Eat and Drink Like A LOCAL : Restaurant, Tavern & Ramen Tour

I would love to give this review five stars because of the people in our group (people can make a tour great) but I can't. I/we have done food tours all over the world and have never been asked to pay additional money when we arrive to go on the tour. Several people in the group were aware of this when they arrived due to other people that they knew being on the same tour prior so were not surprised, but we were very surprised. Luckily we had cash and were able to pay the extra 10000 yen. This was double the amount we signed up for. The food was good, the people were awesome, I just wish the price on viator would have been correct so that I did not have to start the tour feeling uncomfortable.

I took this tour with my family: wife, son (24) and daughter (20) in December 20. Akira really know his job regarding drinks, places, food and a lot of stories related with it. We really had a lot of fun with him and the group. He is a nice and knowledgeable amigo un poco loco. We visited four different places that unless you are japanese or live in Tokyo would be very dissucult to find and specially to order. The tour included a very good variety of food and drinks so you will get a very good idea of japanese food, and the special havest sake in one the Isakayas was fenomenal. Me and my family fully recommend this tour (we took a similar food tour in Kyoto, that was OK but Akira's was by far more better, indeed he set our expectations very high). If in Tokyo we will do it again.

Not speaking any Japanese but wanting to experience their street food (away from the Shinjuku tourist traps) this seemed the perfect trip. We were not disappointed - Aki proved a perfect host and the other members of the small party were great fun and getting to know your fellow travellers during the tour only added to the enjoyment. The food was delicious and you only have to be mildly adventurous when chosing what you eat and drink to get the benefit of Aki's knowledge (who lived for many years in Australia / US / UK so understands what us foreigners generally like, so doesn't push the food boundaries too far). Hopefully, like us, you will be very pleasantly surprised how delicious some cuts of meat are that we wouldn't otherwise have tried (and we aren't very adventurous food wise). Please note that the cost of the food and drink in the restaurants and bar you visit are extra (but very reasonable due to the Ueno location). We highly recommend this trip and although I was travelling with my 20 year old son, I would imagine this is a perfect tour to do on your own and spend a great evening in the company of Aki and the rest of the tour - Enjoy !