It’s been difficult to blog since we’ve arrived in Japan. I think the time difference and the stress of traveling in general had finally caught up with us; both Drew and I have been feeling sluggish and under the weather.

We started our Tokyo stay with a food tour in the Shinjuku district of the City, known for its entertainment and shopping. Amanda, our tour guide, was a 20-something Canadian who’s lived in Japan for the last 3 years, and her knowledge of the culture and command of the language were impressive.

We visited five Izakaya (Japanese pubs), each had its own distinct specialty*. We started with some juicy fried gyoza (pork dumplings) at Dandadan and Tokyo-style takoyaki (octopus balls) at Gindaco. We then tried different types of grilled chicken skewers known as yakitori at Garakuta. Who knew chicken neck can be so tasty! All paired with what seemed to be Japanese’s favorite drink, Highball, whiskey mixed with soda.

Our next stop was truly a gem. Takamaru is owned by a fishmonger and offers fresh menu everyday. At Takamaru, we tried a few different kinds of sashimi and cooked fish, including fried (non-poisonous) puff fish. We topped off our night with dessert at Sake Bar Doron, a small upscale izakaya and bar serving craft sake and modern fusion dishes.

While on the tour we also walked through Shinjuku’s red light district, Kabukicho. Clean and with Godzilla as its ambassador, the seediness of the area is not immediately apparent until well into the night, when the neon lights come on and the streets are lined with picture of young looking girls with big eyes. We even passed by several “information” centers that would give you recommendations on “establishments” to visit based on what you’re looking for. The overall sense we got is that the courtesan culture is common and accepted in Japan.

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the trip. None of these restaurants we visited were touristy (maybe with the exception of Gindaco), which is a plus. We highly recommend the Best of Izakaya food tour offered by Ninja Food Tours for anyone looking for a fun culinary and cultural experience in Tokyo!

*A good Izakaya has its own specialty. One can usually tell by the menu offering.