Local Food Tour in Fun & Friendly Sugamo

If you’ve come to Japan before, you’ve probably visited Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku. But what about the “Harajuku for Old Ladies”?

Welcome to Sugamo, the retro neighborhood with an older demographic than its fashion-forward, trendsetting counterpart. That’s not to say that Sugamo isn’t just as colorful though, as the neighborhood is notable for stores dedicated to grandma-approved lucky red underpants in all shapes and sizes. And, just as grandchildren everywhere leave grandma’s house completely stuffed with home-cooking, you’ll leave this Sugamo food tour with a satisfied belly.

A neighborhood with 100 years of history, Sugamo is the perfect place to indulge in some classic Japanese snacks. Still a hidden gem, this is a great place to mingle with locals, and you’re unlikely to run into crowds of tourists. Accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, you’ll find yourself immersed in the atmosphere of a truly local, residential area in Tokyo. Your guide will help you communicate with the kind shopkeepers, and show you around the best places to eat.

First, you'll start at a local sweets shop that has been doing business for around 100 years. The snacks here are Sugamo originals, which can only be found here! They reinvent old traditional snacks with new twists. Then, you'll stroll through the 800-meter long Jizo Dori Shopping Street where you can try regional delights from all over Japan. You'll also make a stop at a well-known temple and learn about the unique local culture of Sugamo.

Then, you're off to lunch, with a few stops in between to browse the eclectic little shops along the way, selling everything from traditional handicrafts to pickles to snacks! After lunch, you'll wind your way back through a few more of the shops and wash down the meal with more delicious Japanese sweets and snacks.