Tokyo Food Tour in Ueno: 10+ Tastings of Japanese Classics

Yakitori, gyoza, sushi, matcha ice cream and beer: ten tastes of Ueno in one afternoon.

A food tour of Tokyo's Ueno district with a local English-speaking guide leading you through Ameyoko market and surrounding streets for 10+ tastings of Japanese classics — yakitori, gyoza, sushi, seasonal fruit, matcha ice cream and tea. The itinerary and menu shift based on what's available that day and any dietary needs you mention in advance. You'll walk through the market, under the elevated train tracks (called "shotengai"), past Ueno Park and its shrines, tasting at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ueno's food and culture

• Visit Ameyoko Shopping Street
• Walk under elevated train tracks
• Stroll through Ueno Park
• See the Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu
• Visit Buddhist worship center

The Experience

The tour starts in Ameyoko, the indoor-outdoor market that fills the Ueno district with stalls selling food, gifts and apparel. Your guide — a local who speaks English — leads you through the crowd, stopping at vendors and small restaurants to taste yakitori (grilled skewered chicken), gyoza or beef croquettes, fresh sushi, and seasonal fruit. The market sits in the shadow of elevated train tracks; the area under them is called "shotengai" in Japanese, and it's where much of the eating happens.

Between tastings you walk past Ueno Park, the sprawling green space built on the grounds of what was once Edo's largest temple. The park draws locals and tourists year-round, and in spring it's famous for cherry blossoms. You'll also pass a Shinto shrine built in 1627 to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and a Buddhist temple in quiet, landscaped grounds. The walk is steady — comfortable shoes matter — but the stops and the food break it up.

The tour includes two types of tea, one draft beer, water, and creamy matcha ice cream at the end. Because the menu depends on what's fresh and what the vendors have that day, it shifts from one departure to the next. If you have dietary requirements, let the operator know before you book so they can plan around it.

What’s included

• A local English-speaking guide for the full 3.5 hours.
• yakitori, gyoza or beef croquettes, fresh sushi and seasonal fruit.
• matcha ice cream.
• two types of tea and one draft beer.
• water throughout the walk.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Secret Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want the guide's full attention and flexibility to linger at stops that catch your interest; choose the small group tour if you'd rather share the experience and the cost with other food-focused travelers.

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Top questions

How much walking is involved in the Ueno food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking through Ameyoko market, under the elevated train tracks, and past Ueno Park and its shrines over the 3.5 hours. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What exactly do I taste on this food tour?

You'll taste 10+ items including yakitori (grilled skewered chicken), gyoza or beef croquettes, fresh sushi, seasonal fresh fruit, matcha ice cream, and two types of tea plus one draft beer. The exact menu changes based on what's available at the vendors that day.

Is this tour private or in a group?

You can choose between a private tour or a small group tour when you book. Both include the same guide, tastings and route through Ueno.

What is Ameyoko and why is it part of this tour?

Ameyoko is a popular indoor-outdoor market in the Ueno district packed with shops selling food, gifts and apparel. It's where much of the eating happens on the tour, and the vendors and small restaurants scattered through it are where you'll stop for most of your tastings.

Can I do this tour if I have dietary restrictions?

Yes — contact the operator in advance of your tour date to let them know about any dietary requirements, and they'll arrange the tastings to fit your needs.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes all 10+ tastings, two types of tea, one draft beer, water, and a local English-speaking guide for 3.5 hours. Hotel pickup and gratuities are not included.