A 4-Day Foodie Itinerary in Tokyo

  • Day 1: Sushi, Sake, and Markets
  • Start your food journey in Tokyo by indulging in the freshest sushi from the popular Tsukiji Market. Sample different flavors of sake at Ichibandori Shokudo, a standing bar popular with locals. Explore the Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa, lined with traditional Japanese souvenir shops and snack stalls.

  • Day 2: Ramen, Izakaya, and Whisky
  • Experience authentic Japanese comfort food with a visit to Rokurinsha, famous for its rich and flavorful tsukemen ramen. For dinner, try a variety of Japanese tapas at an izakaya like Yamariki in Meguro. End the night by sampling a wide range of Japanese whisky at Bar Ben Fiddich in Shinjuku.

  • Day 3: Teppanyaki, Gyoza, and Matcha
  • Order melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef at Mon Cher Ton Ton, a chic teppanyaki restaurant in Shibuya. Wash it down with ice-cold beer and crispy pan-fried gyoza at Harajuku Gyoza Lou. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Nanaya, a specialty matcha shop that offers matcha gelato with seven levels of intensity.

  • Day 4: Tempura, Yakitori, and Nightlife
  • Crunch on airy and light tempura at Tempura Fukamachi in Ochanomizu. Taste perfectly grilled chicken skewers called yakitori at Tori Shinjuku while sipping on cold Japanese beer. End the trip by exploring Tokyo's nightlife scene at Golden Gai - a street packed with tiny bars that can only seat a few patrons.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Tsukiji Market (1-2 hours, varies depending on the amount of sushi eaten)
  • Ichibandori Shokudo (1 hour, ¥2,000-¥3,000)
  • Nakamise Shopping Street (1 hour, no cost)
  • Rokurinsha (1 hour, ¥1,000-¥2,000)
  • Yamariki (1-2 hours, ¥4,000-¥5,000)
  • Bar Ben Fiddich (2 hours, ¥3,000-¥6,000)
  • Mon Cher Ton Ton (1 hour, ¥8,000-¥15,000)
  • Harajuku Gyoza Lou (1 hour, ¥1,000-¥2,000)
  • Nanaya (30 mins, ¥800-¥1,000)
  • Tempura Fukamachi (1 hour, ¥10,000-¥20,000)
  • Tori Shinjuku (1-2 hours, ¥3,000-¥5,000)
  • Golden Gai (2-3 hours, no cost)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ¥36,800-¥61,000

Transportation

To easily navigate Tokyo's busy streets, consider purchasing a Suica card. It is a prepaid card that allows you to pay for most public transportation options, including trains, subways, buses, and even taxis. Taxis will be more expensive than public transportation and may not be the fastest option during rush hour. Be sure to also take note of last train timings when planning your itinerary, especially if you plan on staying out late.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Kamakura to visit its famous Great Buddha and enjoy its beautiful beaches. For those with less time, shorten each day's itinerary to focus only on one or two food destinations. Be sure to make reservations in advance for popular restaurants to avoid long wait times or being turned away due to unavailable seats.

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