Tokyo Shinjuku Family Food Tour: Private Okonomiyaki & Arcade

Summary

Cook okonomiyaki play retro arcade games explore Shinjuku alleys as a family

You’ll cook your own okonomiyaki with help from a local guide, wander through Shinjuku’s glowing alleys tasting yakitori, laugh together at a Japanese arcade, and end the night with snacks or sake—all captured in candid family photos you’ll want to keep.

What’s the experience like?

“In Japan, we say food tastes better when you make it together,” our guide Yuki grinned, handing us aprons that felt way too big for my son. We were in Shinjuku 3-chome, squeezed around a teppan grill with the smell of cabbage and bonito flakes rising up. I’d never tried flipping okonomiyaki before—my daughter’s came out lopsided but Yuki cheered anyway. The place was noisy in a good way; locals laughing over drinks, someone’s phone playing J-pop quietly in the corner. My hands still smelled like sweet sauce hours later.

After dinner we ducked into Omoide Yokocho—Memory Lane—which is this narrow alley crammed with little bars and yakitori smoke curling above everyone’s heads. It’s not fancy at all, but there’s something kind of magical about the glow of lanterns and people squeezing past each other saying “sumimasen” every two seconds. My husband tried chicken hearts (I passed), and the kids giggled every time someone shouted an order in rapid-fire Japanese. I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable there with my family—you know how some places just feel right?

We hit a retro arcade next. The purikura photo booth made us look like anime characters (my son nearly cried laughing at my huge eyes), and I lost miserably at Mario Kart to both kids. Yuki showed us how to play Taiko Drum Master—he was actually really good—and even bought us melon soda from a vending machine outside when we needed a break. There was this moment where all four of us were just standing under neon lights, sticky with sweat and sugar, and I thought: I hope they remember this part.

The last stop was Golden Gai—a maze of tiny bars stacked almost on top of each other. Adults could try sake tasting (I sipped two kinds; one tasted like flowers, the other…well, not for me), while the kids raided an all-you-can-eat snack bar. Our guide took photos the whole way—some silly, some actually pretty great—and sent them to us after. I still go back through them sometimes when I miss Tokyo nights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shinjuku family food and fun tour

• Make okonomiyaki and monja-yaki
• Enjoy teppanyaki and mingle with locals
• Visit Omoide Yokocho for yakitori tasting
• Chat with locals and try drinks
• Play games at Japanese arcade
• Take photos in purikura booth
• Experience Mario Kart and Wangan racing
• Explore Shinjuku Golden Gai bars
• Taste sake and enjoy snack bar

Top questions

Is this Tokyo Shinjuku food tour private for one family?

Yes, it’s just your group—no strangers join.

What food do we make on this tour?

You’ll make okonomiyaki and monjayaki at a local restaurant.

Are drinks included?

You get one drink of your choice included during dinner.

Is there something for picky eaters?

Yes! The cooking part is hands-on so everyone can choose their toppings.

Do we visit an arcade on this day trip?

Yes—the tour includes time at a retro Japanese arcade for both adults and kids.

Can adults try Japanese sake on this tour?

Yes—there’s a sake tasting stop for adults while kids enjoy snacks.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The experience is wheelchair accessible throughout Shinjuku.

Will our guide take photos for us?

Your guide takes unlimited photos which are edited and sent to you after.

What’s included

Your evening includes private guiding through Shinjuku’s alleys, hands-on okonomiyaki and monjayaki cooking (with dinner and one drink each), time at a Japanese arcade with purikura photos, stops for yakitori tasting and snacks or sake sampling—and unlimited edited family photos from your guide before you head back.