Tokyo Underground Food Tour
Discover the origins of Tokyo’s subway and how locals use this essential lifeline in the world’s most populous metropolis.
Experience Tokyo’s hidden underbelly with this 100% underground tour. From the start, every stop on this tour is on the B1 floor or lower, making for a totally unique exploration of the luxury district of Ginza. This tour will open up a whole new world amidst the vibrant subterranean culture as you become part of the thousands of people who use the station for work and play as part of their everyday life.
Discover public art displays hidden in plain sight and learn about the history and importance of this vital hub. You’ll learn how the original Ginza subway line’s station area grew into its present configuration and the years-long modernization project leading up to the Tokyo 2020 summer games.
Along the way, you’ll experience the “locals-only” flavors of everyday Japanese life. Enjoy Japan’s most ubiquitous grab-and-go snack, and learn how to eat it!
Visit a traditional Japanese kissa-ten (coffee shop) that dates back over fifty years, where you’ll enjoy a venerable snack found on the menus of seemingly every kissa across the whole of Japan.
You’ll also learn about and try Japanese versions of Western food known as yōshoku, and finish with a delicious dessert with a surprising, yet familiar presentation.
Enjoy this chance to “live like a local” from the first steps on an experience you won’t soon forget.
Solo travelers may be accepted with a private fee supplemental charge or can be added if we have space on an existing tour. Please email us.
Family-friendly pricing: If you are traveling with children and need a price adjustment- please email our team at Bookings@ArigatoJapan.co.jp.
Tour Highlights:
- Visit 5 locals-only food stops
- Learn the origin story of the world-famous Tokyo subway
- Get more in-depth knowledge of its background and history from an expert guide
- Discover how so much of Tokyo’s daily life takes place beneath the surface
- Admire and explore world-class public art installations
- Visit a 50+-year-old coffee shop
- Unearth the local secrets to underground navigation without getting lost
- Find the hidden entrances to beloved shopping spots
Private Tours: For a more customized experience, make your tour private for an additional ¥19,500+ TAX. (2-6 people). Please click the add-on button on your cart when you check out.
Strict start time policy: We are sorry to say that if you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, we will need to start the tour regardless and no refund can be provided. We are also unable to accommodate meeting up at any of the food stops. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests and also to respect our relationships with restaurants.
5-minute grace period: We can only wait an additional five minutes after the starting time and then the tour will depart. In addition, please note that we cannot give directions or contact the guides on the phone once the tour begins.
Tour Schedule:
Sun, Tue, Thur, Sat |
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Meeting Time Frame | 3:45 – 4:00 pm |
Start Time | 4:00 pm |
End Time | 7:00 pm |
Changes on tours: Applicable substitutions may be made due to public holidays, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances.
For Vegetarians:
Some food that we serve may have dashi, a soup stock made from kelp (seaweed) and bonito (skipjack tuna) as well as other ingredients. Dashi is the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and is used in many/most Japanese dishes. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your dietary needs if you cannot consume dashi. Additionally, please inform us if you can eat eggs and dairy products.
If you cannot consume Dashi, we recommend booking a private tour with us and we can offer some alternatives. Again, be aware, it will still be a challenge to 100% avoid fish stock.
Please keep in mind that we cannot make an allergy-free or dietary restriction food guarantee since food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to Arigato Travel. Also, some stops may not have a viable substitution but we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.
In front of Sanseidō Bookstore Yurakucho just a one-minute walk from Yurakucho Station–right across the street from the D7 exit at Kyobashi Gate.
〒100-0006 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Yurakucho, 2 Chome−10−1 1•2階 東京交通会館
〒100-0006 東京都千代田区有楽町2丁目10−1 1•2階 東京交通会館
Our guide will be holding an Arigato Travel Sign, also there is a good deal of walking on our tour so please wear comfortable shoes.
WEATHER REMINDER:
On rainy days, we recommend bringing an umbrella. They can be easily purchased at any convenience store.
“what3words has given every 3 meter square in the world a unique combination of three words. We use what3words to specify the exact location of our tour meeting points to ensure you don’t get lost and enjoy your tour with us. Simply click on the what3words address below to see the exact 3 meter square of our meeting spot”
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