Savor Atami: Traditional Tea, Tofu and Local Eats

Only a few hours Southwest of Tokyo you'll find Atami, a picturesque seaside town in the stunning Izu Peninsula. Renowned for its beaches and hot springs, Atami offers more than just relaxation — it is a cultural treasure trove with a distinct food culture and traditions. On this Atami tour, you will discover the area's culinary culture by tasting traditional ingredients at traditional shops that are usually only known to locals.

The food tour will begin by meeting your host, Yuri, at Sakurabashi Bridge, just a 15-minute walk from Atami Station. Originally from Tokyo, Yuri spent 10 years living in the US and UK before finding her home in Atami where she now uses her English-speaking skills to share her insights with guests in the area, enabling them to discover what makes Atami so special.

During the tour, Yuri will bring you to three different local shops among four possible options: green tea, wasabi zuke (a pickled wasabi unique to Shizuoka), katsuobushi (fermented and dried fish used for dashi broth) and tofu. The exact stops will be decided on the day depending on availability. Each shop is chosen based on the quality of its food, their long-standing traditions and artisanal methods, and a special emphasis on culturally significant ingredients not found outside of Japan. At each location, you will be able to sample food and purchase the products that interest you most.

With language assistance from Yuri, you will also interact with the shopkeepers to discover their stories and learn more about each of these ingredients, how they can be prepared and used, and their significance in Japanese culture. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you sample their unique offerings and stroll through the shop in search of unique local specialties.