8 Best Food Tours in Shinjuku for Ramen, Bar Hopping & More

Looking to experience one of the most vibrant, iconic commercial centers of Tokyo? Then visit Shinjuku, a hub of everything bustling, bright, and electric about Japan! Home of the famously busy Shinjuku Station, more skyscrapers than you can imagine, and a red hot nightlife, Shinjuku has something to excite every traveler.

Whether you're grilling yakitori next to locals in an izayaka or immersing yourself in Tokyo's craziest ramen experiences, these Shinjuku food tours will ensure that you come home with a deeper understanding of Japanese cuisine—not to mention some thrilling stories to tell your friends!

Follow in Stephanie's footsteps with this Shinjuku ramen food tour, giving you two hours to understand and taste the difference between types of ramen.

If you ask a Tokyo local where to eat in Shinjuku, it's likely they'll point you to Golden Gai, or the Golden District. The Golden Gai Food Tour in Shinjuku Golden District will guide you through nostalgic Omoide Yokocho, the electrifying nightlife of Kabukicho, and end with yakitori and drinks in Shinjuku's Golden Gai for a night you won't soon forget! A golden gai tour is the quintessential way to experience Shinjuku drinking culture in Tokyo's most dazzling alleys.

Check out the video below to find out more about Japanese drinking culture before the tour!

The Tokyo Ramen Tour with the Ramen Adventurer may interest travelers in search of an unforgettably satisfying Tokyo food tour focused on ramen. You'll visit two ramen shops and try two different bowls of ramen: the first light and refreshing, and the second heavy and intensely-flavored. Learn about the different kinds of ramen and how to slurp your ramen from a ramen expert!

Searching for a Shinjuku food tour of Tokyo's famous red-light district, Kabukicho? Don't miss this Shinjuku After Dark Izakaya Tour, which will take you on a whirlwind of an evening through the best izakaya in Tokyo. First, try out Japan's unique tachinomi standing bars, then be whisked along to Kabukicho for more tasty treats, and round off the night in a famous drinking district that houses over 200 tiny bars! You'll come away from the experience a true expert on Shinjuku izakaya gastropubs.

On the Tokyo Yakitori and Ramen Tour in Shinjuku, you'll gain valuable knowledge about yakitori, a wildly popular izakaya food that's grilled to perfection, and ramen, a traditional dish best enjoyed in its birthplace of Japan! If you're looking for a more focused, private tour of the highest quality yakitori and ramen in Tokyo, this local Shinjuku experience is for you. Your guide has visited over 1300 ramen shops and literally written books on ramen, so you'll be in excellent hands.

There's never a lack of things to do in Shinjuku, from strolling through Shinjuku Gyoen to spotting the giant Godzilla in Kabukicho. So, while you're sightseeing, don't forget to book yourself a delicious food tour to learn about all the best izakaya, ramen, yakitori, seafood, and more that Shinjuku has to offer!

In this unique walking tour of Shinjuku, you’ll join expert tour guide Adam to hit up a selection of local bars and restaurants, taking you through the vibrant drinking alley of Omoide Yokocho, the lively Kabukicho, historic Hanazono Shrine and so much more.

On the way, indulge on a feast of traditional Japanese foods, including yakitori (chicken skewers), sushi, yakiniku (grilled meat), seafood (scallops, octopus and shrimp), and a selection of local desserts and drinks for the picking.

Note: If you’re coming with little ones in tow, they can join this experience free of charge. Specify how many will be joining you upon booking.

Once you’ve feasted your eyes on some of Shinjuku’s most iconic landmarks — Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Skytree and Mt. Fuji (on a clear day), all from the sweeping views offered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck — you’ll get a taste for Japanese cuisine.

Lunch on sushi, tonkatsu (crispy pork cutlet), tempura or soba, and save room for a hearty bowl of tonkotsu ramen in one of Tokyo’s most popular areas.

A takoyaki (octopus ball) party with new-found friends is something of a rite of passage in Japan, giving you insight into a beloved Japanese street food and giving you an excuse to enjoy a classic nomihoudai all-you-can-drink party.

The more the merrier is the vibe here, with everyone welcome — including solo travelers, families with children, and those with limited English or Japanese language skills. Afterwards, take a gentle nighttime stroll towards to Shinjuku Station before parting ways. 

Rub shoulders with the locals in the electric atmosphere of Shinjuku’s must-visit spots, like Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, the Kabukicho district, Hanazono Shrine, and the larger-than-life Godzilla head statue.

Built up an appetite with all that walking around? You’ll get to try Japanese cuisine like fresh sushi and must-try tonkotsu ramen at a charming local restaurant.

Find out more: Yokocho Tokyo: The Most Photogenic Drinking Alleys in Tokyo

While you’re in Shinjuku, try out a few more sushi spots, explore the best restaurants, start thinking about breakfast or tick off a few more must-try things to do in the area!

Or, if you're tempted by more time in Shinjuku, take a look at our full list of food tours in Shinjuku.

Shinjuku is best known for Kabukicho, Tokyo's entertainment district, a must-visit spot for people of all ages. Look up and you'll spot another famous landmark: Godzilla.

Kabukicho's Golden Street is the most popular street in Shinjuku, cramming almost 300 restaurants, bars and cafes into a cozy 6,500-square-meter space.