Experience Details
Sugamo, known as “Grandma’s Harajuku,” is a lesser-known area of Tokyo that’s nonetheless worth a visit! You can delve deep into the local spirit of this charming Japanese neighborhood during this Traditional Culture Food Tour in Sugamo! You’ll fuel this food tour by first starting out with a sugary snack from a shop that has been open for around a century! Then, you’ll visit a famous shopping street, Jizo Dori, which is full of shops selling regional goodies and is home to a well-known temple! Discover Sugamo’s many endearing quirks, like their eye-catching red underwear stores (supposedly these flashy undergarments attract good luck)! With fashion like that, it’s no wonder Sugamo is compared to the hip and colorful Harajuku.
Once you’ve fully explored the area, taking in the eclectic local shops and nibbling on snacks along the way, your tour guide will bring you to a tasty lunch spot for a set meal and dessert! After that, you’ll dive into Japanese traditional culture and try your hand at calligraphy (known as shodo in Japanese) at a calligraphy workshop. With the guidance of a teacher, you’ll learn the art of Japanese calligraphy, making your own kanji character using the special brush and ink provided. And once you’ve mastered it, you are rewarded with a special gift! A commemorative T-shirt decorated with your kanji character is the perfect way to remember your trip to Tokyo!
It’s true, there are so many sights to see and things to do in Tokyo. It would be easy to overlook a humble little district like Sugamo. But it would sure be a shame to miss out on this hidden gem of Tokyo, which offers delicious Japanese food (both local and regional flavors), warm and welcoming shopkeepers, charming traditions, and a relaxed atmosphere. This food tour is designed to introduce you to an area of Tokyo that many tourists have never even heard of. But you’ll soon find that you're in love with the surprising little shopping district of Sugamo.
Inclusions
Delicious snacks and dishes at 5 food stops
Lunch at a local restaurant (beverage and dessert included)
Japanese calligraphy class with an instructor
Souvenir: a personalized T-shirt with emblazoned with your calligraphy design
Insights about the area from a local English-speaking tour guide
Exclusions
Transportation fees
Additional food or beverages
Hotel pick up
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
We will meet in front of Aoyama Flower Market (address: 〒170-0002 Tōkyō-to, Toshima City, Sugamo, 1-chōme−16−8), accessible on the JR Yamanote Line and Mita Subway Line.
Remarks
Wear comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved