Bars & pub crawls · KYOTO BAR TOURS
The good kyoto bar tours sell out before the weekend does. Below: the 11 to book early, what each one includes and how they differ at the door.
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.”
Spend three hours with a MagicalTrip guide such as Yumi, Nami, Noriko, or Josh, walking Pontocho and Kiyamachi while visiting three local izakayas and bars. Your package includes three to four drinks, three to four dinner dishes, guide photos, and a chance to try Kyoto sake, karaoke, yakitori, sashimi, and more.
“Our tour with Peco was amazing!!... we have done many tours but this one was so very memorable. Definitely would recommend!!”
Spend three hours with a local guide around Shijo Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi, stopping at an izakaya, sake spot, and small bar. Expect yakitori, karaage, Japanese drinks, local stories, and a social group of up to 15 people. Food and alcohol cost extra.
“Very much enjoyed the tour, we had a large group but Tiga did great job taking us around and sharing information on the local food and drinks.”
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.”
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.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Gion Shijo Station, then spend about three and a half hours visiting three Kyoto bars around Pontocho and Kiyamachi. You’ll receive 3 to 4 drinks, 3 to 4 dinner dishes, local tips, and photos in a small group of up to six people.
“The tour was great and Miku, our guide was lovely. She took us to unique spots and had everything reserved/pre-arranged. It was a good way to get to learn the area on our first night in Kyoto and it included a lot of drinks and food, definitely worth the money.”
Spend a late night at KITSUNE Kyoto, a two-floor club with SEA and LAND themes, DJ performances, sound and lighting systems, and a drink-inclusive foreign visitor ticket. Bring your original passport, arrive between 10 PM and 5 AM, and check the date carefully after midnight.
Follow a local English- or Japanese-speaking guide through Kyoto’s nightlife district, choosing food and drink stops that match your interests. Guides such as Mark, Maki, and Shiyo have led guests to tempura, yakitori, tofu, regional specialties, and local cocktail bars. Food, drinks, and the guide’s costs are extra.
“Very civilised, relaxed trip through food district of Kyoto with the lovely Maki who took us to 3 very different and interesting restaurants ranging from tempura to yakitori to tofu/raddish - Maki even threw in a quick calligraphy lesson ahead of our next plsnned activity! Very good”
Spend three flexible hours with a private local host such as Masaya, sampling Kyoto’s izakaya culture, sake, small plates, and tachinomiya standing bars. Your route may lead through Gion, station bars, or traditional yokocho alleys, based on your interests.
“Gepersonaliseerde trip gemaakt met Masaya. Verschillende restaurants en bars bezocht en een wandeling door de stad gemaakt. Masaya heeft veel nuttige tips gegeven voor allerlei activiteiten en bezienswaardigheden in Kyoto. Was een leuke trip en zeker de moeite waard.”
Spend three private hours with Hiro of Hero Tour Japan, visiting Kyoto izakayas around Gion, Pontocho, Kiyamachi, and Yasaka. He orders food and drinks, explains local customs in fluent English, and helps you enjoy yakitori, gyoza, beer, sake, and Kyoto nightlife without language stress.
“We highly recommend the tour! Hiro is a wonderful guide, who explained us so many details we would never have explored. We saw many beautiful places and enjoyed the lovely athmosphere at night. We had many questions about Japanes everyday life and Hiro answered them all. He speaks english fluently and good german as well (and may be other languages as well) and is a very interessting host. Plus: he took a lot of great pictures and send it to us next morning! We had a fun night!”
Spend 3 to 4 hours with an English- or Japanese-speaking guide, visiting 3 or 4 Osaka bars and izakayas. You choose food and drinks to suit your taste, while paying about ¥4,000 to ¥6,000 per person for yourself and the guide, in addition to the tour price.
Pick a kind of bar, or a kind of crawl.
