What are Japanese sours and umeshu?

A sour is a light, fizzy drink of shochu or another spirit mixed with fruit juice or flavoring and soda, a staple of Tokyo bars. Umeshu is a sweet liqueur made by steeping Japanese plums, and both are among the drinks you can taste on this tour.

What dishes are included?

You try at least 10 dishes across three restaurants, from monjayaki you cook yourself and Japanese barbecue to seafood such as sashimi and grilled prawns. Choices are adjusted to your group's preferences.

How is this different from other Tokyo food tours?

Akabane is a retro neighborhood in northern Tokyo with very few tourists, and the tour stays entirely within it. Your guide's local friendships mean you meet owners and regulars rather than visiting busy, well-known spots.

Guests aged 13 and older can join. Alcohol is served only to guests aged 20 and over, and non-alcoholic drinks are available for everyone else.

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Lantern-lit drinking alley in Akabane at dusk

Yakiniku beef grilling on a tabletop burner

Two tiger prawns roasting over a charcoal grill

Oden counter at a long-running Akabane oden shop

Tokyo

Tokyo Retro Backstreets: Private Akabane Food and Drink Tour

English, Japanese

4 hours

(11)

Step into Akabane, an old-school drinking district in northern Tokyo, on a private food and drink tour with a well-connected local guide. Visit three neighborhood restaurants, from a barbecue spot on Akabane Silk Road to a table where you cook monjayaki yourself, with at least ten dishes and every drink included.

Visits to three local restaurants
At least 10 Japanese dishes, including monjayaki, Japanese barbecue, and seafood
All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during the tour
Tastings of beer, Japanese sours, sake, and umeshu
Food choices tailored to your group's preferences
Restaurant introductions and help with your onward journey
English-speaking Guide

What's not included

Transportation to and from Akabane
Gratuities

This is a private tour with a relaxed pace set by your group.
Each booking can include between 1 and 15 guests.
The minimum age to join is 13 years old.
Japanese law sets the drinking age at 20 years old.
Non-alcoholic drinks are also available throughout the tour.
Mention any food allergies or dislikes when you book.
Restaurant choices may vary with your preferences and availability.
Expect some mild walking, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.
Some restaurants are small, with traditional seating and limited access.
Wheelchairs and strollers cannot be used on this route.
You don't need to bring anything in particular for this tour.

Meet directly at this location to join the tour

Akabane Station (outside the NewDays convenience store), Kita City, Tokyo

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
Cancellations within 24 hours of the start time are non-refundable.

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Reviews

Tokyo Retro Backstreets: Private Akabane Food and Drink Tour

11 reviews

1/1

Spectacle

Simon was an excellent guide I loved the enriching experience

Paula Vilela

June 3, 2026

If You Want the Real Tokyo Food Scene, Do This Tour

Simon’s Akabane Underground Food Tour was absolutely incredible. Even after visiting Tokyo a few times I would never have found these places on my own. The authenticity of the experience was amazing — tiny local spots full of character that truly show the real side of Tokyo. Simon’s knowledge of the area, the food, and the culture is outstanding, and his passion makes the whole night unforgettable. It feels much more like exploring with a well-connected local friend than being on a tour. Easily one of the best experiences I’ve had in Tokyo. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hana H

March 5, 2026

Paula Vilela

June 3, 2026

Spectacle

Simon was an excellent guide I loved the enriching experience

Hana H

March 5, 2026

If You Want the Real Tokyo Food Scene, Do This Tour

Itinerary

Akabane

Kita City, Tokyo

Akabane is a retro neighborhood in Kita Ward known for its lantern-lit alleys and standing bars. Your tour visits three local restaurants here, including a Japanese barbecue spot along the Akabane Silk Road shopping street, for monjayaki, grilled meats, seafood, and plenty of drinks.