Tokyo’s “Big Local”: Food, Boutiques and Culture in Ebisu

(6 reviews)

Tokyo audio tour: Tokyo’s “Big Local”: Food, Boutiques and Culture in Ebisu

This is a 1.9mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Tokyo

Japan

$11.99

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About the Tour

Tokyo’s Ebisu neighborhood blends sophisticated urban style with a local vibe that sets it apart from more touristy districts.

On this walking tour, you’ll explore what locals call “Tokyo’s big local city” – a community-focused area known for exceptional dining, stylish boutiques, and cultural attractions. You’ll also discover how this former brewery district became one of Tokyo’s most desirable neighborhoods.

The tour starts at the iconic Ebisu statue outside the station, named after one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods and the Yebisu Beer once brewed nearby. As you stroll past vibrant murals, you’ll find out how this area evolved from an industrial brewing center into a sophisticated urban hotspot, while maintaining its unique character.

You’ll see the impressive Yebisu Garden Place complex, built on the former brewery grounds and connected to the station by an elegant sky walk. You’ll pass the renowned Tokyo Photographic Art Museum and countless exceptional dining options. The tour ends at charming Ebisu Park, a beloved local green space featuring the neighborhood’s iconic octopus slide and a glimpse of everyday Tokyo life.

On this 60-minute walking tour, you’ll have a chance to:

Cross the historic “America Bridge,” originally exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair before being transported to Tokyo
Discover Ebisu Yokocho, a nostalgic food alley with 20 different eateries, offering everything from yakitori to modern wine bars
Experience Bar Trench, one of Asia’s premier cocktail destinations known for its dedication to absinthe and herbal spirits
Explore 2nd-Boom, a curated vintage clothing store where owners source authentic American vintage wear directly from the US
Visit the tranquil Ebisu Shrine, dedicated to Japanese deity of prosperity, fishermen and merchants
Browse specialty shops like The Harvest Kitchen General Store with its carefully curated kitchen tools and home goods
Learn about Bar TRACK, a sophisticated “listening bar” where the music comes first and conversation is kept quiet

This tour introduces you to a stylish Tokyo neighborhood that perfectly balances urban sophistication with authentic local character, making it an ideal place to explore beyond the typical tourist path.

Tour Producer

Jason Garcia

4 tours

Hi, I'm Jason.

I've lived in Tokyo since 2017. As a professional photographer, one of my many goals is to use my digital and film cameras to capture, everyday scenes. In addition to having the good fortune to have my work displayed in numerous photography exhibitions here in Tokyo, my work has been featured in a large number of magazines in Japan, the United States, and Canada.

I love interacting with tourists, showing newcomers around Tokyo, and working with international creatives. My life revolves around my tours and photo walks, which invite people to take their time and intentionally explore Tokyo. Together, we venture beyond the popular tourist destinations to discover hidden gems and occasionally peaceful outskirts of specific neighborhoods — areas of Tokyo that some people never see. I'm excited to tell you these fascinating tales and give you an unforgettable time in Tokyo. Oh, and if you're looking for portraits, I'm your guy. Connect with me for a fun session.

Preview Location

Location 1

Start: Ebisu Statue

Hi! You should be standing next to the Ebisu statue located at the west exit of Ebisu Station.

My name is Jason. I've lived in Tokyo since 2017 and I'm constantly out and about, soaking up Tokyo's sights, sounds, and culture. I always have a camera by my side as well, makin... Hi! You should be standing next to the Ebisu statue located at the west exit of Ebisu Station.

My name is Jason. I've lived in Tokyo since 2017 and I'm constantly out and about, soaking up Tokyo's sights, sounds, and culture. I always have a camera by my side as well, making sure I take a ton of photos while I'm touring the city.

On our tour today, we'll be walking around Ebisu, pronounced "eh-bee-soo", but if you want to sound like a local, just say, "Eh-bees". I like to call this area, "Tokyo's big local city". It just feels less touristy, more down home, and it seems to have more "community" than some areas in Tokyo proper.

A bit about the the statue:
The statue and the entire Ebisu neighborhood are named after Yebisu Beer, which was once brewed in a factory next to the station. The beer is named after Ebisu, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods, the deity of fishermen, merchants, and good fortune.

The Ebisu Station itself was originally built in 1901 as a freight station specifically for transporting the beer produced by the brewery. It was created and donated in 1975 by the Tokyo Ebisu Lions Club to commemorate their 10th anniversary. It was sculpted by Shigeru Kinoshita who was born in 1906.

The statue shows a smiling Ebisu holding his signature sea bream fish, a symbol of good luck and prosperity and its location right outside the bustling station makes it a very common and easily recognizable place for people to meet up!

It really does as a visible link to the area's history, from its origins as a beer factory to its current status as a trendy neighborhood.

Before we get going, let me explain how VoiceMap works.  

VoiceMap uses your location to play audio automatically at the right time and place. You can put your phone in your pocket and simply enjoy the city. If a file doesn’t play when expected, just tap on the pin on your screen to trigger it manually. And if you ever go off route, VoiceMap will help you get back on track.

Let's start our walk.

If you're facing the statue, make a left towards the intersection. When you arrive there, make a right to walk under the bridge to our next location. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

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Major Landmarks

Ebisu Statue by Shigeru Kinoshita
Ebisu Murals
Ebisu Yokocho
Bar TRENCH
2nd-Boom
Ebisu Shrine
Ebisu Sky Walk
Yebisu Garden Place
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
P.F.S. PARTS CENTER
The Harvest Kitchen General Store
Ebisu Park

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
1 Chome-5 Ebisuminami, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan
Total distance

3km
Final location
1-chōme-19-1 Ebisunishi, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Distance back to start location

205.62m

Directions to Starting Point

To get to Ebisu Station and Ebisu Statue, the most straightforward way is by train:

JR Lines: Take the JR Yamanote Line (the Tokyo loop line), the JR Saikyo Line, or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line directly to Ebisu Station.

Subway: Take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Ebisu Station (Station code H-02).

2. Exit the Station
Once you are at Ebisu Station, the statue is located near the main exits:

From the JR Line (Recommended): Take the West Exit (西口, Nishi-guchi). The statue is a very popular meeting point and is usually visible immediately as you exit the ticket gates and head out of the building.

From the Hibiya Line (Subway): The subway platform is underground. Follow the signs for the JR Transfer / West Exit.

The statue is a depiction of Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, holding a large fish. It's a bronze statue located right outside the main area of the station's west side.

Show Directions

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

My favorite place to relax is at Bar Trench. Craft cocktails done right! Also, 2nd Base knows how to show the vintage clothing. So many gems!

Best time of day

You can take this tour anytime, but I prefer after morning rush hour or starting before sunset. Evening rush hour might be hectic, but Ebisu comes alive around this time.

Precautions

Ebisu is incredibly safe, both in the daytime and when we're exploring those little bars at night. Tokyo is one of the world's safest cities, and Ebisu is known for being quiet, upscale, and very well-regulated.

You'll see locals, including women, walking alone late without a thought. So, please relax, keep an eye on your belongings just like you would anywhere, but know that you can feel completely comfortable and at ease here. Let's focus on having a great time and enjoying the beautiful, secure atmosphere!

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”