Bucketlist Travels logo

Travel bucket list idea:

Tokyo’s best food & drink

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Last updated: 07 July, 2024

One of the world’s great culinary capitals, Tokyo is often heralded for having more Michelin stars than any other city. But what really makes it special, is that from high-end sushi down to a humble bowl of ramen, there’s so much to try and so much of it is superb.

Sushi epitomizes that best – you could spend several hundred pounds at the most exclusive restaurants or have a quality feed for under £10 at a budget chain.

Across Tokyo’s dining scene, certain traits shine through – the frequent focus on seasonality and culinary technique, and the deep respect for chefs.

Specialisation too – you’ll find no end of shops that have perfected just a single dish, whether that’s ramen, soba noodles, or sumo-sized hotpots.

The dining scene

Make time for a lively night at an izakaya, where you can order small portions of all sorts of classic Japanese flavours (for a reasonable price). These casual pub-slash-restaurants are found all over, from chains to family-run joints – all great for a broad menu of dishes, washed down with sake, beer and hi-balls.

Sushi has become a global phenomenon, but Tokyo does it best – the finest fish, served up anywhere from budget chains to Michelin-starred wallet-busters.

Kaitenzushi restaurants are where the sushi comes on conveyor belts – look out for value chains like Sushiro and Uobei.

Teppanyaki, where seafood and Kobe Beef are cooked on iron griddles in front of diners, is popular across the city. Prices range from super-expensive places such as Ukai-Tei in Ginza to the less exorbitant Ten near Tokyo Station.

Also, for at least one meal, sign up for a kaiseki-ryori lunch or dinner. This Japanese tradition features a succession of dishes that are artfully presented and culinarily sublime. Splurge on a traditional version at Kikunoi in Akasaka or try it with contemporary twists at Tenoshima in Aoyama.

What to try

Char-grilled chicken skewers (yakitori) washed down with beer and sake is a classic combination. You’ll find plenty of izakaya for this under the rail tracks in the Yurakucho district.

Ramen is another popular dish – and though every neighbourhood has its ramen joints, head to Ramen Street in Tokyo station for a collection of shops selling different ramen styles.

Head to the Ryogoku district, the centre of the sumo world, for restaurants that serve chanko nabe – the hotpot that sumo wrestlers eat to get big.

Finally, make sure to participate in a traditional tea ceremony – if you’re lucky, you’ll be presented with delicious Japanese sweets.

Recommendations

8
  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Breakfast table at a ryokan

Bucket List Experience

Kaiseki-ryori dinners in Tokyo

The succession of artistically presented dishes that comprise a kaiseki-ryori dinner has come to represent the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine.

Featuring anywhere up to 12 fixed courses that focus on in-season produce, kaiseki will include some familiar elements, with sashimi early in the dinner, delicate tempura later, and maybe a few mouthfuls of wagyu as a centrepiece. The rest, however, can be wonderfully indecipherable.

Being such an exalted cuisine, kaiseki dinners don’t come cheap – expect to pay at least £100 a head. Or, go for lunch, when many restaurants offer taster sets at a fraction of the price.

Just reserve well ahead – even though Japan has plenty of kaiseki restaurants, they always book up quickly.

They are often served at ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). For a real flavour of traditional Japan, book in for a night at one, and tick off both bucket list experiences at once.

Adult price: £100

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 3-4 hours

Kappo Yoshida

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Close up of a hot pot containing chicken in broth

Experience

One of Ryogoku’s chanko nabe specialists, this restaurant was once a sumo training stable and still has a practice ring at its centre.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

Kyubey Ginza

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Kyubey Ginza

Experience

The restaurant that invented gunkan maki (seaweed wrapped) sushi in the 1940s – has courses from 75 pounds.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

Ramen Street

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

traditional tokyo style ramen with dumpling

Experience

Every neighbourhood has its ramen joints – some that people will queue hours for. Ramen Street in Tokyo station, however, has a collection of shops selling different ramen styles.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten

Bucket List Experience

The Michelin-3-star restaurant, featured in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, only has one thing on the menu – a 200-pound omakase course.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

A classical expression of Japanese hospitality that can last for hours in its most elaborate form, the tea ceremony has been practised for centuries. Every aspect, from where the most important guest is seated to how the host wipes the utensils, has significance. Every movement is choreographed, and for kimono-dressed practitioners, the nuances take years to perfect.

Full versions (around 4 hours) are only for die-hards; shorter versions are available down to a mere 30 minutes, but the shorter it is, the less traditional. There are usually special options for children, and some will include sweet-making.

Even the shortest versions, though, are a great way to experience traditional Japanese culture and formality.

Adult price: £20

Good for age: 13+

Duration: Up to 4 hours

When: On request

Freq: Selected dates

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Most of the ‘inner’ part of this famous wholesale fish market – where massive tunas are lined up for sale – has moved to Toyosu island, but much of it still gets delivered back to Tsukiji and the ‘outdoor’ part remains a bustling and vibrant food market.

With its narrow lanes filled with stalls and shops, the market offers a wide variety of fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and traditional Japanese delicacies. Sample sushi, sashimi, street food, and local snacks as you browse – perhaps even take a sushi breakfast.

