Tokyo Kichijoji Food Tour: Yakitori, Sushi & Street Eats

Summary

Tokyo’s Kichijoji flavors from yakitori smoke to miso warmth

You’ll taste your way through Tokyo’s Kichijoji neighborhood with stops for yakitori skewers, sushi at a local bar, street snacks, and family-made senbei crackers. Guided by someone who knows every shortcut and story here, you’ll end up in Inokashira Park with tea and sweets — feeling like you belong in Tokyo for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I was expecting neon chaos when I signed up for this Tokyo food tour in Kichijoji, but the first thing I noticed was the smell — not city exhaust, but grilled chicken skewers drifting out of a tiny yakitori place. Our guide, Mika, waved us over like we were regulars. She handed me a skewer still hot from the grill. It was salty-sweet and smoky at once; I burned my tongue a bit but didn’t care. There’s something about eating standing up on a side street while locals squeeze past with shopping bags that makes you feel like you’re part of the city for a second.

We ducked into a department store basement — the famous depachika — which honestly felt more like a museum than a grocery section. Mika pointed out fruit that looked too perfect to eat (she laughed when I asked if anyone actually buys those melons). We tried pickles so sour my face must’ve given me away. Then came the sushi bar: no conveyor belts here, just one old chef moving quietly behind the counter. The rice was still warm and the fish almost melted away — I still think about that bite sometimes.

Walking through Kichijoji’s shotengai shopping street was loud and busy but somehow friendly. We stopped at a family-run senbei shop where three generations worked together — the youngest kid grinned as he handed me a rice cracker straight from the rack. There was also this miso restaurant tucked between shops; it smelled earthy and deep, nothing like what I’d had back home. Mika poured us tiny cups of sake infused with fugu fin (I hesitated but tried it), and after that everything felt warmer somehow. We ended in Inokashira Park with tea and sweets under trees just starting to bud — not sure if it was the sugar or just relief from all that walking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kichijoji food and culture

• Visit Tokyo department store food hall
• Sample sushi at local sushi bar
• Walk Kichijoji shotengai shopping street
• Taste yakitori and octopus balls street-side
• Meet artisanal senbei makers
• Visit miso specialty restaurant
• Sample sake infused with fugu fin
• Taste traditional tea and sweets

Top questions

How long does the Tokyo Kichijoji food tour last?

The tour is structured as a day trip within Tokyo’s Kichijoji neighborhood.

Is lunch included on this food tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with snacks and drinks during the tour.

Are there vegetarian options available?

The reference doesn’t specify vegetarian options; check directly before booking.

Does this tour include Inokashira Park?

Yes, Inokashira Park is included as one of the stops on the itinerary.

Is pickup provided for this Tokyo food tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are nearby.

Are children allowed on this food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of yakitori skewers, sushi at a favorite local spot, artisanal senbei crackers from a family shop, miso dishes rarely found outside Japan, plus bottled water, lunch, snacks, coffee or tea — all while exploring Kichijoji’s lively streets and ending in Inokashira Park.