Japan · DRINKING TOURS
34 reviewed
Japan runs on reservations, so start here: the 15 drinking tours worth your dates, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Read the top three, then book whichever fits your calendar.
Three secret Shinjuku izakaya stops with included all-you-can-drink and snack plates, guided by locals, plus photos.
“Excellent way to see multiple bars and restaurants in Shinjuku with a local host. Good way to spend a few hours.”
Walk Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai with an English guide, ending at karaoke, with local bar access.
“A great experience to experiment going out like a local . Toshi is great your guide that went with us in 3 nice places . I totally recommend!”
Kyoto’s Gion night foodie walk with 9+ dishes, 6 sake tastings, and small-group storytelling across river-side streets.
“Ok experience. The guide was knowledgeable about the area. Too much politics were discussed for my taste,”
Shibuya bar hopping with local izakayas, beef and sake alleys, all-you-can-drink at one stop, plus dishes in a small group.
“We had a great fun guide! And although we were a little jet lagged he gave the best experience of seeing local places we would have not found. We ended the night in a beautiful local bar owned by a famous Japanese singer, and had Karaoke! We even got to meet her! So cool!”
One day in Nagano with Zenko-ji Temple, a guided sake tasting, and Jigokudani snow monkeys, plus lunch and transport for one set price.
“It was amazing. Our tour guide was A+!! That experience was unmatched. Lunch was delicious. Seeing the monkeys has always been a dream of mine and this exceeded my expectations.”
Namba’s nightlife by foot, with 3 izakaya bars and 6 included tastes, plus temple stops and guide help ordering in Osaka.
“The local guide, Reo, is very familiar to the place and we have a great time during this tour. He is friendly and talkative. 😊 The food and the drink is wonderful.”
Join a 5-hour Tokyo pub crawl in Roppongi with free shots, bar discounts, and an ending at SEL OCTAGON TOKYO.
“Great pub crawl where they definitely try to get you drunk.”
3-hour Kyoto sake tour at Gekkeikan Okura Museum with 10 tastings, otsumami pairings, and label tips for ordering.
“WOW! Our guide Kyoko was so friendly and cared so much about helping us learn about sake. The museum tour was very interesting and gave us a good base level of understanding before we tasted so much sake! The way the tasting waRead more”
A 3-hour Shinjuku bar crawl through Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, and Kabukicho, with a guide to help you order.
“It was the most amazing experience!!! Thank you. The Karaoke time is unbelievable great! The vibe of our tourist guide was great!”
Kyoto’s Arashiyama highlights in one guided walking loop: bamboo grove, private Okochi Sanso garden, Tenryuji, monkeys, and big river views.
“Best tour ive been on so far. Interesting and stunning scenery. Would highly reccomend. Guide was interesting and instructions were easy.”
Zenko-ji Temple, sake tasting, and snow monkeys in winter, with a guided day trip from Nagano or Hakuba for great value.
“I had a brilliant time exploring Zenkoji Temple and seeing the snow monkeys! Hishiro and Shin were brilliant!”
Kyoto bar-hopping walking tour with a local guide, Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi izakayas, and Japanese sake tasting. Small group, cash-based.
“Moto was an amazing tour guide! Took us to a really good izakaya and sake tasting bar. Ending the night in a karaoke. 100% would recommend”
Learn sake in Kyoto’s Fushimi district with a museum visit, 10+ tastings, and food pairing tips for ordering confidently.
“I learned so much about Nihon Shu and the different grades and flavors. How each paired with different foods was very informative whuch I will apply in my future dining.”
Walk Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district with the Gekkeikan museum and an 18-style tasting. Small group, photos included, 3 hours.
“We had a great time on the tour. Our guide was lovely, very knowledgable about sake and guided us around the breweries. She was also great company during the tasting, and there was plenty of sake to taste! She also helpfully gave us some suggestions on other places to visit during our stay as well as sharing links and pictures after the tour. Thank you very much!”
Kyoto bar hopping in Pontocho backstreets with a certified guide, 3 bars, 3-4 dishes, and 3-4 drinks.
“Moeka san did a great job to bring us around for food and drinks. She definitely tried to accommodate our questions and requests. We had good time afterwards as well. Thank you, Moeka san.”
