Bar & Izakaya Night Tour (Pay-As-You-Go Food & Local Specialties)

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience Kyoto after dark — where locals eat, drink, and unwind.

Join our small-group walking tour through Kiyamachi and Pontocho, two of Kyoto’s most atmospheric nightlife districts.

Led by friendly Japanese local guides, this relaxed evening offers a glimpse into the city’s everyday life.

What to Expect:

- Visit three local bars or izakayas, each with its own story and flavor

- Taste Kyoto’s signature dishes and locally brewed sake

- Learn about Kyoto’s modern culture from your local student guide

- Small groups (up to 6 guests; larger groups available on request)

We’ll spend about an hour at each stop, sampling a range of Japanese flavors loved by Kyoto locals.

Because the group is small, we can adjust to your preferences — whether you like sake, beer, or lighter food.

If you have any requests or dietary preferences, feel free to message us in advance.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Alcohol will not be served to participants under 20

Inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Visits to approximately three izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) or bars

3 hour tour with a local guide

Food expenses (approximately 5,000 yen per person for a total of three places.)

Beverage expenses (approximately 3,000 yen per person for a total of three places.)

Participants are responsible for the guide's drink charge (one drink per venue).

What To Expect

Kiyamachi　Street

Kiyamachi Street is a popular dining and drinking district in Kyoto, known for its charming and atmospheric izakayas (Japanese-style pubs). These cozy establishments offer a wide range of delicious Japanese cuisine, including favorites like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and a selection of premium sake. During our tour, we'll visit one or two izakayas in Kiyamachi that best suit your preferences. Whether you're in the mood for a lively and energetic atmosphere or a more intimate and relaxed setting, our knowledgeable guide will choose the perfect spots for you. You'll have the opportunity to spend about an hour at each izakaya, savoring a variety of tasty dishes and drinks. Immerse yourself in the local flavors and enjoy the warm hospitality of the friendly staff. This is a fantastic chance to experience an authentic slice of Kyoto's vibrant food and drink culture in one of the city's most beloved nightlife districts.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Pontocho

Pontocho is a narrow, atmospheric alley running parallel to the Kamo River, famous for its concentration of traditional Japanese restaurants. This charming area is the perfect place to experience some of Japan's most iconic dishes, such as sushi and sukiyaki (a hot pot dish with thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and tofu). Our guide will carefully select restaurants in Pontocho based on your preferences, ensuring that you enjoy a dining experience tailored to your tastes. Whether you're a fan of fresh, delicate sushi or the rich, savory flavors of sukiyaki, you'll find the perfect meal in this picturesque alley. Together with the izakayas visited in Kiyamachi, we'll explore a total of three establishments during the tour. To conclude this memorable evening, we'll visit a restaurant renowned for its delectable desserts, providing a sweet finish to your culinary adventure through Kyoto's most enchanting dining districts.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Group Tour

Split the bill: We usually share the food, so we split the bill. You should have cash.

Reviews

4.93

15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Fun night out in Kyoto
Shuja A,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A fun and laidback night out with a younger crowd. I really love how we went to places unique to our tastes and preferences. We had delicious food at two restaurants and then ended with a simple and tasty dessert. I loved the vibe of this tour! I would highly recommend it.
Amazing Tour with Mune!
O1521EKalbertog,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an incredible experience on this tour! My guide, Mune, was awesome — super friendly, personable, and very informative. He made the whole day feel fun and relaxed while sharing great insights about the area. The food was delicious, and the overall atmosphere was so refreshing. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Japan! It was such a wonderful experience that I already can’t wait to come back and visit Japan again.
Foodie fun in Kyoto!
Brenda C,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
We had a wonderful time with another couple, and our knowledgeable guide, Niki, took us to two fantastic restaurants and a Sake bar.
Highly recommend
Sarah L,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Riku was an amazing tour guide. He showed us places that we wouldn’t have found ourselves. We did this tour our first night in Kyoto and felt like we got a crash course on the local atmosphere.
Come hungry and enjoy Kyoto
skdhal,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Brilliant time with Mune, our guide. He showed us around to his favorite Izakayas (3) and ended with a dessert. We would not have discovered them ourselves . He was informative and funny too. We highly recommend Mune!!!
Great Experience!!!!
Mitchell C,
Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing experience - highly recommend! We went to places we would not have known of otherwise and our guide was exceptional. What drew us to this booking was the fun-looking photos and younger guide, and our decision paid off! This isn’t a “formal” tour and you should expect great company from a younger host who is extremely familiar with the area, and he was very easy to spend the time with! My wife and I really enjoyed this.
Fantastic Izakaya tour
lizstelz2019,
Jun 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mune was a great Izakaya guide. He was informative, personable and fun. He suggested the perfect food and sake for our evening. He took us to places that we would not have known about just by reading guides. We definitely got our money's worth and would highly recommend.
Best way to discover local life, amazing food and have a fun night out!
Birgit B,
May 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The places our guide took us to where amazing. Tucked away in small side lanes I would never have found such authentic place myself. The dishes and drinks were were delicious surprises, our guide Emis was super nice, everybody in that group was super fun and made this event in Kyoto an unforgettable memory.
This was a lot of fun. We...
Lou H,
Dec 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a lot of fun. We probably could have done our own pub crawl, but going with Shumpei made it easy and there was always room for us (not always easy with 6 people). We went to three places and the first one was the best food and sake. All three were good, but the 2nd and 3rd had more limited selections.
A Fantastic Introduction to the Kyoto Food Scene
Cody M,
Jul 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Shumpei was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic about Kyoto's food scene. I strongly recommend one of his tours to help familiarize yourself with what Kyoto has to offer!