Tokyo Hidden Backstreets: Private Sangenjaya Food & Drink Tour

Genuinely the highlight of our first week here. We visited tiny amazing spots that we never could have found on our own and tasted amazing unknown snacks we wouldn’t have imagined ordering. Simon worked around our food restrictions and was the best companion for the evening, introduced us to locals, and gave us great suggestions for our later activities. Fantastic night. 11 out of 5 stars. Do not even think of hesitating, book this immediately.

This tour was FABULOUS! A highlight of my Tokyo trip for sure. Simon is SUCH a great, fun, welcoming, and kind person and made this such a good time. I was initially going to book with my sister, but her timing didn't work out and I ended up going solo. Simon is a fantastic guide, storyteller, and conversationalist, and we got along swimmingly right off the bat. I'm pescatarian and he catered our food orders to my needs accordingly. We visited a few stops with varying degrees of dive/classy atmospheres and I loved them all. Sangenjaya is a really cool neighborhood and I loved exploring the little alleyways. Simon took me to places I'd never have found or known to stop into on my own, and I loved feeling a little bit like I was a local :) He also recommended some other neighborhoods to visit and spots for dancing and food. My only advice would be to DRINK WATER between drinks lol this was my downfall because I mixed so many types of alcohol... but the effects didn't kick in until the next morning ;) It was totally worth the hangover and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you Simon!

Fantastic tour around Sangenjaya! Great food, drinks, and banter. Simon made the whole experience fun, relaxed, and memorable, showing us some great local spots. Highly recommend him!

Simon was a great guide. Very knowledgeable about the area and easy conversation all night. He took us to some great local bar and food spots. We had a fun night. Strong recommend! Plus he gave us lots of good tips for other off-beat things to do around Tokyo for the rest of our trip.

Really fun night out with Simon in Sangengaya. Some great food and drinks to try at interesting tiny bars and restaurants. Simon was a fantastic host, with lots of fun stories and conversation to share. Highly recommend this experience as something that felt a lot more local and authentic than you get in Golden Gai, etc, plus Simon seemingly knows everyone in Sancha!

What a fun experience! Simon took us on a journey of great food and drink. From monja, fresh fish, shrimp, chicken, sea grapes and edamame to Hoppy Beer, whiskey, gin, sake and beer. The food and drink were amazing but the conversation about the neighborhood and the food/drink were even better! This tour is a perfect to offset the traditional sites of shrines, temples and palaces. Highly recommend Simon and this tour!

Simon showed us such an amazing time! He was so welcoming and shared lots of information with us about the dishes and the area, but more, he was just an enjoyable guy to spend an evening with. I was particularly touched as my son is very particular in what he drinks, and Simon was kind enough to ask the waitress for a request that was strange to her, but my son loved! You can’t miss on this tour with Simon. I finished the night stuffed, a bit drunk, and with lifelong memories!

Our favorite activity of the trip!! We had such an amazing time on this food tour with Simon. We tried SO many new foods. Some that we absolutely loved and a few that definitely weren’t for us, but that made it even more fun! We also got to explore the neighborhood, learn more about the area, and enjoy plenty of drinks along the way. Simon was such a great guide and made the whole experience feel relaxed, fun, and personal. If you’re visiting Tokyo, we HIGHLY recommend doing this tour. Come hungry and be ready to try something new!

Amazing! 5 star tour! If you are looking for a tour that takes you off the beaten path then this is the one. Simon is a people person with a wealth of local knowledge and connections which makes the tour unique for tourists. We had such a good time, full of flavors, tastes and laughter!

An incredible experience! There is a reason this tour has all and only 5 star reviews! We couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off our trip to Tokyo than this food tour with Simon. From start to finish, the experience was absolutely incredible. Simon is an exceptional host—he’s not only a fantastic conversationalist who made us feel completely comfortable, but he is also incredibly knowledgeable. He took us to a handful of hidden gems and truly unique spots that we never would have found on our own. What set this tour apart was the thoughtful curation; every dish and drink he ordered had a story behind it, perfectly tied to the history and culture of Tokyo. We left with full stomachs and a much deeper appreciation for the city. This was easily one of the absolute highlights of our entire trip. If you’re heading to Tokyo, booking a tour with Simon is a must!

