Izakaya Food Tour in Nagano: Local Bars & Hidden Spots

Three hidden izakayas, noodles, and a backstreet bar in one evening

An izakaya food tour in Nagano led by a local English-speaking guide who takes small groups to the backstreet bars and Japanese pubs where residents eat and drink. You'll visit 2–3 food stops, eat more than 5 dishes including yakitori, gyoza and noodles, and finish at a hidden bar. 2 drinks are included. The tour runs 3 hours and starts at Nagano station.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Izakaya and bar tour in Nagano

• Meet in front of Starbucks at Nagano station
• Visit 1st Izakaya for dishes and a drink
• Visit 2nd Izakaya for more dishes and a drink
• Eat noodles at 3rd food stop
• Go to bar to chill out and drink

The experience

Finding where locals actually eat in Nagano is nearly impossible without a guide. Unlike Tokyo or Kyoto, the best izakayas and backstreet bars don't advertise to tourists, and they're scattered across neighborhoods most visitors never reach. This tour cuts through that: your guide meets you at Nagano station and takes you directly to the places residents know, skipping the guidebook spots entirely. You'll move through the city on foot, stopping at 2–3 izakayas in sequence, each one a different kind of place: a jazz bar, a whiskey bar, the kind of spot where the owner knows the regulars by name.

The eating happens across the stops, not all at once. At the first izakaya you'll have dishes and your first drink; at the second, more dishes and your second drink; at the third stop you'll eat noodles (soba or ramen, depending on what's on offer that night) to finish the savory part of the evening. More than 5 dishes come across all three stops, so you're eating a real meal, not sampling. After the food stops, your guide takes you to a hidden bar where you can sit, drink, and wind down the night the way locals do. The whole thing takes 3 hours, which is long enough to feel unhurried but short enough to fit into an evening without derailing the rest of your trip.

Your guide is a local who speaks English fluently and knows the owners and staff at these places. That matters: they can explain what you're eating, why a dish is worth trying, what to order if something runs out, and how to actually talk to the bartender. They also handle the introductions, so you're not walking in cold. If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or anything else), let the operator know when you book so they can advise on what's possible and what isn't. The tour requires at least 2 guests to run. Solo travelers should contact the company before booking to check availability.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide who knows the owners and handles introductions.
• entry to 2–3 hidden izakayas and a backstreet bar.
• more than 5 dishes including yakitori, gyoza, and noodles.
• 2 drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by o8Experience

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here because the guide can move you through the bars without overwhelming the staff or the other customers, and you'll feel like you're part of the evening rather than a tour group passing through. If you want to eat where locals actually go instead of the places in every guidebook, this is the way to do it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many stops do we actually visit on this tour?

You visit 2–3 izakayas for food and drinks, then finish at a hidden bar. The exact number of food stops can vary depending on the evening and the pace, but you'll eat more than 5 dishes total across them.

What kind of food will I eat?

Yakitori, gyoza, noodles like soba or ramen, and other izakaya dishes that vary by stop. More than 5 dishes come across the tour, and your guide can advise on options if you have dietary needs before you book.

Are drinks included, or do I pay extra?

Two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) are included in the tour price. You can buy extra drinks and food at any stop if you want them.

What does "hidden bar" mean? Will I be able to find these places on my own?

These are real bars and izakayas that locals use but don't market to tourists, so they're not on most maps or in guidebooks. Your guide knows the owners and will introduce you, so you'll have access and context you wouldn't get walking in alone.

How long is the tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 3 hours and starts at Nagano station in front of Starbucks. You'll meet your guide there, then move through the city on foot to each stop.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to get to Nagano station?

Yes, you'll need to get to the meeting point at Nagano station on your own. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying elsewhere in the city.