Top 6 Market Tours in Japan

1.Tokyo Washoku 4-hour Cooking Class: From Market to Table

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · from $79Our pick

Start near Iriya Station with a supermarket visit led by a local guide such as April, Yuri, or Alice. Choose Japanese ingredients, then cook makisushi, miso soup, dashimaki tamago, and nasu dengaku in a small-group studio. Recipes go home with you, and sake or beer may join the meal.

“Nigiri was a very good teacher. She was happy to share her knowledge of cooking ingredients. I got to do a lot of hands on cooking and the recipes were tasty and not complicated. I am looking forward to trying them at home.”

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2.Tsukiji: Outer Market Walking Tour & Sake Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 81 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Meet guides such as Kumi, Kyoko, Sarah, or Yuki at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple for prayer guidance and a food walk through the Outer Market. Then taste 50 to 60 sakes with a sommelier, plus snacks. Market food costs extra, and children receive tea, soft drinks, and snacks.

“What an awesome experience! Perfect blend of seeing the market and the temple and a local sake experience! Would recommend to any first time japan visitors”

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3.Tsukiji Market Eating Tour, Authentic Sushi & Sake Comparison

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $30

Spend about three hours exploring Tsukiji with an English-speaking guide, tasting market snacks, comparing three types of sake, and finishing with a fresh sushi lunch. The group is capped at six, and guides such as Ariel add local food advice and help you choose what to try.

“What a fantastic tour! Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed every minute and we probably would have been lost in terms of what to try had it not been for Ariel, our amazing guide. The stalls we visited and foods we tried were diverse (skewers, desserts, sake, sushi) and Ariel's energy and kindness made the experience all the better. Highly recommend this tour!”

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4.Osaka: Cooking Class & Sake Tasting with Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Join an English-speaking guide such as Chie, Eri, or Akko for a supermarket visit and hands-on cooking class near Minami Morimachi. Prepare niku-sui, okonomiyaki, and gyoza, enjoy three canned drinks, and take home recipes for easy cooking.

“Our instructor was Chie & she was amazing. She was so fun & friendly. She made it such an enjoyable experience for my friend group. A bonus was all the history she taught us about Japans different areas. The food was delicious! We really enjoyed going to the market prior to starting the class. You can tell that Chie really loves what she does and really enjoys teaching people. Would absolutely recommend her to anyone!!! Just book this experience!”

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5.Private Nishiki Market Food & Sake Tour by Young Local Guides

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $6Best value

You’ll explore Nishiki Market with a young local guide such as Hiyori, beginning at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine. Expect Kyoto specialties, vegetarian and vegan suggestions, sweets, sake-shop tasting, and time for food souvenirs. The tour is private and lasts about two hours.

“My wife and I had an incredible tour of the Nishiki Market with Hiyori!!! She was very knowledgeable of the market and local trends!! We learned a lot about the culture and had some great bites!!! Be sure to bring cash as some of the vendorRead more”

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6.Nishiki Market, Private Sushi class & Sake Tasting in Townhouse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $121

Walk Kyoto’s 400-year-old Nishiki Market with an English-speaking guide, visit Nishiki Shrine, then prepare rolled sushi, dashi-based miso soup, side dishes, and dessert in a private Kyomachiya. A mini sake tasting, lunch, recipe booklet, and vegetarian or vegan options with advance notice are included.

“My family and I had a wonderful time with this experience on our recent trip to Kyoto. The first part is a tour of the bustling Nishiki market past stalls carving through whole tunas and selling all kinds fresh seafood and other sundries. OuRead more”

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