Kyoto: Gion Night Food Tour & 6 Sake Tastings in Pontocho

Summary

Kyoto food tour with sake tastings in gion and pontocho alleys

You’ll wander Kyoto’s lantern-lit Gion & Pontocho with a local guide, sampling over nine traditional dishes (including vegetarian options if you ask ahead), sipping six types of sake at a standing bar, and ending with dessert near Kamogawa River. Expect laughter over new flavors and small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit I was nervous about eating eel — it was the first thing our guide, Yuki, pointed out as we ducked into this tiny spot in Gion. The lanterns outside were flickering, and I could smell something sweet-salty drifting from the kitchen. Inside, everyone seemed to know each other (or maybe that’s just Kyoto for you). Yuki grinned and said, “Try everything once in Kyoto.” So I did. The obanzai plates came out — silky tofu, pickled greens, things I couldn’t name but tasted like spring after rain.

Walking through Pontocho Alley after dark felt like slipping into an old movie. It’s narrow and a little mysterious, with wooden facades and those low voices from behind sliding doors. We stopped at a standing bar for sake tastings — six kinds lined up in small glasses. There was one that smelled faintly of rice fields in summer; another burned a little going down but left this warm sweetness. Someone tried to teach me the word for “delicious” in Japanese (oishii) and I probably butchered it — Li laughed anyway.

The last stop was a café near Kamogawa River. By then the city felt softer somehow, quieter under the streetlights. We had a dessert that tasted like roasted tea and sugar — not too sweet, just right after all those savory dishes. I still think about that moment by the river: people cycling past, the air smelling faintly of water and cedar. Never expected to feel so at home on a food tour in Kyoto at night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kyoto Gion and Pontocho Food Tour

• Walk around Gion Shirakawa area
• Visit traditional restaurant for Obanzai dishes
• Try Kyoto cuisine in Pontocho Alley
• Taste Japanese sake at standing bar
• See Kamogawa River during walk

Top questions

How many dishes are included on this Kyoto food tour?

The tour includes more than nine traditional Kyoto dishes as part of a full dinner course.

Is sake tasting part of the Gion night food tour?

Yes, you’ll taste six different types of sake produced in Kyoto during the tour.

Does this food tour accommodate vegetarians?

A vegetarian menu is available if requested in advance (by the day before).

Where does the Kyoto foodie tour take place?

The tour explores Gion Shirakawa area, Pontocho Alley, and finishes near Kamogawa River.

Are drinks besides alcohol available on this tour?

Yes, non-alcoholic drinks are available at each stop along with alcoholic options.

How long does the Gion night food & sake tour last?

The experience lasts about three hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this Kyoto food tour?

No hotel pickup is included; public transportation options are nearby for easy access.

Are infants or children allowed on this evening food tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap; specialized infant seats are available.

What’s included

Your evening includes more than nine traditional Kyoto dishes across several stops in Gion and Pontocho Alley, six kinds of locally brewed sake tastings (with non-alcoholic choices), two additional drinks, dessert at a café near Kamogawa River, plus three hours exploring with a certified local guide from MagicalTrip before heading back on your own schedule.