Izakaya and Golden Gai: the 15 Best Bar Nights in Japan

1.Tokyo Bar Hopping Tour in Shinjuku (All-You-Can-Drink + Dinner)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,587 reviews · from $106Our pick

Spend about three hours with a local guide such as Yusuke, Yohei, Mao, or Momo, visiting three Shinjuku izakaya bars. You’ll eat grilled dishes, seafood, vegetables, and other snacks while moving through Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and usually Golden Gai. Drinks are included, and the small group makes entering tiny bars much easier.

“We did this experience for my birthday on a Friday night. It was great to have Yohei with us to show us around a busy and lively Shinjuku and the 3 spots we were at were awesome. Highly recommended if you want to experience Shinjuku nightlife but don't know where to start!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping with All-You-Can-Drink & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 440 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Join guides such as Yuki, Yosh, Naoki, or Icchan for three hours of food and drinks in Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai. You’ll try yakitori, gyoza, tofu, seafood, sake, shochu, beer, and more, with dinner, photos, and drinks included. Small groups make it easy to meet people and ask questions.

“It was awesome! Mao was a great guide and showed us some other cool hidden gems along the way. I would definitely go on a tour with him again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Hiroshima Izakaya Food and Drink Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · from $110

Meet at 7 pm in central Hiroshima for a three-hour food and drink walk. Start with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in Okonomimura, then visit two izakayas in Nagarekawacho. Guides such as Kaku, Yoko, Yuji, Hika, Yuki, and Bikky share local tips and history. Drinks are included, but bring cash for extras.

“Kaku was my tour guy, and he was very personable. The food was amazing and he was very knowledgeable about the city. Kaku provided great conversation, laughter, and fun. I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar Hopping Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $118

Spend three hours with a local guide exploring Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Nishishinjuku. You’ll eat five local dishes, enjoy four drinks at two izakayas, then taste four kinds of sake. Guides such as Haru and Yo add neighborhood stories, food advice, and, on some nights, even karaoke.

“Haru was an excellent guide and provided us with great stories around the Shinjuku neighborhood and great recommendations for food.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Shinjuku Izakaya and Golden Gai Bar Hopping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $99

Walk through Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and possibly Golden Gai with a local guide such as Hiro, Ryota, Tak, or Sean. Expect dinner, 6 to 8 food items, three alcoholic drinks, and all-you-can-drink service at one bar. The route can change, and Golden Gai is included by request.

“Experiencing the atmosphere of Shinjuku’s nightlife was so much fun. We were able to visit bars, restaurants and izakayas with a group of 8 people that would have been challenging and a bit intimidating without Hiro’s excellent guidance. Hiro was a fabulous guide and very friendly. We recommend this tour for both first timers and experienced visitors to Shinjuku. And yes, the food was sooo good!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Night Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 137 reviews · 3 hours · from $30Best value

Spend three hours walking Shinjuku with a local guide such as Ayaka, Yuki, Chihiro, or Hajime, stopping at Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai. You will visit three small izakayas, try Japanese food and drinks, learn local customs, and meet other international visitors. Food and drinks cost extra, so bring cash.

“Nana did a great job showing us around! She was very knowledgeable and easy to get along with and so much fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour Highlights (Best Eats)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $80

Spend three hours walking through Shinjuku with guides such as May, Michael, Agathe, Bell, Kay, and Yota. Visit Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai, try 10 or more dishes, sample sake and other drinks, and enter small bars that may have no English menus. The group is advertised as small, with a maximum of 10 in the highlights, though booking details state up to 12.

“Well worth it, gives you a real feel for the city. Places you would not think to visit and authentic Japanese food. Michael was a great guide, made the evening enjoyable and interesting”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Osaka Authentic Local Izakaya Hopping Experience: Food & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · from $39

Join Tetsu, a local Japanese guide, for about three hours of izakaya hopping around Namba, Dotonbori, and Ura-Namba. You’ll visit three or four small pubs, bars, or food stalls, order local dishes and drinks at your own cost, and get help with menus, customs, and conversation. The tiny group suits solo visitors and pairs best.