Simon has a wonderful vibe... Great PR, very social and looking to have a group great time in an excellent food experience. He lives in Japan for long long time... So you can expect the best. This tour is one of the best I have ever had... Topical drinks, topical food and surprising dishes very difficult to find. Congrats Simon. :)

We had the best time with Simon. We had amazing food and great drinks, and Simon’s personality made it even better

Hana was an excellent guide. She took us to restaurants/bars in the back streets of Tokyo that we would never have discovered on our own. She introduced us to foods and drinks that we may not tried on our own. Being on this tour felt more like going out with a friend than a guide. We were late in getting to the meeting point because of traffic delays but Hana was kind enough to wait as well as give the both of us a full evenings tour.

This excursion, without a doubt, was absolutely a blast! We visited places that we would have never found on our own. Simon is a great host, and you soon see him as a part of your group rather than a guide. Lots of laughs, interesting drinks, and even more interesting foods. This is one experience that, if you like to toss back a drink or two, you should not miss if you’re visiting Tokyo! I’d do it again in a heartbeat…in fact, we did, once wasn’t enough! This is a can’t miss if you want something very unique.

Simon was one of our favorite guides in Tokyo and the food and drink tour will live in our memories for a long time. Well. Mostly. A few of us have a hard time remembering the final spots as we definitely got a little drunk along the way. But Simon was so wonderful, knowledgeable and picked fantastic spots. We ate and drank our faces off and consider Simon a fantastic new friend. Book immediately. This one is special.

Our food tour with Simon was one of the absolute highlights of our Tokyo trip. Simon was wonderful—friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire evening so much fun. Every food and drink stop was delicious, and we loved experiencing a part of Tokyo that felt local and non-touristy. It gave us a side of the city we never would have found on our own, and we had an absolute blast. Highly recommend!

One of the best. Simon was great fun. Very knowledgable, interesting and accommodating. Wonderful food and drinks. A great experience.

Fantastic guide, amazing food and great to be away from the main tourist areas

Booking a tour with Simon is a must while you are in Tokyo! We had an incredible time exploring hole-in-the-wall spots that we never would have found ourselves, with amazing atmosphere, food and drink. We had warned Simon in advance that my partner was vegetarian and this was no problem, he found us some of the best food we have eaten while in Japan. Simon is also great company and gave us very helpful tips for the rest of our trip! Don’t miss this experience.

Simon is so knowledgeable having lived in Japan for over 25yrs. He ensured everything was taken care of, the whole tour is meticulously planned and seeing Japan off the beaten track really does make this a memorable trip. I have booked a few tours with Simon- he is funny, has some great stories and really knows his food and drink! If there was one thing to do when going to Tokyo - book this tour!!

Our food tour in Sangenjaya with Simon was a highlight of our Tokyo trip! Simon was wonderful; fun, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable about Japanese food culture and local life. He guided us through the vibrant alleys to authentic izakayas truly off the tourist trail. From hidden sake spots - the door to one literally looked like a shelf - to a standing bar and traditional teppanyaki, every stop was a blast! Simon made the evening feel less like a tour and more like exploring the neighborhood with a knowledgeable local friend. Highly recommend!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Want to second what everyone else has said about Simon, he really knows his way around, orients you to places you wouldn't find alone, and is a hell of a hang!

We had a fantastic experience on this food tour with Simon. It was the perfect mix of delicious food, cultural insight and local story telling. Every stop felt thoughtfully chosen. We visited small family run shops to hidden gems hidden behind secret doors. We would never have found these wonderful venues on our own!! Kudos and thank you Simon!!

Simon and this tour are a can't miss experience. This was our second trip to Tokyo, on our last trip two years ago we took this tour with Simon. In planning our trip this year, this and several other tours with him were the anchors of our itinerary. In addition to Sangenjaya we highly recommend his tours in Akabane and Kamakura. They are unique experiences where Simon's personality and knowledge allow him to tailor the tour to the individual group. Simon has a unique ability to quickly asses the vibe and interest of the group then make decisions that take the experience over the top. Because he has such warm and personal relationships with the people working in the restaurants, our plates were never empty and our cups were never dry. We are always amazed by the dollops of information that he drops into conversation that help throughout the rest of our time in Japan. He is truly passionate about providing a unique and incredible experience.

