The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched the website “GO TOKYO Gourmet” to showcase Tokyo’s diverse food attractions to domestic and overseas visitors. Content is available in Japanese and English.
The website features articles and videos about Tokyo’s diverse food offerings and the depth of its food culture. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government hopes the site will deepen visitors’ interest in Tokyo’s food attractions and encourage them to visit the Japanese capital and experience its diverse cuisine firsthand.
Tokyo’s culinary appeal lies in its diversity, ranging from traditional dishes passed down since the Edo period (which lasted for about 260 years from 1603), such as “sushi” (vinegared rice with sliced raw fish on top) and “tempura” (deep-fried seafood), to cuisine from around the world, locally sourced ingredients rooted in Tokyo’s natural environment, and high-quality restaurants where renowned chefs from Japan and abroad showcase their skills.
The site not only provides gourmet information but also highlights the depth of Tokyo’s food culture, including its history and traditions dating back to the Edo period, its evolution and development up to the present day, the thoughts and ingenuity of the capital city’s food professionals, the everyday meals of Tokyo residents, and the future of Tokyo’s food scene, including sustainability and diversity.
The site also posts information on how to eat Japanese food, unique Japanese services and customs, food-related events in Tokyo, and sites for making restaurant reservations in the capital (including vegan and halal options).
The content of the site includes:
- Perspectives from chefs appointed as Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors, chefs active in Tokyo, food specialists, and other leading figures in various food-related fields, who explore and reveal the depth of Tokyo’s food culture.
- Food culture section on Edo period that delves into iconic Edo dishes, including sushi, eel, tempura and “soba” (buckwheat noodles served in a broth); the evolution of the dining-out culture that flourished in Edo; locally sourced ingredients, including “Traditional Edo-Tokyo vegetables”; the connection between food and Tokyo’s unique culture, such as “kabuki” (traditional drama) and “yakatabune” (houseboat) dining; and sustainable practices and philosophies that have continued since the Edo period.
- A section highlighting popular food experiences among travelers by focusing on Tokyo’s everyday meals, such as “ramen” noodles (which have gained global popularity), rice balls, convenience store gourmet food, and the city’s distinctive vending machine culture. The section also introduces a wide range of choices available in Tokyo, including vegan, halal, and gluten-free options.
- To make dining experiences more delicious, comfortable and satisfying, the website provides information on how to enjoy Japanese food, as well as unique Japanese services and manners. The site also posts information on food-related events held in Tokyo.
Information will be updated on various social media platforms.
YouTube: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official: https://www.youtube.com/@go-tokyo-gourmet_official
Instagram: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official: https://www.instagram.com/gotokyogourmet_official
Facebook: GO TOKYO Gourmet Official: https://www.facebook.com/GOTOKYOGourmet
