Food, Glorious Food: Tokyo’s Top Culinary Experiences

Eccentric and wonderfully elusive, Tokyo is one of the world’s top foodie capitals, offering a brainblast of tantalising flavours laced with intricate traditions. Deep dive into the world of izakayas, yakitori and other mouthwatering delights with these illuminating culinary experiences. 

Hachikari Cooking School: Customised Cooking Classes

This sleek kitchen in glitzy Ginza is where you’ll find Mutsukari Restaurant’s star chefs Akiyama, Mayu and Ariga leading tailormade classes in English. Courses span the fundamentals of Japanese washoku to veggie/vegan techniques and advanced boot camps, plus our fave, ‘Gorgeous Party Food’, all taught to your personal taste and ability. An assortment of wine or sake keeps things lubricated; once your three hours are up you’ll be armed with a recipe book and skills worthy of your own episode of Chef’s Table.

Taste of Culture: Market Tours and Culinary Arts Programs

Tsukiji's wholesale market and auction house might have swum off to new digs in Toyosu, but the labyrinthian outskirts, heaving with flip-fresh fish stalls and sushi spots are still well worth a visit. And there’s no one better than chef, sommelier, shochu expert and author of Food Sake Tokyo Yukari Sakamoto to lead you by the hand, dishing up practical know-how and insider secrets along the way. Alternatively, sign up for one of food writer extraordinaire Elizabeth Andoh’s hands-on classes on all things washoku.

Context Travel: Tokyo After Dark Food Tour

Step out at the mad scramble of Shibuya Crossing and taste your way through this electryifying nabe’s colourful culinary offerings. Context’s docent-led nighttime foray weaves you down neon-clad Dogenzaka and Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard’s Alley), dipping in and out out of hidden izakayas to sample craft beers and scrumptious skewers. Expect to uncover Japanese food etiquette and traditions often overlooked by the untrained eye – hai!


Hachikari Cooking School / 8/F / Tokyo Ginza Pony Bldg / 5-5-19 Ginza / Chuoku / +81 35568 6266 / hachikari.com

Taste of Culture / tasteofculture.com

Context Travel / contexttravel.com