Shinjuku Hidden Izakaya Night: All-You-Can-Drink & Local Food

Two Izakayas, Unlimited Drinks, Zero Tourist Crowds in Shinjuku

You visit two working izakayas in Shinjuku that locals actually use, with a Japanese guide who knows the owners. All food and drinks (sake, shochu, sashimi, grilled meat, whatever the kitchen makes) are included. You walk through Memory Lane, Kabukicho, and hidden streets, see the Godzilla Head, and end near Golden Gai if you want more. Groups stay under ten, and the guide books early because the taverns fill up fast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Memory Lane10m
2. Godzilla Head10m
3. Shinjuku Golden Gai10m

Explore Shinjuku hidden Izakaya and streets

• Visit Memory Lane restaurant alleys
• Walk through Kabukicho red district
• Visit first hidden Izakaya tavern
• See Godzilla street and show
• Walk hidden historical street
• Visit second hidden Izakaya tavern
• Optional visit to Golden Gai bars

The experience

You step off the train into Shinjuku and the neon hits you all at once, but your guide is already moving past the obvious spots. Memory Lane first, that 70-year-old alley where salarymen still crowd the counters, then deeper into the backstreets where the real Shinjuku lives. The first hidden izakaya isn't marked on any map. You walk in and the owner nods like they've been expecting you. Drinks start flowing (puffer fish fin sake, snake sake, fifty types of shochu), and the kitchen sends out what they're making that night: sashimi plates, fresh wasabi sushi, tofu sashimi, deep-fried seaweed, pork steak. You're not ordering from a menu. You're eating what the chef recommends, and it keeps coming.

After the first tavern, you move through Kabukicho and past the Godzilla Head on Godzilla Street, then into another hidden izakaya where the owner actually talks to you and the other locals at the bar don't treat you like you're lost. All drinks are included here too. You're not watching the bill climb. The guide translates when it matters, steps back when it doesn't. By the time you're done, you've seen two neighborhoods most visitors never find and eaten and drunk more than you would have ordered alone. If you still have energy, Golden Gai is nearby (over 300 tiny bars crammed into a few blocks), and the guide can point you toward one more if you want.

The tour runs with groups of up to ten people, which means it stays small enough that the taverns actually have space for you. Book early though: these places are packed with locals every night, and the guide closes the tour the moment a restaurant fills up, regardless of what the calendar says online. It's not a scheduling quirk. It's how they keep the experience real. You're not squeezing into a tour-group reservation. You're fitting into a place that was already full of people who live there.

What’s included

• Your night includes entry to two hidden izakayas, all drinks (sake, shochu, and more) at both stops, a welcome drink at the start, and local dishes prepared by the chefs: sashimi, sushi, tofu, seaweed, pork steak, and whatever else they're making that evening.
• You also get a Japanese local guide who walks you through Memory Lane, Kabukicho, Godzilla Street, and other neighborhoods, plus the option to visit Golden Gai afterward if you want.
• Hidden souvenirs and photos from the tour are included.
• Groups stay under ten people.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:15

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (20 and older) · Under 20: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by OMOIDE JOURNEY JAPAN

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to eat and drink in real Shinjuku izakayas without arranging restaurants, negotiating bills, or wondering if you're in a tourist trap. The guide handles the access and the all-you-can-drink format means you can order freely. Reserve early: the taverns fill with locals every night, and the tour closes when they're full.

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Top questions

What drinks are included?

All drinks at both izakayas: puffer fish fin sake, snake sake, premium sake selected by the owner from across Japan, and over 50 types of Japanese shochu. You also get a welcome drink at the start.

How many stops do we make?

Two hidden izakayas, plus you walk through Memory Lane, Kabukicho, Godzilla Street, and other local streets. Golden Gai is optional after the tour ends if you have energy.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?

Message the guide before booking with your dietary needs. They can request vegetarian or vegan options from the restaurants.

Can I bring children?

Minors cannot participate because alcohol is part of the tour. The guide offers babysitting services for an extra fee if you want to join without your children.

Are the izakayas smoking-friendly?

Yes, many of the taverns allow smoking. If you dislike smoking environments, this tour is not recommended.

What if the restaurant is fully booked when we arrive?

The guide will close the tour immediately if a tavern reaches capacity, even if the calendar shows availability. This is why early booking is strongly recommended.

Is this tour in English?

Yes, the guide is Japanese and speaks English. They translate when needed and help you navigate conversations with owners and locals.

What's the group size?

Up to 10 people per tour, which keeps the experience small and allows the taverns to accommodate you without disrupting their regular customers.

Do I need to pay the guide separately for meals or drinks?

No. All food and drinks are included in the tour price. You don't pay the guide or the restaurants directly.