“Our food & drink tour with Tetsu was great! He showed us 4 different spots across our time together, all of which were local spots and off the beaten path. He provided helpful translation for folks we met at the bars, and good recommendations for specialty drinks/foods to try. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to try new foods & experience local Japanese traditions. Thank you, Tetsu!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Tokyo: Shinjuku Izakaya and Golden Gai Bar Hopping Tour (2h)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 67 reviews · 2 hours · from $96

Join a local English-speaking guide for two hours of food, drinks, and late-night Tokyo streets. Try three alcoholic drinks and six to eight Japanese foods while walking from Omoide Yokocho through Kabukicho to Golden Gai. Guides such as Hiro, Ryota, Shuji, and Ash have led this lively small-group experience.

“Tour was with full of suprises and informative . Sean (the guide ) was great .”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.In Fukuoka! Guide to an izakaya only 100% locals know/Bar Hopping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $264

Meet at 7:30 pm near Kego Park in Tenjin for a three-hour evening with a local guide such as Yu. Visit two izakaya, beginning with fish dishes and moving to yakitori, while your guide helps with ordering and explains Fukuoka food and drink. The group can reach up to 30 people, and food and drink fees should be confirmed before booking.

“Nice to get a taste of some of the better local spots. The guide gave interesting insights to Fukuoka in addition to just the food.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.[Private]Shinjuku Golden Gai Bar Hopping w/ Japanese Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $85

Spend 3.5 hours with a Japanese local guide in Shinjuku, moving from Omoide Yokocho through Kabukicho to several Golden Gai bars. You’ll learn izakaya manners, try sake or beer, and order Japanese snacks in small local venues. Guides have included Kuni and Yoko, but drinks, food, and your guide’s costs are not included.

“Golden Gai and the bars themselves were very cool and fun to see, but our guide Yoko was very quiet and disinterested. While it was very convenient to have someone with us who could translate, he made it feel more awkward to have him thRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Shinjuku: Private Bar Hopping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $35

Join Yohei for a private 4 to 5 hour evening in Shinjuku. You’ll see sunset views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, learn useful Japanese, visit izakayas and local bars, stop at Hanazono Shrine and Golden Gai, then finish with optional karaoke. Food and drinks cost extra.

“Yohei was such an amazing tour guide! He took us to very fun and niche restaurants and bars, and he catered to all of our various interests. He was extremely friendly, warm, and inviting. He even studied the specific history of the neighborhRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Karaoke Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews · from $32

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide at Shinjuku Station’s East Exit and spend the evening around Kabukicho and Golden Gai. You’ll visit small local bars, try Japanese drinks and food at your own cost, then sing karaoke with the group. Guides such as Shun, Chihiro, Kann, Ayaka, Meiko, and Naoto have led this experience.

“Our guide, Shun, was fabulous! He was informative, courteous, funny, helpful.. I believe he went above and beyond to keep us entertained! I highly recommend him to others. He spoke pretty good English which was a delight here in Tokyo! The language barrier is real here in Tokyo, unless you have a translator app on your phone at all times, sonic was nice to just converse with him. He's a true lover of karaoke and sa g right along with my granddaughters. so much fun was had by all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Shinjuku: bar hopping night tour at Japanese Izakaya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 3h 30m · from $96

Join Shingo for a 210-minute walk through Shinjuku’s nightlife, from nostalgic Memory Lane and yakitori stalls to Kabukicho and Golden Gai. You’ll visit more than two Japanese pubs, try sake, beer, cocktails, whiskey and local food, and may finish with karaoke. The group is limited to seven, while food and drinks are paid separately.

“Had an excellent time with Shingo. Our group got try various foods and drinks in a number of different bars/izakaya's and finished the night off with some karaoke. Overall a great night. Thanks again Shingo!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Tokyo: Shinjuku Golden Gai Bar Hopping Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $61

Spend three hours walking through Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, and Golden Gai with a local English-speaking guide. You will visit two unusual bars, sample Japanese whisky, beer, cocktails, or wine, and get tips for izakayas and ramen shops. Small groups are limited to eight, and guides may include Annie, Kazu, or Tomoko.

“It was so lovely. Was just my wife and me and Annie. She was so sweet and really took care of us. I really appreciated how attentive she was. She gave us some great background while we walked around but also tailored the tour to our needs and interests. I so enjoyed getting to know her and 10/10 would do a tour with her again :)”

Check availability →Read our full review