Best Food Tours in Japan: Exploring Kyoto's Cuisine and Culture with Ninja Food Tours

Story By Christene Meyers

Photos by Bruce Keller

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Knowledgeable American born guide Leandra, left, with our enthusiastic party enjoying delicious Japanese food and beverages in a tour that ranges from appetizers to desserts, a full range of both new and familiar dishes.

Prowling lantern-lit side streets of Kyoto with our savvy American guide, we found an evening with Ninja Food Tours Japan to be more than a food tasting tour.

Leandra guided us through a tasty immersive in flavors, traditions and culture of old Japan. From tiny family-owned restaurants to bustling mall shops and local alleys with sizzling aromas, she shared her beloved Kyoto one memorable bite at a time.

We devoured fresh caught seafood and kelp, sipped several kinds of sake and feasted on succulent wagyu in a tangy balsamic sauce. We enjoyed soymilk donuts, deep fried tuna, marinated veggies and Japanese whisky. Strolling between stops helped break up the gastronomic orgy as we ventured beyond typical tourist stops into the city's culinary hub.

A tasty dish of marinated vegetables and chicken artfully garnished -- beautiful and flavorful.

The ambitious company's carefully curated culinary experiences connects participants to food culture in three different cities -- Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka. Our guide, an Arizona transplant, moved to Japan in 2017 to complement her Japanese studies. Her affection for her adopted city's cuisine shown as she guided us through atmospheric neighborhoods, greeting friends who served tastings both familiar and new, all favorites of Leandra

She began her Japanese immersion as a teen and speaks the language fluently. So through her lively stories, we learned about foods we'd never have discovered on our own.

Culture, cuisine merge on Kyoto food tour

What makes the Kyoto experience compelling is the blend of culture and cuisine. One moment we were walking beneath glowing paper lanterns near centuries-old wooden buildings, and the next we were tasting perfectly grilled yakitori, yummy tofu specialties, seasonal street foods, and desserts unique to Kyoto’s sweet tooth.

Food tour participants get close-up views of the delicacies offered, served by genial waiters and servers.

Kyoto Food Tour highlights with Ninja

Yes, Kyoto is famous for its temples and gardens, but a a Ninja food tour in Japan reveals secrets many travelers miss. The city's culinary landscape unfolded in a blend of history, mystery, and juicy bites. Besides treats in hidden haunts, our journey included dishes inspired by the skill of ninjas -- thus the tour's name. It's fun food with a twist of adventure.

A hidden food stall in Kyoto's narrow alleyway glows with lantern light for a magical Ninja food tour experience.

The Concept Behind Japan's Ninja Food Tour

Ninjas originated in the mountains of ancient Japan and were known for their stealth, secrets and for blending into their surroundings. Leandra's Ninja Food Tour captured this spirit in quiet streets with local spots. As pseudo Ninjas, we moved from one hidden gem to another, sampling food that locals cherish but tourists rarely find. Thus, we:

• Avoided crowded tourist traps

• Tasted unique dishes with historical roots

• Learned about Kyoto’s food culture in an engaging way

Savvy Ninja guide Leandra knows Kyoto like a native. After earning a degree at Arizona State University, she continued her studies in Japan.

What to Expect on Ninja's Kyoto food tour

Our Ninja food tour with Leandra lasted nearly four hours and covered five tasting stops, plus additional treats. We walked through atmospheric residential neighborhoods tucked away behind temples. We sprinted through crowded malls with hundreds of shops and dozens of restaurants. The range was impressive, from informal food stalls with quick ramen meals to family style cafes, cozy sweet shops and formal eateries with lavish whisky menus.

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers pause at a fun poster during a Ninja food tour.

Food tour favorites included fabulous shrimp tempura, roasted sweet potatoes or yaki imo, perfect sashimi, yakitori chicken with ginger and citrus sauce, grilled eggplant with miso paste, deep fried mushrooms with minced chicken, matcha powder pastry and refreshing ice cream -- a pleasing variety of tastes and textures served with pride, grace and stories.

Kyoto is known in Japan for its fine array of sakes, often called rice wine but actually made more like beer.

Broths, seasonings, garlic and miso along with noodles and sweet red bean paste were offered in a variety of tastes -- sometimes subtle, sometimes bursting with flavor. Whether wrapped in paper, like our donut, or served on an elegant platter, the offerings exuded charm and freshness. We were three couples, a baby, and guide. A good time for all.

"Sake to us" -- with rice wine delights from local breweries

Kyoto’s sake is highly regarded. We tasted several varieties to appreciate the subtle differences in aroma and flavor, influenced by the water and rice used in brewing.

Tips for Enjoying Your Ninja Food Tour

Our food tour took us into shops to view offerings we would soon be enjoying in restaurants.

To get the most out of this culinary adventure, keep these tips in mind:

• Wear comfortable shoes: For narrow streets, alleys and possibly several flights of stairs.

• Come hungry and don’t overeat before the tour: Portions are tasting size but add up.

• Ask questions: Guides love sharing stories about food and local culture.

• Bring some cash: Some small vendors don’t accept cards if you order extra items (ours were included.) Although Japanese don't expect tips, our guide was grateful for ours.

• Be open to new flavors: Some dishes might be unfamiliar; give everything a try.

Part of the charm of a Ninja Food Tour is seeing shops and displays with foods that you'll sample.

Beyond Food: The Ninja Experience

We loved our Ninja food tour because it was more than eating. We loved Leandra's anecdotes about culture. This encouraged us to book other tours, including a Kibuki theater evening and a geisha show. Friends enjoyed a tour that included ninja costume rentals and chopstick making lessons.

Whether you are a foodie, history buff, or just a curious traveler, the ninja food tour offers a fresh perspective. We recommend advance reservations. For more information or to book:

www.ninjafoodtours.com/

Instagram @ninjafoodtours

If you're going on to Tokyo, we recommend the Tokyo Pass, a digital, smartphone-based sightseeing ticket that grants travelers cash-free entry to Tokyo's top museums, gardens and cultural attractions. It also offers optional unlimited subway rides: mytokyopass.com

The whisk is an important part of the time honored Japanese tea ceremony.

COMING SOON: We offer tips on seeing bears in the wild as Yellowstone Park opens for the season, and we share more delights of Japan, spotlighting a pair of distinctly different Tokyo hotels. Each personifies an aspect of Japanese hospitality, from art to literature to culinary treats and the beloved tea ceremony. Travel with us to Shiba Park Hotel and Park Hotel Toyko, learn about the excellent Tokyo Pass for value and convenience, enjoy a trio of unusual museums, visit shrines, a vintage train and more. Remember to explore, learn and live and follow us for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, performance, nature and more. Please share the link: www.whereiscookie.com