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Product Manager Vanessa Niven's Culinary Guide to Tokyo

My Tokyo Foodie Tour

My recent Tokyo foodie tour takes me on a journey of discovery through this wonderful city.

Tokyo, of course, offers an exhilarating blend of tradition and innovation, making it a premier destination for luxury travelers. Five-star hotels offer sweeping skyline views and world-class hospitality. Meanwhile, exclusive dining experiences range from Michelin-starred sushi counters to private kaiseki feasts in hidden ryotei.

Luxury shopping thrives in Ginza, where flagship boutiques and bespoke ateliers line the polished streets. Private guides unlock the secrets of Tokyo’s serene temples, artful tea ceremonies, and curated gallery tours. In similar fashion, helicopter rides over the cityscape and exclusive access to sumo stables or geiko performances add unparalleled richness to any itinerary.

Whether indulging in haute couture or savoring seasonal delicacies, Tokyo redefines modern elegance. Every moment here is tailored, refined, and unforgettable—perfect for the discerning traveler seeking depth and distinction.

My Tokyo foodie tour is no different, as I experience privately guided tours and exquisite cuisine across the city.

Tokyo Foodie Tour - Luxury Tokyo Foodie Tour by Ker & Downey
Imperial Palace

What to See

Firstly I begin at the Imperial Palace Gardens, a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Here manicured lawns and ancient stone walls hint at Japan’s imperial past.

Then in Asakusa, I visit the iconic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Nakamise Shopping Arcade, a lively lane of traditional shops on the temple grounds, is the perfect place to try traditional snacks or buy souvenirs.

Tokyo Foodie Tour - Luxury Tokyo Foodie Tour by Ker & Downey
Asakusa Kannon and Nakamise Shopping Arcade

For a taste of Tokyo’s fast-paced energy, I head to the Shibuya Scramble, one of the busiest intersections in the world. Watching the city pulse around me, I am simultaneously in awe of the mass of people and the organization with which it flows.

Art lovers obviously can’t miss teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital museum where interactive light and color redefine how we experience art.

Finally, I indulge a bit in Tokyo’s upscale side with a shopping spree in Ginza. This coveted neighborhood houses flagship designer stores, fine dining, and gleaming department stores like Matsuya Ginza, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.

Tokyo Foodie Tour - Luxury Tokyo Foodie Tour by Ker & Downey
Ginza

Where to Eat

My Tokyo foodie tour includes stops at a selection of the city’s finest gourmet dining venues.

1. Soba Osame

Soba Osame is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant specializing in soba, or buckwheat. Each dish in the prix fixe lunch menu heavily features buckwheat as well as accompanying dishes carefully chosen to highlight the soba flavors. The menu even includes a selection of soba-based beverages like buckwheat tea.

My favorite dish here is the very lightly sweetened buckwheat pudding served as a palate cleanser.

Tokyo Foodie Tour Sushi Shiogama Ginza Kiwami Tuna Sampler

2. Sushi Shiogama Ginza Kiwami

Sushi Shiogama Ginza Kiwami is next. I enjoy a tasting menu here, although “tasting menu” turns out to be a delightful sampling of every dish they serve.

Shiogama is a port in Miyagi prefecture that boasts the largest Pacific bluefin tuna catch in Japan. This restaurant was conceived to show off the incredible quality tuna that comes from Shiogama. Be sure to come hungry!

3. FARO

Next, I enjoy a vegan plant-based lunch set course menu at FARO, located in the Shiseido flagship building in Ginza. FARO achieved both a Michelin star and a Michelin green star with their sustainable, seasonal menu. Even the pottery and cutlery for each dish has a special story behind it, showcasing regional Japanese craftwork.

The strawberry chamomile dessert stands out as the star of the meal for me.

4. Yakiniku TEN

Yakiniku TEN serves up a delightful set menu showcasing hand-selected wagyu beef. The restaurant only offers private dining, meaning the chef prepares the meal in front of you in an intimate setting perfect for celebrations. The interior features chic and refined décor that compliments the carefully crafted menu.

5. Daigo

For a very special experience, I dine at Daigo, where the restaurant’s fourth generation chef gives a talk on the future of sustainable cuisine in Tokyo. Daigo is both a Michelin one star and Michelin green star restaurant.

While the shojin ryori style of cooking is not strictly vegan – it uses dashi (bonito fish flake) in sauces and broths – the mostly plant-based meal stands out with its high-quality local produce. Most surprisingly, the meal starts with a classic Manhattan cocktail, something I never imagined combining with traditional Japanese cuisine.

Tokyo Foodie Tour Sukiyaki Asai Sukiyaki Ingredients

6. Sukiyaki ASAI

Then I find myself in true foodie paradise at Sukiyaki ASAI. My meal coincides with the restaurant’s one year anniversary and serves as an informal celebration. It would be unsurprising to see it receive a Michelin star soon. The multi-course meal culminates with delicious sukiyaki prepared in front of me by a very talented chef.

7. Roppongi Rian

Finally, it’s time for a farewell dinner at Roppongi Rian, a sophisticated restaurant in the Minato neighborhood. This small venue offers 30 items on the menu, all meticulously crafted by chefs who honed their skills at well-known Kyoto and Tokyo restaurants.

Needless to say, Tokyo is one of the world's best destinations for fine – and inventive – dining experiences. Sprinkle in exciting privately guided activities each day, and it becomes easy to see how a Tokyo foodie tour can easily fill a week-long holiday in this shining megalopolis. Contact us today to learn more about how to customize your own Tokyo foodie tour. Follow us on social media for more inspiration.

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