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Secret Food Tours: Kyoto
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3 - 3½ hours
9 stops
10 people max
English
Local food and culture
Award winning
What you'll do
The Karasuma and Gion districts are a perfect spot for those who care for local food and cultural exploration. It is an interesting and unique area to dig deep into Kyoto's distinctive cuisine and atmosphere. Our carefully crafted tour will help you avoid the countless tourist traps that have now become as numerous as the temples and will show you venues that have been in business for generations .
This tour is most suitable for Japanese classic food lovers, foodies for unique street food, and the adventurous who love unbeaten tracks in Japan. You will realise our unique features and how they shape our living. On our food tours, we invite you to the daily culinary diets of the local residents.
- The tour begins with walking towards Nishiki street market. We will sit and enjoy a bowl of Katsudon.
- Then, we will make our way to the entrance of the Nishiki market.
- Our first stop there will be to enjoy one of Kyoto’s specialties, the Yuba Tofu.
- The next stop will be our secret dish.
- Getting thirsty and curious to know the difference between a Ginjo or a DaiGinjo sake? This stop will be a peekaboo in the almighty world of Japanese sake.
- Everyone knows surimi, but no one knows real Japanese fish cakes. Once you have tried our freshly made ones, you won’t be able to go back to the orange and white stick.
- We will pick our first dessert to be eaten later at one of the oldest artisan stores in the market. The choice of fruit may differ according to the season for our lovely Daifuku.
- Over the years it has made its way to the top three street food dishes of the Kansai area, the wagyu sushi.
- As we leave the Nishiki area, we will pay our respect to the local Tenma Shinto shrine and make our way toward Pontocho and the Kamo river .
- Once in Gion, we will make a stop in a very quaint restaurant for a well deserved rest and a lovely Kyoto style Okonomiyaki.
- Last but not least Kyoto is the Matcha green tea city and is known for its numerous tea parlours and ceremonies, so we will take you to one of the best place to enjoy a hot or iced cup of tea.
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When you purchase our Upgraded Drinks Package, YOU'LL ENJOY THE FOLLOWING IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS ALREADY SERVED ON THE TOUR:
- One larger serving of Japanese Draft Beer at the Katsudon restaurant.
- One glass of Lemon Chuhai (soda water, lemon and shochu alcohol) to go along nicely with the Wagyu Sushi
- A sweet touch with the plum wine on the rock at the okonomiyaki place
*Please note that the itinerary is subject to small change, based on the locations availability and weather
Book Your Tour
$130/ person
If you have any issues with payment, please email us at [email protected] with the city, date and time of tour, and how many adult and child's tickets you need so we can assist you.
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
What is a
Secret Food Tour?
Photos of
Secret Food Tours: Kyoto
What you'll taste
THE FOOD
- The most renowned Yuba Tofu preparation
- Katsudon with a sweet twist
- Okonomiyaki in its Kyoto version
- A seared Wagyu sushi
- Freshly made fishcakes
- Our Secret Dish
- A Daifuku mochi with a fruit of season
DRINKS
- A glass of draft beer
- Water served in most Food Houses
- A japanese tea (iced or hot) tasting at the tea shop
- A tasting of a various sake from the Kyoto region
- Upgraded Drinks Options
Due to the nature of creating a well balanced and thoughtful gastronomy experience, many of our tours are unable to accommodate certain dietary restrictions. Please contact us prior to booking your tour to see if we are able to accommodate your dietary needs.
WHY THE NISHIKI AND GION AREA
400 years old Nishiki market is a cornerstone of any visits to Kyoto, but even more so post Corona lockdown, the area has seen countless of tourist traps flourishing within its narrow gallery, it has become a goal for us at Secret Food Tours to lead you and introduce you to dedicated artisans that start to work at 5am and carry a business that has gone through many generations. As for the Gion area, we will leave it to you to enjoy the old houses on the poshest Minami Gion or the more traditional ones in the Kita Gion area and not to forget the Yasaka Shrine waiting for you
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Meeting Spot
We'll meet in front of the Starbucks across the street from exit 5 of the Subway Karasuma Oike Station. Our guide will be standing to greet you with our orange umbrella, so we're easy to spot! If you have any questions. Please email us.
Daily10:45 a.m.
in front of the Starbucks across the street from exit 5 of the Subway Karasuma Oike Station
Your guide will be waiting with an orange umbrella and a big smile, so that they are easy to spot.
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
WHY THE NISHIKI AND GION AREA
400 years old Nishiki market is a cornerstone of any visits to Kyoto, but even more so post Corona lockdown, the area has seen countless of tourist traps flourishing within its narrow gallery, it has become a goal for us at Secret Food Tours to lead you and introduce you to dedicated artisans that start to work at 5am and carry a business that has gone through many generations. As for the Gion area, we will leave it to you to enjoy the old houses on the poshest Minami Gion or the more traditional ones in the Kita Gion area and not to forget the Yasaka Shrine waiting for you
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See Our Other Secret Tours
in Kyoto
Help Center
Frequently asked Questions
How do I order?
