Spring and Fall Tabearuki Campervan Road Trip: 2 Weeks of Japan’s Best Street Food

With campervan rental, Tokyo is a fantastic place to start your journey. You can collect your campervan in Chiba and ease into the trip with a wander around Tokyo’s food districts. If you’re near Makuhari, check out the area around Kaihin-Makuhari for malls, casual dining, and easy parking.

Tabearuki-style bites to try in Chiba include:

• Yakitori and kushi-age skewers in local izakaya alleys
• Peanut snacks (Chiba is famous for peanuts, so keep an eye out for peanut soft-serve and senbei)

If you have time, it’s worth wandering around Chiba Shrine and nearby shopping streets for a gentle first-night stroll.

The next day, you can drive into Tokyo early and park on the outskirts or at a bookable lot (Tokyo driving is doable, just plan your parking!). Your first big tabearuki zone lies ahead in Asakusa. Here, there is a fantastic walkable food district to explore called Nakamise-dori. Some must-try dishes include:

• Ningyo-yaki (little sponge cakes filled with sweet bean)
• Age-manju (fried sweet buns)
• Senbei (grilled rice crackers)
• Melonpan or filled buns for an easy dessert hit

Finish with an evening stroll along Sumida Park for spring blossoms if they’re peaking.

For day 3, start at Tsukiji Outer Market for one of Japan’s best “walk and nibble” mornings. Even if you avoid big sit-down sushi, the street-food energy here is unmatched. Some key highlights include:

• Tamagoyaki (sweet omelette on a stick)
• Grilled scallops, uni, ikura tasting bites

・ Strawberry daifuku (a spring favourite)

After Tsukiji, swing through Ginza for food basements (depachika). Although not “street” food, it’s the perfect grab-and-go seasonal treat you can picnic with.

Day 4 is a great time in your trip to soak up the walkable neighbourhoods that offer an assortment of delightful snacks. Harajuku and Omotesando have an incredible blend of sweet and slightly strange foodie offerings. Be sure to try:

• Crepes (the iconic Harajuku street dessert)
• Cheese dogs, karaage cups, seasonal soft-serve

Afterwards, you can decompress in Yoyogi Park with takeout, before heading to Shimokitazawa for vintage browsing and cosy street-side eats. Look out for curry bread, craft croquettes and standing bars nearby.

On day 5, it’s time to leave Tokyo behind for new flavours. By motorhome, Tokyo to Yokohama should take you less than an hour of driving. Upon arrival, search out Yokohama’s Chinatown, as it is a renowned tabearuki district. This part of the city offers Chinese delicacies such as:

• Nikuman (steamed pork buns)
• Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
• Tanghulu (candied fruit skewers)
• Sesame balls and bakery buns for dessert

Afterwards, spend some time in Yamashita Park and Motomachi for a slower, scenic digest.

Shifting gears for day 6, it’s time to rest and digest all of that delicious food! Head to Hakone for a proper spring mountain breather. Hakone has more “snack stops” than nonstop street stalls, but it’s perfect to break up the route west. Some food stops to consider here include:

• Hakone Yumoto shopping street for manju and small bites
• Kuro-tamago (black eggs) in Owakudani (if accessible)
• Onsen manju for the classic hot-spring sweet

Soak, stroll, and get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow you will be taking on a slightly longer drive.

On day 7, you’ll be taking an hour-and-a-half drive toward Shizuoka, a region made for road trips and seafood grazing. In particular, the Shimizu Fish Market is a must-visit if you’re a fan of seafood. Here, you can try local delicacies such as:

• Fresh tuna bites (Shizuoka is famous for it)
• Sakura ebi (cherry shrimp) if you spot it
• Wasabi snacks and local citrus treats

If the skies are clear, detour to the viewpoints for photos of Mt. Fuji. At this time of year, the spring light can be stunning, making for the perfect photo opportunity by the iconic mountain.

Day 8 kicks off with another long drive, this time it’s about 3 hours to Nagoya. This seaport city is a tabearuki sleeper hit, and Osu Shopping Street is the reason. Covered arcades, side alleys, and constant snack shops mean maximum eating with minimal walking effort. Some local specialities to look out for here include:

• Miso katsu (try it as a skewer, sandwich, or small plate)
• Tebasaki (peppery chicken wings)
• Uiro (Nagoya sweet rice cake) for dessert

In the evening, you can head to the Sakae district to soak up the sights and attractions. If you’re still peckish, then pop into an izakaya for some late-night grub.

Day 9 sees you travelling towards Ise, one of Japan’s most joyful tabearuki zones. Here, you can wander along historic streets built for strolling and snacking. The Okage Yokocho, near Ise Jingu, is a fantastic food district that you should dedicate some time to. Here, you can try:

• Ise udon (soft noodles with rich sauce)
• Akafuku (famous mochi sweet)
• Grilled seafood, croquettes, and seasonal treats from small stalls

It’s touristy at times, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself. Ise offers true tabearuki perfection, so soak it up!

Day 10 brings you to the iconic city of Kyoto. A city that is rich in history and culture, Kyoto is also a must for market grazing. Parking may be difficult, so be sure to plan ahead.

Start at Nishiki Market, then branch into nearby streets and riverside paths. Some nibbles to keep an eye out for include:

• Yuba (tofu skin) snacks
• Pickles and small grilled bites
• Matcha sweets and strawberry desserts in spring

In the evening, wander Gion and Pontocho for lantern-lit streets and snackable izakaya-style plates.

For day 11, drive for around an hour from Kyoto to arrive in Osaka. Known as Japan’s kitchen, this city is the perfect destination for your street-food grand finale. Dotonbori is built for walking and eating. Some iconic Osaka bites include:

• Takoyaki (octopus balls)
• Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake)
• Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers)
• Ikayaki (grilled squid pancake)

Aim for smaller portions so you can keep grazing all night. In somewhere like Osaka, you really need to focus on endurance if you want to experience all of the flavours here.

Day 12 can be a great time to delve a little deeper into Osaka’s food scene. Start at Kuromon Ichiba for market grazing, then head to Shinsekai for old-school Osaka vibes. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy traditionally grilled seafood, fruit cups and succulent wagyu skewers.

With day 13, it’s time to begin the journey back east with two rewarding food stops. We recommend stopping off in Himeji for a visit to Himeji Castle. From here, you can grab a few quick bites around the station area.

Then, head towards Kobe to sample some of their delicacies. A great option is enjoying an evening tabearuki in Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown). It’s a bit smaller than Yokohama but packed with great bites (buns, dumplings, sweets).

This is your longest drive day, about 7-8 hours, so treat it like a rolling snack tour. Japan’s konbini (convenience stores) are your secret weapon here. You can load up on onigiri, seasonal sandwiches, desserts, and hot snacks. This makes for a perfect “last tabearuki supper” even when you’re on the move.

Arrive back in Chiba, refuel, return the campervan, and finish with one last local meal, you’ve earned it!

Check out some of our recommended Itinerary here:

• See Our Introducing Japanese Drive-In Restaurants to Your RV Adventure
• See Our 8 Regional Crafts and Souvenirs to Buy During Your RV Trip Across Japan
• See Our 6 Culinary Adventures to Explore on Wheels: Discovering Japan’s Regional Cuisines by RV

Looking for more? Find a huge range of different routes and road trip itineraries across Japan.