Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
A modern-day Samurai, Sho, who has spent many years drinking his way through Kichijoji,
skillfully wields drinks instead of a sword and guides you on an evening training journey.
An intense story born of a small group of up to five.
The story begins in the nostalgic atmosphere of Harmonica Yokocho.
Blending into the atmosphere of the yokocho and loosening your spirit with a toast, we then move on to the Craft Beer Dojo.
There, you enjoy a diverse selection of Japanese craft beers.
The final stop is artisan sushi.
A quiet moment to complete the night’s story.
Drinks are not served as a fixed set.
At all training grounds, dishes carefully selected by the Samurai are served.
In that moment, you choose the single glass you want to drink most—
this is the practice of pairing.
Which drink will you pair with which dish?
That very hesitation is the joy of the training.
And if you find yourself unsure—
your Samurai Guide will quietly offer a secret word of guidance.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is not a party tour. This experience is designed for travelers who enjoy quiet conversations, good drinks, and the natural flow of a local night.
This tour may NOT be suitable if you are looking for: • An all-you-can-drink party • A fast-paced bar crawl with many stops • Detailed sightseeing explanations • A highly structured “perfect service” experience • The cheapest way to drink in Tokyo
This experience is for travelers who: • Prefer small groups and meaningful conversations • Enjoy pairing drinks with food, rather than drinking for quantity • Want to experience a local night, not a tourist event • Appreciate spontaneity, silence, and atmosphere • See their guide as a drinking companion, not a tour conductor
The price of this experience reflects what it is not. This is not a mass tour. It does not rely on discounts, drink quotas, or standardized service. Each night is carefully shaped for a very small group, with handpicked venues, reserved seating, and a natural flow that cannot be scaled or repeated. You are not paying for quantity. You are paying for intimacy, trust, and a night that feels personal rather than produced.
This experience is intentionally limited in size and frequency to preserve its quality.
In one sentence: Not a bar crawl, but a local night with Samurai Guide Sho.
Q: I don’t know much about alcohol. Can I still enjoy the tour without expert knowledge? A: Absolutely. This “training” is not a competition of knowledge, but a practice in sharpening your intuition. The focus is on what you feel and what you wish to drink in response to the dishes I select. If you feel unsure, I will quietly offer a small “secret word of guidance.” Please relax and enjoy the moment.
Q: Does “Modern Samurai” mean you walk around in a costume? A: No, this is not a loud performance or a costume show. I wear an indigo haori jacket as a sign of respect for traditional Japanese values and the Samurai spirit. Instead of a sword, I carry the philosophy of Ichi-go Ichi-e (once-in-a-lifetime encounters). My style is to walk through the Tokyo night quietly, blending into the modern city.
Q: Will communication be smooth? Do you use translation tools? A: Yes, communication is smooth. I use translation tools. The latest technology is my “modern weapon.” By combining simple English with translation tools, I share only what is needed in the moment. I am not a guide who explains everything in detail. By using fewer words, communication often becomes more genuine. Silence is also part of the training.
Q: Is there enough food? A: Yes, we serve satisfying dishes at each “training ground” (bar). Please come hungry. We focus on quality and harmony between the food and the drink. By the final sushi course, both your heart and stomach should feel full.
Q: How is this different from other “Bar Hopping” tours? A: The key differences are stillness, intimacy, and a natural pairing between food and drink. We do not take shots, shout, or rush between bars. We take our time, sit down comfortably, and feel what kind of drink suits the dish in front of us, while enjoying the local atmosphere. I join you not just as a guide, but as your drinking companion for the night, sharing that flow together.
Q: I am joining alone (or with one other person). Will I be with other guests? A: Yes. This is a small-group experience for up to five people, so you may be joined by other travelers. Sharing a table and a drink with people from different backgrounds is part of the experience. By the end of the night, you will likely feel a quiet bond from sharing the same Tokyo night.
Eligibility & Preparation – Participants must be at least 20 years old (the legal drinking age in Japan). This experience includes walking; please wear comfortable shoes suitable for your training.
Flexibility of the Night – The night in Kichijoji is a living thing. Routes and venues may change depending on crowd conditions and the spirit of each place. Your Samurai Guide will responsibly choose the spot with the best energy for that specific night and moment.
Dining & Dietary Requirements – We serve substantial food at every training ground (bar). Menus change daily based on the chef and seasonal ingredients, offering a once-in-a-lifetime taste each night. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance; we will do our best to accommodate where possible. The dishes typically include animal products, seafood-based broth, and alcohol-based seasonings, so vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal diets cannot be accommodated. This decision is made to preserve the authenticity of the local dining experience.
Safety & Mutual Respect – The organizer is not responsible for illness, injury, or loss or damage of personal belongings during the experience; please take responsibility for your own safety and well-being. To maintain harmony within the group, respectful behavior is required, and if disruptive behavior continues, the Samurai Guide may end the experience immediately without a refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Meet the Samurai and Begin Your Training — Samurai Training Night in Kichijoji Meeting Point: In front of Baskin-Robbins, JR Kichijoji Station North Exit. A man dressed in an indigo haori appears — a modern-day samurai-style guide named Sho. What begins under his guidance is more than just a bar-hopping tour. It’s a local Tokyo experience story, guided by Samurai Guide Sho.
Hamonika Yokocho Kichijoji
The First Training: Become One with the Soul of the Yokocho The training begins with a kanpai at a hidden yakitori bar inside Harmonica Yokocho. Here, you will find carefully selected sake, fine Japanese whisky, craft beer, and carefully grilled yakitori, along with slowly simmered motsu stew. It is a place where the memories of the alley live on through drinks and food. Our seats are reserved in advance at one of the best spots in the alley, where you can fully enjoy the atmosphere and flow of people. All five warriors sit together, taking in the voices, steam, and laughter from the front row. First, we let the spirit of the yokocho sink into our bodies. When everyone is ready, we move together to the next stage of training.
2nd Stop = Craft Beer Bar (1–4 Carefully Selected Dishes)
1st Stop = Harmonica Yokocho Bar (4–5 Carefully Selected Local Dishes)
3rd Stop = Sushi Bar (Seasonal Recommended Sushi Assortment)
Drink & Dish Pairing Support Guidance in choosing drinks that match each dish
Reserved seats in Harmonica Yokocho (first stop) Seats to enjoy the atmosphere of the yokocho
Drinks are ordered freely and paid individually. About ¥1,000 per drink. Credit cards accepted.
Optional food orders (small portions, order freely, pay individually, skip if you like, cards ok)
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
aberu m,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
A bar in Harmonica Yokocho had reserved seating in a great spot, allowing us to fully enjoy the lively alley atmosphere. The samurai-style outfit of Samurai Guide Sho matched the retro setting perfectly. The Western-style dishes made with Japanese ingredients were delicious. There was a wide selection of Japanese whisky, so it never felt repetitive. It was a great way to experience the nightlife of Kichijoji.










