We went to Tokyo for a the first time a couple of years ago to see the cherry blossom in full bloom, it was absolutely stunning. Timing is everything with the cherry blossom, and while we weren’t technically there during full bloom – most of the city was a sea of pink! I literally crave going back. Such a beautiful, walkable, super busy but yet calming city. There’s no way you can take it all in with one visit, we stayed about 5 days and didn’t want to leave! Sightseeing, wandering around the city, visiting such historical sites and.. well.. the food!
We did our usual research on the best food tours in Tokyo and ended up taking two different tours with a company call Ninja Food Tours, we did the best of Izakaya tour in Shinjuku, it was excellent, we ended up going back around the same area another day on our own to explore more. The Izakaya are tiny little bars that serve different snacks, it’s like the Japanese version of tapas!
Some photos from the tour which included takoyaki (octopus balls pictured top left) from a very popular standing bar called Gindaco. Then we went on to a Tonkatsu restaurant called Niimura who have been serving their famous grilled pork loin since the 1960’s. From there we wandered through the alleyways of Izakaya’s and went on to a yakitori restaurant called Garakuta where we had chicken yakitori several ways, including the hearts and livers! The last food stop was a seafood restaurant owned by a fishmonger in the Tsukiji fish market, the restaurant is called Takamaru and it’s very popular. They have a different hand written menu every day depending on the catch! So much fresh fish and the fish heads as you can see, don’t go to waste! To wash it all down they serve their sake in a glass placed in a little square container and purposefully overflow the glass to fill the tray – that’s your second glass waiting for you!
Another tour we took with the same company was a tour of Toyosu and the Tsukiji fish market which is the largest wholesale fish market in the world! The market is simply huge! So many different kinds of seafood being sold and of course the star of the show is the tuna!
We went to multiple places to eat fish and wandered through the markets which had all kinds of delicious street foods!
I know it sounds so obvious, but the sushi and sashimi is so darn fresh it literally melts in your mouth. Its a whole other level from what we are used to. The fatty tuna (toro) was amazing.. it’s like butter
So many food experiences, we also did a sake pairing in one restaurant that I don’t recall the name of. I love that its small tapas style plates with different style sake’s to pair with
Even the Chandon turns pink with the cherry blossom!
and then there’s the matcha….
And the whiskey…. oh my.. whiskey with sushi is so darn good! One of the famous ones is Hibiki which is part of the Suntory (Jim Beam) group.. Hibiki 17 year old is really hard to find, although we found one place in a tiny liquor store underneath the Tokyo main railway station! You can buy it in the US but it’s super expensive. Another good one you can buy fairly easily is Hibiki Harmony, and this one, masters select, we picked up at Tokyo airport which we’re told you can only get there.
Every time I see these photos and reflect on Tokyo.. is it any wonder I want to make sushi!! Never as good as the real thing over there of course, but a sweet memory of an incredible city.. talking of sweet.. one last picture for desert.. the strawberries are divine.. and this shortcake.. yum!
