Shibuya Hikarie

At 3 award-winning ramen shops, sample 6 completely different mini bowls of delicious ramen. These are approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the size of full ramen bowls, which allows you to eat a great variety of ramen on your tour. Choose 6 from a selection of 11 ramen mini bowls. Learn all about ramen, from its history to its preparation. Discover a different ramen topic at each of the shops, via colorful handouts and visuals.  The tour will take place in three unique Tokyo neighborhoods, including Shibuya. At shop 1 sample light fish ramen and learn about ramen origins and types. Head to a cozy little ramen shop with unique fish-based ramen that you would not find outside of Japan. At shop 2 savory curry ramen and learn about ramen preparation. Have perfectly balanced curry ramen with flavors that you will never forget. At shop 3 sample a fusion pork ramen and learn about ramen trends and the future for ramen. These are perhaps the best bowls for photographs. Enjoy this fun and delicious fusion tonkotsu ramen. 

Join a friendly local guide to get an authentic experience of Tokyo’s quirky underbelly on a personalized tour of bustling Shibuya and pop culture paradise Harajuku. Get a snapshot of the city’s weird and wonderful attractions as you’re led down its liveliest streets (and those only locals know about). You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. First, meet your guide in bohemian Shimokitazawa, an area that’s off the Tokyo tourist trail where local artists and musicians move between cool thrift shops and vintage record stores lining tightly packed streets too narrow for cars. Peer into the tiny shops on your way to Tomigaya, a quiet oasis filled with cafes and artisanal coffee shops not far from frenetic, flashy Shibuya, then stroll through Nabeshima Shoto Park – once a tea plantation in the late 1800s, today the park is a popular spot for locals to kick back on a bench and watch the world go by. Next, stop off at the strangely out-of-place Moyai Statue, a massive landmark modeled on the Moai of Easter Island, then make the mad dash across Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest intersections in the world (and certainly the busiest in Japan). Jostle your way through hordes of locals on your way to the zelkova tree-lined avenue of upmarket Omotesando, and pass cool designer stores – and even some urban farm animals – on your way to bright and bustling Takeshita Street, a pedestrian shopping exploding with colorful boutiques, cafes, and eateries. Then, why not grab a bite (or several)? Catch your breath with a drink at the whimsical Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku, a quintessential snapshot of the area’s obsession with all things adorable. Check out the Purikura (print club) shop, where 25 retro photo booth machines make a great alternative to a selfie stick, and end your day in one of Tokyo's largest city parks, Yoyogi, with a peaceful stroll to the century-old Meiji Shrine. Your personalized itinerary will be planned according to the number of hours booked and adapted to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local tour operator's team will be in touch, so let them know if you have any special requirements.