Hiroki T,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
One stop featured many taps, offering a wide variety of Japanese craft beers. Samurai Guide Sho was friendly with the staff, which made the experience feel relaxed and welcoming. Japanese craft gin, sake, and other drinks were also available, and the gin and tonic was especially good. At a sushi restaurant, seasonal assorted sushi was hand-pressed by the chef and tasted excellent. With generous portions throughout the tour, it was very filling and satisfying.







ITARU N,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
Kichijoji is such a cool neighborhood, and this tour showed me sides of it I would never see on my own. We visited hidden alleys, small bars, and lively food spots — the kind of local experience you’ll never get from typical tourist tours. Sho (the Samurai guide) made everything easy and fun. He knows the owners, the menus, and the history behind each place. It felt more like hanging out with a local friend rather than joining a tour. I joined alone, but I felt completely comfortable the whole night. The drinks, the food, the atmosphere, and the people were all amazing. If you want a truly local Tokyo night, this is the one. Highly recommended!










YUICHI O,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
We absolutely loved this tour. Sho took us to a local craft beer bar that we would never have discovered by ourselves, and the fresh draft beer there was incredible. The atmosphere felt so local and authentic, and we enjoyed learning about the neighborhood while walking between spots. It didn’t feel touristy at all — just a genuine experience with great drinks and great company.



KEN K,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
I joined Sho’s Kichijoji bar tour and I had a really good time. Sho is very kind and easy to talk to. He explained Japanese culture in simple English, so I could understand well. We visited small local bars and the atmosphere was very nice. The food and drinks were delicious too. I want to join his tour again next time I come to Tokyo!









Chikara E,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
This Kichijoji Bar Hopping Tour was one of the best experiences of my Tokyo trip! Our guide Sho, the Modern Samurai,took us to three hidden local bars in the alleys of Harmonica Yokocho. The food and drinks were amazing, but what I loved most was connecting with locals and learning about Japanese salaryman culture. Drinking Sho’s favorite craft beer with local people was truly memorable. Highly recommend if you want to experience the real Tokyo night beyond Shibuya and Shinjuku!





Operated by Discover Western Tokyo