Where to Go Izakaya Hopping: the 15 Best Japanese Bar Crawls

Best of Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour (4 Stops, 14+ Tastings) - Starting in Nishishinjuku with a full first round

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,863 reviews · from $92Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours eating and drinking through Shinjuku with a bilingual local guide. Visit four izakayas around Nishishinjuku, Kabukicho, Golden Gai, and Omoide Yokocho, with 14+ tastings, three drinks, and plenty of practical food tips.

“Absolutely enjoyed it. Taiga brought us truly interesting local places. He was very informative. Really had a great time! We also appreciated that he made special arrangements for our two vegetarian friends. Would love to do this again when we go back”

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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

2.Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,794 reviews · 3 hours · from $34

Spend three hours walking Shinjuku with a local English-speaking guide such as Nao, Naoya, Toshi, or Kei. Visit Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai, pay no venue entry fees, buy your own drinks and food, and finish with karaoke.

“Kei is a great guide! She’s meticulous and makes sure everyone is included and gives great recommendations. Even with a large group (about 15 people) she is able to make sure no one is left out! In general this tour is great for anyone looking to get acquainted with Tokyo drinking culture”

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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl Tour

3.Shinjuku Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 890 reviews · from $39

Meet near Shinjuku Station and follow an English-speaking guide through Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai. You choose your food and drinks, while the guide handles ordering and local customs. Depending on the evening, the route may include sake tasting and karaoke.

“Fun and relaxed tour. Riki, our guide was very pleasant to talk to. He made the event seem like we were out hanging with friends. I met some really cool people.”

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Kyoto: Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

4.Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 815 reviews · 3 hours · from $25

Spend three hours with a local English-speaking guide such as Moto, Taiga, Mia, or Lyou, walking from Kawaramachi into Kiyamachi for izakaya food, sake, beer, cocktails, and small bars. The $25 fee covers guiding, while you pay for food and drinks in cash.

“Great tour. Moto was friendly and welcoming and an excellent host.”

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Osaka: Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

5.Izakaya Bars Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 385 reviews · 3 hours · from $19Best value

Spend three hours walking from Dotonbori to Namba with an English-speaking guide such as Taiga, Seina, Kosuke, or Naoko. Visit local izakayas and bars, taste sake and Japanese drinks, try foods such as takoyaki, and finish with karaoke or a tucked-away bar.

“Highly recommended Amazing new experience And special thanks to our tour guide, Mr. Mikey, who made this tour amazing”

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Shibuya: Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl

6.Shibuya: Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 354 reviews · 3 hours · from $29

Meet your English-speaking guide at Mizuho Bank in Shibuya, then walk to three local bars and izakayas. Expect Japanese food, sake, conversation, and often karaoke. Guides such as Tomomi, Kento, Asato, Yushi, and Shogo tailor the evening to dietary needs and drink preferences.

“booked this tour super last minute due to a change in plans. So glad I did! Shogo was an amazing guide and spoke perfect English. We started off with food and drink in one izakaya and then moved onto a sake bar before ending at karaoke. Our group gelled so well and we had so much fun together that a few of us even went to a club together after! Hghly highly recommend this tour - ask for Shogo you won't regret it”

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Hiroshima Izakaya Food and Drink Night Tour

7.Hiroshima Izakaya Food and Drink Night Tour

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

Start at 7 p.m. near Fukuya Hacchobori Main, eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in Okonomimura, then visit two Nagarekawacho izakayas with a local guide. Guides such as Kaku, Yoko, Yuji, Hika, and Bikky bring local food tips and city stories to this three-hour, adults-only evening.

“So much fun, our guide was so sweet and she directed us threw all the local yummy foods we tried, would total do this again”

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Kyoto: Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

8.Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 3 hours · from $67

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in Kyoto learning home-style izakaya dishes with English-speaking instructors such as Yumi and Yumiko. You cook in two rounds, eat what you make, and take home recipes. The menu may include savory dishes and dessert, with simple techniques suited to beginners.

