Tokyo Shibuya Food Tour: Backstreet Izakayas & Local Eats

Summary

Shibuya flavors, smoky izakaya corners, laughter and sake shared

You’ll wander Shibuya’s buzzing backstreets with a local guide, taste yakitori straight off the grill, try real sake in hidden izakayas, and get honest tips for Tokyo eats beyond the tour. Expect laughter, new flavors—and maybe a few surprises you’ll remember long after dinner.

What’s the experience like?

“You can’t rush good yakitori,” said our guide Jun, poking at the skewers with the kind of focus you only see in people who’ve done something a thousand times. We’d just squeezed into this tiny place down one of Shibuya’s side streets — I honestly would’ve walked right past it if I’d been alone. The air was thick with that grilled chicken smell and a little tang of soy sauce. Someone behind us laughed so hard their beer almost tipped over. It felt like we’d crashed a local party, but nobody seemed to mind.

We started at Hachiko — that famous dog statue, which Jun called “Shibuya’s meeting point for lost souls.” Crossing the scramble was surreal (I tried counting people but gave up). Then suddenly we were ducking into Center-Gai’s narrow alleys, neon everywhere, but inside the first izakaya it was all wood and chatter and those little hot towels they hand you before eating. I burned my tongue on the first sip of miso soup — classic me — but honestly it was worth it. The tempura came out next: light as air, not greasy at all. I still think about that crunch.

Dogenzaka was louder somehow, even though the streets got narrower. Jun led us to another spot where the chef nodded but didn’t say much — just slid plates our way: crispy tonkatsu, then these little sushi rolls that tasted way fresher than anything I’ve had back home. We tried two kinds of sake (“Say ‘kanpai’!” Jun grinned) and I definitely butchered my pronunciation. Nobody cared; everyone just laughed and clinked glasses again.

I left full — not just from food but from all those small moments: steam on my glasses when we stepped inside; sticky tables; stories about salarymen winding down after work; Jun scribbling extra restaurant names on my map for later. There’s something about being shown around by someone who knows every shortcut and every menu scribble in Shibuya. Makes you feel less like a tourist for a night, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Shibuya's local food spots

• Pass by Hachiko statue
• Walk across Shibuya Scramble Crossing
• Visit local izakaya in Center-Gai
• Explore Dogenzaka Street restaurants
• Try different kinds of Japanese sake

Top questions

How many food stops are included in this Shibuya food tour?

The tour includes visits to four different local food stops in Shibuya.

Is dinner included on this Tokyo food tour?

Yes, enough food is served throughout the tour to make up a satisfying local dinner.

Are drinks provided during the Shibuya food tour?

The experience includes two complimentary drinks—alcoholic or non-alcoholic options available.

Does this tour include walking across Shibuya Crossing?

Yes, you’ll walk across the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing as part of the route.

Will we visit touristy places or more local spots?

The guide focuses on authentic local izakayas in Shibuya’s backstreets that are rarely visited by foreigners.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this Tokyo food tour?

Yes, an expert English-speaking local guide leads the group through Shibuya.

Are public transportation options nearby for getting to the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to where the tour starts in Shibuya.

What’s included

Your evening includes four stops at real local eateries in Shibuya with an English-speaking guide leading your way; enough dishes for a full dinner plus two complimentary drinks—alcoholic or not—and plenty of tips for where to eat next in Tokyo after your last bite together.