Published on May, 2025
Our food tour of Shinjuku with Minnie was one of the highlights of our trip. From the start, she was warm, personable, and knowledgeable. We peppered her with many questions—about food, etiquette, everyday life in Japan—and she answered everything with patience and insight. It felt less like a tour and more like spending the evening with a well-informed friend.
We began at a local sushi spot, where Minnie walked us through the customs of sushi dining—when to use wasabi, how to interact with the chef, even where to place our chopsticks. As people who’ve eaten sushi for years, we learned a lot. The food was excellent, and the context made it even more enjoyable.
Next, we wandered through Shinjuku’s Golden Gai district, a maze of narrow alleys and tiny bars. Minnie added just the right amount of history and storytelling to make it feel special without slowing us down.
At our second stop, Minnie grilled four rounds of Kobe beef at the table, explaining the cuts and preparation as we went. The freshly grated wasabi was a nice touch. The food was great, and Minnie made the whole experience easy and relaxed.
The tour ended at a quirky, all-you-can-eat Japanese candy bar—complete with drinks—which perfectly capped the evening with a sense of fun and whimsy.
The “magical” in this review title isn’t just fluff. I completely botched the reservation count (long story), and Minnie calmly made a series of quick, discreet phone calls while literally walking backward through the Shibuya Scramble to secure space for our extra guests. She made what could’ve been a stressful situation feel effortless.
Minnie is a pro. An absolute A+. Highly recommend this tour—and especially her.