Kyoto Nighttime All-Inclusive Eats and Streets, Gion and Beyond
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
You and no more than five others will explore the local foods and entertainment districts of Kyoto on a not-so-standard, all-inclusive walking and eating nighttime tour! You'll mingle with locals, eat regional specialties at two different standing bar restaurants (though we often sit down at one or both), and be given a visual feast of a primer on the various nightlife scenes in Kyoto, from geiko (a.k.a. "geisha") on down. With a native or equivalent English speaking guide at your side, you'll get a clear understanding of what the area is all about. And with some great food and a couple of (included) drinks in you, the merriment will be all the more!
Our tours are very small group (6 or less), which means much more attention and quality for you. Local insight, great food, and good times await.
For those interested in trying some Kobe beef, be sure to choose the option which includes 100g (about 3.5 oz.) of prime Kobe area beef. It's reasonably priced, too!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The minimum drinking age in Japan is 20 years old.
All participants must be 13+ to participate in this experience
Vegetarians happily accommodated.
Gratuities are uncommon in Japan, however if you really enjoyed your time and want to show your guide how much you appreciate them, they’ll be extremely happy!
Tours limited to 6, but groups up to 8 are welcome in cases where the entire group is the same reservation.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Alcoholic Beverages
Dinner
Two Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic Beverages (one in each restaurant)
Drinks beyond the two included. Additional drinks can be purchased directly from the restaurants if you wish.
What To Expect
6:30pm You've done the daytime temples, gardens, and academic thing, had a bit of rest, and are now ready to set about seeing what the night has to offer. We'll meet at Gion Shijo Station, then start with an educational walk through the justifiably famous Gion district, which is located on the east side of the Kamogawa River. Learn about the geiko (and why we don't call them "geisha" in Kyoto), as well as the places that make this district so special. You'll also regaled with insight and info about how the art of evening entertainment has evolved into the hostess clubs of today. (Rest assured this tour is suitable for teenagers and higher.) 7:30pm Your hour-long anthropological adventure has left you ready for some food and drink, and we know just the place. You'll get to try a few different regionally representative dishes and a beer -- or perhaps you'd like a shochu or some sake instead? Various dietary restrictions, tastes, and bravery levels will be happily accommodated. 8:15pm Take a stroll through both youthful and classic restaurant and entertainment districts on the west side of the Kamogawa River, including Pontocho, Kiyamachi, and the Kawaramachi St. area. The old narrow streets along Pontocho will allow you to see how much the people of Kyoto value and protect tradition, while the younger areas a couple streets away will show you how eager Kyoto people are to also firmly live in the present. 9pm No night is complete with just one restaurant stop, so we'll visit another thoroughly vetted and often enjoyed spot. There will be more tasty vittles for your culinary consideration, and of course another drink in accompaniment. 9:30pm The end of the evening has come, but hopefully you've been able to garner a lasting understanding and appreciation of Kyoto's various foods, nightlife, and vibe.
Options
+100g of prime Kobe area beef
Beefy upgrade: You get all the food and drink of the standard tour, plus 100g (about 3.5 oz.) of prime Kobe area beef!
Spanish Tour w/ Kobe area beef
Add succulent kobe area beef
Spanish Private Tour
Spanish Private Tour
French Tour w/ Kobe area beef
Add succulent kobe area beef
Standard tour (English)
Dinner and drinks: Food and one drink at each of our two restaurant stops, a dinner's worth in total.
French Private Tour
French Private Tour
Reviews
449 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This tour blew me away
Teresa N,
Aug 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour went nothing like how I thought. Hugo was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and made us all laugh. Another couple was also on the tour and were so friendly, we hit it off. We started with a walking tour and Hugo showed us all the nearby popular areas (this was a godsend since we don't read/speak much Japanese and it removed the stress of finding everything) and then went on to try some delicious izakaya food. We opted for the wagyu beef option and learned that the staff went to extraordinary lengths to source it since we RSVPd on the day of. Highly recommend. Arigatou gozaimas!
Lovely tour with a very...
Melanie S,
Aug 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Lovely tour with a very thorough tour guide. We appreciated her attention to detail . We had a great time.
Great first night experience in Kyoto!
Teresa S,
Aug 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great first night experience in Kyoto! Laura was our guide and was great! She explained about geikos (geisha) and maikos and we were lucky enough to see a geiko walking through the neighborhood. We had a great time visiting a shrine and Laura explained the differences between a shrine (Shintoism) and a temple (Buddism). After visiting the geiko area and a shrine the food tour part began starting with a stand up bar/restaurant serving multiple small course and sake. The second restaurant was the main course with multiple types of dishes and sake.
Gion you'd likely never find on your own.
KirwanCarla M,
Jun 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Bryan H. was excellent! My adult daughter and I had the great fortune of being the only people on this tour. Bryan gave us background on geisha, maiko, Kabuki, and the Gion district. We also visited some Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The two eateries at which we dined were definitely ones we never would have found on our own and the experience was splendid! Bryan is a personable host and he clearly loves Kyoto and the Gion area.
Fun and informative
Sebastian F,
Jun 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Really fun night tour with a great guide - thank you! I loved hearing all the insights into Japanese culture from an expat’s experience.
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