Absolutely incredible experience. Simon was terrific, showing us several back-alley bars and local eateries serving delicious meals and tasty drinks. He also went above and beyond to personally recommend several other places to go eat and explore afterwards. I cannot recommend this tour and guide enough.

Simon’s food tour is a great way to be introduced to off the beaten path eateries frequented by locals. He knows the eateries in the back alleys of Sangenjaya away from the touristy overhyped establishments posted on social media. He is personable and genuinely interested in providing the best eating and drinking experience offered in Sangenjaya. I have booked this tour twice and both were an excellent experience. I highly recommend his food tour. I plan to book his tour on my next trip to Tokyo.

This tour definitely surpassed my expectations in terms of how much fun my husband and I had with Simon! Would highly recommend this as a must do because you really immerse yourself in the culture of Sangenjaya. It was far from being a touristy experience. Enjoyed our conversations with Simon very much and he is incredibly knowledgeable. He is also very flexible and catered to my husband’s and my needs. No way we would have made it to these back alleys and super exquisitely holes in the wall without someone like Simon, who was well known wherever we went :) He even had us drink something from 7 Eleven to line our stomachs before we drank alcohol — to make for a lesser or no hangover the next day. A thoughtful touch!

This is a must do. It’s our second time with Simon and we loved it again! Places and food you would never find on your own. And the coolest part is Simon is a great communicator and truly loves what he does.

Excellent private tour! Simon took me and my husband around Sangenjaya, exploring different restaurants and bars. This tour was an amazing way to experience Tokyo nightlife in a nostalgic neighborhood with the feel of Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, but without that crushing hustle and bustle. Simon is really personable, knows the area exceptionally well, and was a delight to spend an evening with - he had everything prepared in advance making our hopping ultra smooth. Highly recommend this tour to anyone!

Me and my wife had the best time. Simon is a wonderful host and sangenjaya is a great area to visit. It looks a bit austere when you first come out of the station but it’s a vibrant neighbourhood with narrow lanes full of restaurants, which makes it very atmospheric. One of the highlights was a tiny standing restaurant which served only kushikatsu (deep fried skewers). Everyone was really friendly, unless of course you break the no double dipping rule!

We really enjoyed this food tour around the back alleys of Sangenjaya. The area was charming and the food and drinks were delicious and plentiful. Simon was really personable and fun. Really appreciated the tips and phrases he gave us which came in handy for the rest of our stay in Tokyo. Recommend!

This was already our second food tour we booked with Simon. He knows his stuff very well, is a really fun guy to hang out with and shows you the places you would usually not be aware of as a tourist. The area is fun and off the (most) beaten track. Simon also takes care of food preferences, while still making the experience an authentic Japanese one. Absolutely 100% recommended.

This was the most fun tour we had in Tokyo. Our guide, Simon, was extremely personable and knowledgeable. He took us to unique, small restaurants in the back alleyways of Sangenjaya, where he lives. The proprietors all knew him so we had fantastic service. With him we tasted authentic local Japanese delicacies and drinks. His choices were spot on. We loved everything he introduced us to. We never could have had such an experience on our own. I would like to do this again tonight!

My partner and I were in Tokyo for the second part of our honeymoon after starting with 3 nights there. Our tour with Simon showed us not only a part of the city we had not yet seen but some unique and delicious food and drink that we had missed in our first segment of our trip. All of our stops were incredibly thoughtful and Simon did an excellent job of taking our preferences into account and ordering accordingly. Beyond the ambience and the incredible food and drink, Simon's company was amazing! He was a wealth of information not only that night, but for the rest of our trip. We look forward to seeing him again next time we are in Japan or if he is state-side :) This is a PERFECT activity for friend groups, families, couples and could even be fun if you are in town for a work trip. It is also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly experiences that we had in Japan!

Simon is the best! He is truly the kindest and most friendly person and so easy to talk to! He's lived in Japan for forever so he know's all the small little local places that no other tourists ever go to. Go with him for the real authentic Tokyo experience, you won't regret it!

Great tour, very local and authentic. Guide was awesome! Was able to get an understanding of the local culture we would have otherwise missed.

