7 Food Tours with Locals in Japan to Book This Year

1.Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour:15 Tastings & 3 Drinks with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,727 reviews · from $73Our pick

Spend three hours eating through Shinsekai with guides such as Andy, Anna, Adam, Tim, or Scott. Try karaage, yakitori, takoyaki, udon, oden, kushikatsu, dessert, and more at five small local eateries, with three drinks included. The route also covers Tsutenkaku, Osaka food culture, and the area’s unusual past.

“Great tour to try a variety of street food. Anna was a wonderful guide - personable, knowledgeable, and very fun. Food was delicious, family owned spots. Recommended.”

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2.Eat and Drink Like a Local: Tokyo Ueno Food Tour-Taverns&Ramen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 957 reviews · from $95

Join Aki, Akira, or Shota for a three-hour walk through Ueno and Okachimachi, stopping at local bars, taverns, and a ramen shop. You’ll sample sashimi, skewered meat, grilled fish, stews, Japanese drinks, and ramen while your guide explains ordering, dining customs, and the neighborhood. The small group is limited to 10 people.

“We had a great time with our fabulous guide Shota! We had Izakaya, some great drinks, ramen, and a lot of laughs. Shota is a knowledgeable and informative guide. He was open to questions and was interesting to talk to. We would definitely take another tour with him in the future. We would recommend this tour to anyone wanting a night of food and drinks.”

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3.Osaka Food Adventure Tour: Walking with a Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $79

Spend about three hours eating your way from Ebisucho Station through Shinsekai, Hozenji Yokocho, and Dotonbori. Your English or Japanese-speaking guide introduces 6 to 10 local foods, one drink, and small shops many first-time visitors would miss. Guides such as Ayako, Kaoru, Chiyoe, Hiro, Sue, and Sumiyo have led past tours, though your guide may vary.

“This was a fun tour with lots of food! Our tour guide Bryan is informative and engaging. Highly recommend!”

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4.Kyoto: Nishiki Market and Depachika Food Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 76 reviews · 2 hours · from $42Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Apple Kyoto for a compact food walk through Daimaru’s basement hall, Nishiki Market, and Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine. Expect yuba sashimi, a soy milk donut, Nishiki gyoza, and hamo tempura, with guides such as Mao, Ai, Boris, and Kats bringing local food knowledge. The group is limited to nine people.

“Brook was a great guide. She has provided great amount of details about food, traditions, different ingredients of the Japanese cuisine. We could taste a lot of food and found the best sake in Kyoto 😉”

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5.Kyoto: Nishiki Market Tour with a Local Foodie & Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Meet your English or Japanese speaking guide at Nishiki Tenmangu and walk through the shrine, Teramachi Street, and Nishiki Market. Expect guided tastings, local food stories, and practical help choosing unfamiliar treats. Guides such as Kaito, Akino, and Hiro are praised for warm conversation and strong food knowledge. Drinks cost extra, and allergies cannot be accommodated.

“The organisation ease and meeting point were great. I had booked for a similar tour to have it cancelled. All worked out fabulously. Kaito was a great source of information and a great guide thr the market & through my marvelous Japaneese food fusion experience. I highly recommend this tour with Kaito - I learnt so much on the cultural level, gastronomically and gained a new respect & insight into the Japaneese way. A wonderful experience I am grateful for his guidance”

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6.Eat Like a Local in Osaka – Private Custom Street Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 33 reviews · 3 hours · from $169

Spend three private hours eating through Osaka with a local host matched to your tastes. Expect 6 to 8 tastings, two drinks, Dotonbori and Namba walks, and dishes such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, oden, yakisoba, and kushikatsu. Your route can favor familiar foods, bold flavors, local customs, or lesser-known stops.

“really good tour, had really good time good food!”

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7.Eat/Drink like a LOCAL-Taverns & Ramen

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · from $126

Join Aki, and sometimes Yumi, for a three-hour food-and-drink walk through Ueno and Taito City. Visit three local taverns for sashimi, grilled fish, skewers, at least five drinks, and seven dishes before finishing with a bowl of ramen. English guidance, cultural context, and a small porcelain cup are included.

“Aki is great at sharing stories about Japan and creating a fun atmosphere in the group. We had three stops and I would highly recommend this tour as an introduction to Tokyo or Japanese drink/food culture.”

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