“Great introduction to izakaya style cooking. You receive a well documented recipe set which allows you to make the dishes at home easily. I can strongly recommend this activity.”

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Tokyo: The Best of Izakaya in Shinjuku Food & Cultural Tour

9.The Best of Izakaya in Shinjuku Food & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 221 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

Spend an evening with an English-speaking guide such as Joe, Max, Chizuru, or Nobu, walking through Shinjuku before eating 14 or more Japanese dishes at local izakayas. You’ll visit Golden Gai, Kabukicho, and Omoide Yokocho, with two alcoholic drinks included.

“Tour was wonderful. Chizuru was excellent, she shared information on the izakaya and types of food as well as culture. Friendly and knowledgeable.”

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Izakaya Style Cooking Class

10.Izakaya Style Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $71

At Cooking Sun Kyoto, an English-speaking chef guides you through dashi, sauces, seasonal dishes, and several izakaya favorites in a traditional wood house. The three-hour class begins at 2pm, includes dinner and recipes, and suits families, beginners, and keen home cooks.

“Keiko and her team were organized, welcoming, explaining clearly in a way that was relaxed and fun. I learned so much and the food was all delicious! I truly enjoyed every moment. The space was comfortable and the equipment was clean and easy to use. They thought of EVERYTHING! We made a variety of items and I believe I can replicate them at home. It was hands on and fun.”

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Tokyo: Shibuya Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl Tour

11.Shibuya Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $39

Start at 8 p.m. near Shibuya Crossing and walk with an English-speaking guide through Miyashita Park and Center-gai. Expect local izakaya, possible sake tasting, karaoke, and plenty of chances to meet people. Guides such as Kota, Ken, Riku, and Sora have earned especially warm praise.

“What a great time! Highly recommend. Our guide Sora did well guiding us to different bars. Would definitely recommend”

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Shinjuku Izakaya and Golden Gai Bar Hopping Tour

12.Shinjuku Izakaya and Golden Gai Bar Hopping Tour

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

Spend about two hours eating and drinking through Shinjuku with a local guide such as Hiro, Ryota, Tak, or Sean. Try yakitori, sake, whisky, fish, and vegetables, visit Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho, and finish near Golden Gai. Three alcoholic drinks, 6 to 8 food items, and all-you-can-drink service at one bar are included.

“We didn't get what we paid for which was very disappointing. We were promised three different venues over three hours with a drink in each venue and 6-8 foods. What we got was a leader who turned up 10 minutes late (causing stress), two Read more”

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Tokyo The Izakaya tour

13.Tokyo The Izakaya tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $198

Meet at Shake Shack Ebisu at 5 pm for a three-hour food walk through three local izakayas. Guide Fuyu helps you order, explains Japanese pub customs, and serves drinks, shared dishes, yakitori, seafood, and dessert. The group is limited to eight, but vegetarian and serious allergy needs may be difficult.

“The food was amazing and each stop had an interesting and different vibe. Fuyu was a wonderful and gracious guide. Highly recommend!”

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Osaka Authentic Local Izakaya Hopping Experience: Food & Drinks

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · from $39

Join Tetsu for a three-hour, ultra-small-group night through Namba’s Hozen-ji, Dotonbori, and Ura-Namba. You’ll visit three or four tiny izakayas, bars, or food stalls, order local dishes and drinks at your own cost, and get help with menus, customs, and conversation. Solo bookings are welcome.

“Went with my brother, and had a real blast. It was just the two of us and our guide Tetsu, and he took us to a bunch of back alley bars. Some cozy, some odd, all great food and drinks. Had fugu for the first time and got sake with oden (an incredible winter warmer). If I ever come back to Osaka I will go on this tour again.”

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

15.Shinjuku Izakaya and Golden Gai Bar Hopping Tour (2h)

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

Join a small English-speaking group for two hours of Shinjuku bar hopping. Try three alcoholic drinks and six to eight foods while your guide leads you through Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, a local restaurant, and Golden Gai. Guides may include Hiro, Ryota, Shuji, Ash, or Sean.