Simply go to our "Book Now" page where we detail our tours. Select your tour, the time of your tour, and book it!
Are you looking for something special? Are you organising an event? Just email us at Group & Private Tours and we will do our best to arrange something that suits you.
After your booking is made, we will send you an automatic email confirmation. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact us via email
*Please note if you are using a special promo code then enter it in the "Voucher Code" section before you select the amount of tickets you would like to purchase*
What is included in the food tour?
All the delicious food and drinks, but if you want more alcohol (and who doesn't?) We offer a upgraded drinks package that gives you 3 drinks, taxes included.
Where is the meeting spot?
In front of the Starbucks across the street from the Subway Karasuma Oike Station, Exit 5. Our guide will be standing to greet you with our Secret Food Tours orange umbrella, so we're easy to spot!
In case you can't find the meeting spot、 you can ask by showing this (地下烏丸線と東西線烏丸御池駅、出口5、スターバックスコーヒー 京都三条烏丸ビル店) to the local people.
»»CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS««
Where will the tour end?
We end our tour at the entrance of the Minami Gion district, the closest subway station is just a couple minutes away, Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line, and a few steps away you have the Yasaka shrine. However, you can depart at any convenient spot, please advise your guide and you will be pointed in the right direction to explore on your own.
Is your food tour suitable for a vegetarian or someone with other dietary requirements?
You can always tell our guides of any food allergies or special dietary requirements. We will adapt the menu so you can fully enjoy the tour! If you have any doubts or concerns, feel free to email us at [email protected] before booking. Unfortunately, this tour is not gluten free and not suitable for vegans.
I am travelling with my family, is the tour ok for infants/children?
Children are quite welcome and it's free for any child 2 years or under. We can give them non-alcoholic drinks and you are free to enjoy the tour with your entire family of all ages.
I don't drink alcohol. Can I book your tour?
There is one alcoholic drink on this tour, but it can be easily replaced for a non-alcoholic option. Just inform our guide before your tour starts if you have any special request. During the tasting, water is available in most of the food locations.
Is there enough food during your tour?
Think of the tour as a tasting menu. As we travel you get many delicious treats that comprise 9 food/drinks tastings. More than enough so you will not feel hungry after the tour.
Where do I add my discount voucher?
I would like to take your tour but it is already fully booked. Is there a way I can do the tour?
Our tours are often sold out very quickly. If the date requested is not available, please do not hesitate to email us and see if there is anything we can do. We cannot promise, but we will try our best to sort something out for you.
Is there a lot of walking?
To join our food tour, you must wear comfortable shoes. There will be around one hour and half to two hours of walking, but it is not too difficult and is broken up between food stops. The guide walks at the pace of the tour members.
Accessibility
Due to the nature of the arcade and the business of that street, wheelchairs and baby strollers can not be used.
Pregnancy
The tour is suitable for pregnant clients replacement being provided and soft drink available instead alcohol
How many people max are on this tour?
We take 10 people maximum. If there are more than 10 people, please do not hesitate to email us and we will try to see if we can accommodate.
I cannot find a way to print the confirmation. Is it OK if I have it on my phone?
You do not have to print your voucher. A confirmation on your phone will be fine!
If I purchase a voucher as a gift, or am given a voucher how long is it valid for?
All of our vouchers expire one year from the date of purchase.
Can I choose my own meat?
Our guide will take care of everything but in some establishment you will be given the opportunity to pick your prefered flavour
Where does your food come from?
Top quality, fresh and local, prepared on order or made fresh on the day!
What if it rains or I change my plans?
The weather is unpredictable in Osaka especially in early and late summer seasons. Bring an umbrella with you. We will try rerouting so we are not affected as much but please come prepared for the weather, luckily the arcade is covered so only a very small portion of the tour would be affected. In the case that a huge typhoon is approaching and any considerable difficulties and risks are predicted, the tour will be cancelled for your safety. Such cancellation will be notified to you in advance, at least a few hours before the tour. You will receive a full refund in that case. Also, there might be no tours during the period from December 29, to January 6, as most Food Houses will be flooded by locals and very difficult to run the tour so please do get in touch with us to check if the tours are running. We do not issue refunds as per our https://www.secretfoodtours.com/terms-and-conditions/ if this is a case that you change your plan.
Can I pay the tour in cash?
You must book directly on our website. We do not accept cash payments. Our online payment is safe, secured and SSL protected.
Why do we need to pay for booking fee?
The booking fee that you have to pay is up to our ticket provider and we can't change it. All our clients need to pay for it upon booking. The booking fee charged contributes to the cost of the ticketing system to provide an excellent service to our customers.
Foreign Transaction Fees
A few banks have charged their customers an extra fee while booking with us (this isn't the booking fee but another fee added by the bank). We think this is unfair, if this happens let us know by showing us in your bank statement and we will refund as a gesture of good will.
