I'm Yuki — I'll Take You to the Izakayas in Shimokitazawa That Tokyo Locals Use

My name is Yuki and I grew up in Shimokitazawa, which is the neighbourhood in Tokyo that Tokyoites themselves go to when they want to eat well and not be bothered by anyone famous. It is full of tiny izakayas — Japanese drinking restaurants — that seat 8 people, have no menu in English, and serve food that is significantly better than what you get in the tourist districts. I take groups of maximum 4 through three izakayas over an evening: the first for yakitori and cold Sapporo, the second for kushikatsu and sake, the third for ramen at midnight when the cooks eat themselves. I handle all ordering and translation. You eat what I tell you to eat. Everything on this tour is extraordinary.