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 Private Tour
Spanish Private Tour
French Private Tour
French Private Tour
Standard tour (English)
Dinner and drinks: Food and one drink at each of our two restaurant stops, a dinner's worth in total.
French Tour w/ Kobe area beef
Add succulent kobe area beef
Spanish Tour w/ Kobe area beef
Add succulent kobe area beef
Reviews
461 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Good Experience
Sadie L,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Lin was amazing! The spots he took us to were fantastic and off the beaten path. He was so sweet and the food was delicious.
Disappointing.
MARIA S,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00We had a small group of six people. The guide was extremely friendly, but the overall restaurant tour was very poor — so much so that one person in our group actually left before it was over. The guide seemed unprepared, and most of the tour consisted of simply walking through town with very little narration or insight into Japanese food or its history. We only visited two food spots. The first was an extremely small, smoky local bar with seating for about ten people. There weren’t enough chairs for everyone, and the smoke was so heavy that one participant left. The food there consisted of three small tasting items — definitely not a meal. The second location was on the second floor of another venue with a small round table where the entire group had to stand. We were given four items to sample, and that was the end of the “restaurant tour.” The final stop wasn’t even in a restaurant but felt more like a library setting, with us being the only table. Overall, the experience was low-quality and disappointing. While the guide was kind, the tour lacked organization, atmosphere, and meaningful content. Not recommended.
Great experience !
Adesh S,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Well paced, the 3 hours flew by. Joshua knew the area very well and his descriptions kept us attentive. The dining was excellent. I wish they would start the tour a bit earlier so we can see the area just before it gets dark and in the dark as well.
Our guide was wonderful....
Brigitte G,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Our guide was wonderful. The 3 hours went by very quickly. It was a mix of meandering through the old part of the city with a visit to a Shinto shrine and night life. The 2 local places we stopped at for food were good and lively! On and all a very nice experience.
There was a lot of...
Harriette S,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00There was a lot of walking! Guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic! Food was very good! Worth it!!
Food and a stroll in Gion
Paula C,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fun experience walking the streets of Gion, learning the history and eating tasty treats at local bars. The city is beautiful at night. Thank you!
Informative guide and...
nicola m,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative guide and great restaurant choices. Brian made the evening very enjoyable. Our dietary requirements were all taken care of.
Laura was an incredible...
Bradley D,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Laura was an incredible tour guide! Her knowledge of the area and culture was impressive and her bubbly personality really made the tour so enjoyable!!! 11/10 experience
Highly Recommend!
Gary A,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, Rin did an excellent job of combining sightseeing, storytelling, and showing us authentic local cuisine.
Great tour guide. Great food. Gion was meh.
Steven B,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Gion was underwhelming. Perhaps it's better during the day. Night time didn't allow for any good photos. Meeting spot was hard as there were 5 other tours meeting at the same spot, and there wasn't a way to know who was who. Tour guide was very good. Kudos to her. Food was great, but at second restaurant we were seated at a bar which made it hard for group to talk. But food was great.
From $119.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Pinpoint Traveler, Inc