Absolutely brilliant food tour! Simon met us at the station and from there we had the most wonderful evening. The variety of food and drink that we tried was amazing, just make sure that you are ready for plenty of food! Simon was a brilliant host, incredibly welcoming, friendly and informative and made the rest of our stay in Tokyo so much better with all his recommendations and advice! We could not recommend this tour enough - our highlight of Tokyo!

Simon was an incredible source of knowledge and experience. He took my husband and I to vibrant places where he knew the owners/cooks and we sampled the most delicious foods and drinks. We went to about 4-5 places. Simon also provided us guidance on the rest of our Tokyo trip, introducing us to off the beaten path neighborhoods that ended up being the highlight of our trip. It was one of the best nights we had in Japan!

Our izakaya tour with Simon was the highlight of our trip. It was such a fun evening and felt more like spending time with a good friend than an actual tour. The food was excellent (and some of our most memorable bites from our time in Tokyo - we would never have tried monjayaki otherwise and LOVED it), but the company was even better. We truly enjoyed visiting a more local neighborhood and trying out some of the restaurants far from the usual social media hotspots and crowd. On top of that, we learned a bit about Japanese culture and what expat life is like, and I can't imagine a better opportunity to do that than through this experience. If you're looking for a fun night out that's off the beaten path and you're open to trying some new foods and beverages, absolutely book this. We can't recommend it enough, and we'd do it again without hesitation just for the lovely conversation.

We had such a blast with Simon. An awesome night of food, drinks, and learning about life in Japan. Very highly recommend!

Simon was a great guide. Clearly a favorite of all the stops on the tour, which led to great service and interaction with local staff.

We did the back alley food tour and all of our senses were tickled..the food amazing, drinks even better and history of the street area was perfect. Simon was super knowledgeable and he took us to cute venues we never would have known existed. Definitely will request Simon when we return to Japan!

The back ally food tour was one of our favorite experiences from our trip to Tokyo. Simon is incredibly personable and knowledgeable about the Tokyo food scene. We went to places we never would have been able to find on our own. Including some secret spots and restaurants only locals frequent. We tried dishes and drinks we wouldn’t have known to order. He was able to accommodate our varied diet preferences as well as our teens. We highly recommend his tour to anyone who visits Tokyo.

Highly recommend - very cool restaurants and we tried food and drinks we never would have found on our own!! Simon’s was super fun!

Very fun tour of small hidden gems and a bit of the culture of the Tokyo underground. Excellent food and drink and conversation in areas I would not find alone.

We loved exploring and eating with Simon. The alleys are so authentic and not touristy at all! We loved all the food and Simon is great company. Best night in Tokyo!!

This tour is slightly impossible to describe but ABSOLUTELY the highlight of our trip to Tokyo. Simon was the perfect guide... he gave us tips and tricks to Tokyo, all while wining and dining us. We tried foods and drinks we never would have tried... and saw corners of Tokyo that we wouldn't have gone. Highest of recommendation to this tour!

This was truly such a unique amazing experience! Simon the guide is so knowledgeable and so much fun! We got to try food and drinks that we had never tried before (it was delicious!) and we were on our 12th day in Japan. We went to local spots and met such amazing people there! It was truly my favorite excursion that we planned such a Blast!! We highly recommend if you are looking for a fun out of the tourist path experience with great people definitely book this!! We loved it!

This was a fantastic food tour. We tried lots of different dishes that we would never have found without our guide, Simon. We were given a huge amount of food and drink and felt it was really good value. Simon allowed us to decide what type of food we would like to try e.g. no raw meat or fish for us. I asked to try Okonomyaki, a type of savoury pancake that you cook yourself on a hot plate, and Simon obliged. He took us to the area where he lives, which is a little known area of Tokyo, and found us a cute little restaurant where you sit on tatami mats, which we had never done before. Cooking the Okonomyaki was really fun and Simon told us lots of interesting things about the food and Japan in general. We tried several other unusual dishes here and then moved on to a specialist Sake house, another hidden away place we would never have found on our own. Here we tried more food and several different Sakes before going to an Izakaya, a japanese tavern. Here there was more food and drink and we left feeling very full and more than a little tipsy! I want to reassure you though that you can choose to eat or drink as much or as little as you choose. Simon was a charming host and we enjoyed it enormously. Many thanks Simon.