How to truly explore the city (even if you’re traveling yourself)
Tokyo A city that seems infinitely deep. You can come here a dozen times and every time you stumble upon new street stalls with food, hidden sanctuaries, night bars, strange subcultures and areas that seem to belong to different worlds.
I’ve been to Tokyo about 10 times!
For an independent traveler, one of the best ways to feel the city is to try individual excursions.
These are not just excursions: meetings are led by locals and long-term residents who show Tokyo “from the inside” – its food, nightlife, crafts and history in ways you would hardly see yourself wandering without a purpose. I have done many of these experiences in Tokyo and often find them even more interesting than classic tours.
Below are my favorite experiences in Tokyo, which are ideal for those who travel independently, but do not mind taking something from the local:
1) Learn to cook authentic sushi with a master
This workshop is distinguished by the fact that it takes place in the Omakese restaurant and is conducted by the sushi master himself (or his student). You don’t just learn how to shape rice and cut fish, you’ll learn why cutting is important, how to season rice differently depending on style, and how to combine ingredients to reveal texture and taste. The class is practical, takes place in the morning and turns out a hearty and informative breakfast. I really liked it. You can book here!
2) Shibuya Nightlife with Unlimited Drinks
My favorite night tour in Tokyo. Host Suemi and her friends create a great vibe. The tour leads to 3-4 izakayas - completely non-tourist places, full of locals, and you are given unlimited food and drink. My guide Sugo was sociable, spoke spoken English, managed the group well, entertained and explained izakaya culture in detail - and even stayed with us after the official part was finished. In addition, Suemi and the team conduct the best of all the sake tasting lessons I have taken - there are a lot of visual materials, the group is small (six people only), and everything is very clear. They also have whiskey tasting, I haven’t had time to try it yet, but I’m sure it’s worth paying attention to. You can book here!
3) Izakaya tour to Shinjuku
In spirit, this experience is similar to a tour to Shibuya, but takes place in another major night area - Shinjuku. It is full of tiny izakayas, many are hidden in narrow alleys or on the upper floors - you simply cannot go there without a local one. Guid Yuma, a sake sommelier, takes you to several such establishments, tells you how the isakaya culture works, what sake to try, how to read the menu and what to order. Yuma is friendly, explains everything clearly and without unnecessary theory. A great way to experience Shinjuk evening without getting lost in the noise and mazes.
(4) Historic walking tour of Tokyo
One of the most informative excursions I've ever done. Instead of the usual hiking trails, this route runs through quieter neighborhoods, where Tokyo retains a strong connection to the past.
The presenter is a teacher who specializes in Japanese history and traditional culture, and this is felt in the depths of the stories. You will visit, including the Nezu Shrine, pass it through a tunnel of red toria and wander through the old streets, which seem frozen in time. For those who love context and understanding, Masthav.
Why such experiences are good for independent travelers:
You keep your route and budget free, but you get the depth and insights of the local.
Small groups and personal stories of guides give those small details that you will not read in the guidebook.
If you want, take Experience as your starting point, and then continue to explore the area alone, already knowing where to look for the best places.
Advice for independent travelers: even if you like to go “to the touch”, one such local experience is worth taking – it will give the keys to understanding the area, after which independent walks will be many times more interesting.
And to be honest, sometimes guides stay in memory longer than the route itself - their stories, recipes and tips for hidden addresses will come in handy on subsequent trips.
Dear friends!
You can order excursions to Tokyo from guides on our website.
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