this time I’ve been exploring Tokyo for the very first time — and it’s safe to say the city is 10/10 on the food spectrum. While evenings have been packed with the excitement of the World Athletics Championships, my days have been all about food, culture, and soaking in Tokyo’s electric energy.
Two Food Tours (Of Course!)
No trip of mine would be complete without a couple of food tours — and both in Tokyo turned out to be unforgettable.
1. Hidden Gems of Ueno & Taito City
Our first food tour ended up being an unexpected private experience, thanks to a lucky twist of timing. Our guide, Shonan, took us off the tourist trail and into some real local gems in Ueno and Taito City — some of which we never would have found (or been allowed into!) without him.
We sampled an amazing range of dishes, including:
Fresh sushi that melted in the mouth
Steamed and deep-fried gyoza—crispy perfection on the outside, juicy on the inside
Ramen kamo to negi – a rich and flavourful duck and dipping soba noodle set
And to finish… a refreshing Matcha tea ice cream
A culinary journey in just a few hours — and one that leaves so many great memories.
2. Sushi & Socialising in Shinjuku
Our second tour took place in the buzzing neighbourhood of Shinjuku — this time with a full group of fellow foodies: 4 from the USA and 4 from Manchester (hello, fellow Brits!). Our energetic guide, Nobuto, led us to three fantastic restaurants, each showcasing a different side of Japanese cuisine.
The highlight? The sushi restaurant — hands down. Beautiful presentation, incredibly fresh fish, and a calm, authentic setting right in the heart of Shinjuku.
Market Vibes & Techy Cafés
Outside of the tours, I also made time to visit the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. It has a lively, bustling vibe, full of sizzling street food, and yes—giant oysters that looked absolutely unreal.
Another standout? DAWN Avatar Robot Cafe. This isn’t your usual coffee stop. It’s a permanent, experimental café operated by OryLab Inc, where people who are unable to leave their homes or hospitals operate avatar robots to serve customers remotely. An incredibly moving and futuristic experience that combines tech and human connection in a way I won’t forget.
A Few Final Thoughts…
Japan is one of those places that completely sweeps you up — the food, the people, the culture, and even the small everyday details like subway etiquette or vending machine drinks are fascinating.
Oh — and don’t let those plastic food displays in restaurant windows put you off. I promise, some of our best meals came from these humble-looking spots!
Have you been to Japan? I’d love to hear your favourite foodie finds — drop us a comment or share your own delicious memories. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, Japan always has something new (and tasty) to offer.