Good for age: 13+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

Yurakucho district

  • Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

Office workers in Yurakucho alley, The alley is famous for its small Japanese eateries under elevated Japan Railway rail tracks and its laid back, charming atmosphere.

Experience

Under the rail tracks in the Yurakucho district is the place to go for a bite at a traditional izakaya. Try char-grilled chicken skewers (yakitori) washed down with beer and sake – a classic combination.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 2-3 hours

When: March, May and Sept

Freq: annually

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
Frequency: annually
When: March, May and Sept
Duration: -

Who to go with: organised tours

22

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Tokyo

Are you ready to become a “Sushi Master”? Sushi is represented as Japanese culture therefore making sushi is the best way to enjoy Japanese food!! Our friendly staff help to make one of the best moments in Japan. Let’s dive into Japanese culture together! ▶︎About us Our cooking class was opened in 2023 in Tokyo with the theme of “Japanese Food” and “Experience”. We would like to enjoy “Sushi Making” to more people around the world! ▶︎Menu There are many various types of sushi in Japan, you can learn how to make 2 types of sushi in this class. 1:Nigiri Sushi The most popular and standard sushi style in Japan and it is the origin of sushi! 2:Maki Sushi ( Roll Sushi ) Popular sushi all over the world the type of sushi where the ingredients are rolled by rice. ▶︎Schedule About two hours. Learn about sushi history and try to make sushi first half of class, make as many as you like and eat sushi last half of class. ▶︎Location Our class is located in the center of Asakusa (Just 1 minute from the station) where is the most popular tourist city in Tokyo, and places to visit in a lifetime because there are many unique history and culture.You can also explore historic sites after class! ▶︎Instructor / Staff The local staff who speak English clearly present a fabulous class with enthusiasm. It is sure to be an unforgettable memory of your time in Tokyo! ▶︎About Menu Changes This menu is available. ・Vegan, vegetarian ・Gluten-free ・Halal ・Allergy ( *Not used: Meat, Nuts, Fruits, Dairy ) *If you need to change the menu, please contact us about it when you make a reservation. *We CAN NOT respond on the day. *We DO NOT accept any ingredients specifications.

Price ¥7,200

Min age 4

Rating 4.94 / 5 [1809 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Tokyo

Our cooking class was opened in 2023 at Tokyo. The theme is “Japanese Food” and “Experience”.We would like to enjoy “Japanese food culture” and “Sushi making” to more people around the world! There are many various type of sushi in Japan.In this class, you can learn how to make Maki Sushi (Roll Sushi) and Nigiri Sushi. Nigiri Sushi is the most popular sushi in Japan and it’s origin of sushi.It’s a standard sushi style in Japan! Maki sushi(Roll Sushi) is a type of sushi where ingredients are rolled by rice, and it is popular all over the world.If you practice a lot, you can become a Sushi master! Our cooking class is located in Asakusa.Asakusa is a famous and popular tourist city in Tokyo! Because Asakusa has a lot of history and culture even in Tokyo,so everyone want to visit it at least once.Let’s enjoy sushi making together in Asakusa, Tokyo!!!!

Price ¥7,200

Min age 4

Rating 4.94 / 5 [1103 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Tokyo

Sushi, wagyu beef, desserts. Must-have Japanese food will be served in 3.5 hours while walking around the most famous red-light streets of Shinjuku! Here are the highlights of this tour: ❶ A must-go tour for foodies of all ages where you will explore 3 foodie locations in the vibrant cityscape of Shinjuku. ❷ See an authentic Sushi chef (itamae) create an artisan Nigiri sushi right in front of you with fresh fish. ❸ Indulge in various kinds of Wagyu in an exciting Japanese BBQ Experience. ❹ Cool off as you wander around Kabukicho and enjoy the last meal, which are dessert or 1 drink

Price ¥22,330

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [686 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Tokyo

~~ Best of the Best 2023 Award Winner! ~~~ Ramen and Gyoza are becoming even more famous than Sushi and Tempura in the world. Ramen is a noodle dish with delicious soup and many different toppings. In this class, we will make home-style Ramen. Gyoza is a dumpling with minced pork and vegetable stuffing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make Ramen and gyoza at your home? *We will make the soup from the scratch. We don’t use instant package. *If you have food restrictions and/or food allergies, please let us know in advance. Summary: ● Award winning Japanese Cooking Class in English ● Learn from Chef / YouTuber ● Local Supermarket Tour *Optional ● Visit local home Kitchen studio in Tokyo ● Perfect activity for foodies and cooking lovers ● Perfect for single, family and group travelers ● Easy Access! Located in the center of Tokyo. Check the access page! For more info about this class, please check our website : "YUCa's Japanese Cooking".

Price ¥18,500

Min age 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [623 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Tokyo

Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese food for foreigners. It's easy to eat, but it can be difficult to make. During this tour, you can learn how to make sushi from a professional Sushi master. To be a Sushi master, you have to practice for more than 10 years, but in this workshop, you will learn the simple ins and outs of making Sushi so you can make delicious Sushi yourself. Before the workshop, you will explore the world's biggest and most famous fish market and learn about Japanese food. Sushi topping cannot be changed on the day of the event.

Price $120

Min age 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [425 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >