Tokyo: Night Food Tour Ginza, Monja Street & Yakitori Alley

Summary

Tokyo food tour after dark with monja yaki and yakitori stops

You’ll wander Tokyo’s Ginza under neon lights with a local guide before tasting wagashi sweets and tackling monja-yaki on Monja Street. End up in Yakitori Alley sharing sake or beer with new friends as laughter echoes around you. This tour isn’t just about food—it’s about slipping into Tokyo’s nighttime rhythm for a few hours.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I got lost looking for the Lion statue outside Mitsukoshi Ginza. It’s bigger than you’d think, but the crowds are wild after 5pm. Our guide, Yuki, waved me over with a grin and just like that, we were off into Tokyo’s nighttime pulse. The air smelled like rain on concrete and something sweet — wagashi maybe? We tried those first, soft and delicate, not too sugary. I tried to say “thank you” in Japanese and the shop owner smiled so wide I felt like I’d passed some secret test.

Ginza at night is just… wow. All neon and reflections, people moving fast but somehow never bumping into each other. Yuki pointed out Itoya — a stationery store that apparently has more floors than my apartment building back home. We wandered a bit before squeezing onto the subway (two stops, not bad), heading for Monja Street in Tsukishima. If you’ve never cooked monja-yaki at your own table while steam fogs your glasses — well, it’s messier than it looks on YouTube. My spatula skills were questionable but the locals didn’t seem to mind; one guy next to us gave me a thumbs-up when I finally got a bite off the grill.

The last stop was Yakitori Alley in Yurakucho. It’s loud there — laughter bouncing off old bricks, trains rattling overhead every few minutes. We squeezed into a tiny spot where the chef barely looked up from his grill but still managed to pour us sake without spilling a drop. Each yakitori place has its own tare sauce; Yuki joked that if you ask for their recipe they’ll just laugh at you (I didn’t try). Sitting there with beer in hand, smoke in my hair, and everyone talking at once — I still think about that view down the alley, all lanterns and shadows. Didn’t want to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening food and culture tour in Tokyo

• Meet at Mitsukoshi Ginza Lion statue
• Enjoy Wagashi sweets tasting
• Stroll through vibrant Ginza district
• Visit Itoya stationery store
• Take subway to Monja dining area
• Cook and eat Monja on grill
• Visit Yakitori Alley in Yurakucho
• Enjoy yakitori with sake or beer

Top questions

Where does the Tokyo food tour start?

The tour meets at Mitsukoshi Ginza, right by the Lion statue facing Chuo Street.

What foods do you try on this Tokyo night food tour?

You’ll taste wagashi sweets, cook monja-yaki on Monja Street, and eat yakitori skewers in Yakitori Alley.

Is public transport included during the tour?

Yes, two subway tickets are included so you can travel between neighborhoods like a local.

How many people are on this small group tour?

The group is limited to 8 guests for an intimate experience.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

No, unfortunately this tour cannot cater to vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets.

Is alcohol included in the Tokyo food tour?

You can choose two drinks—sake, beer or soft drinks—during your stops.

What age do you have to be to drink alcohol on this tour?

The legal drinking age in Tokyo is 20; guests under 20 get non-alcoholic drinks only.

How much walking is involved?

A moderate amount of walking is required; comfortable shoes are recommended.

What’s included

Your evening includes all tastings—wagashi sweets in Ginza, hands-on monja-yaki on Monja Street, yakitori skewers in Yurakucho—with two drinks of your choice (sake, beer or soft drink), two subway tickets so you travel like a local between neighborhoods, plus stories and tips from your English-speaking guide before ending where Tokyo nightlife buzzes brightest.