Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping Tour with Izakaya & Sake Tasting

Summary

Shinjuku’s neon alleys, smoky izakayas and real Tokyo flavors

You’ll taste your way through Shinjuku’s backstreets with a local guide—ducking into two cozy izakayas for dinner and drinks before sampling four types of sake at a classic bar. Expect laughter over shared plates, new friends by your side, and those small moments that stick with you long after you leave Tokyo.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed the first turn — Google Maps got confused by all the glowing signs in Shinjuku. Honestly, I was already feeling a bit lost (in a good way), but then our guide, Kenji, waved me over with this big grin. He had that calm Tokyo energy I wish I could bottle up. We started off weaving through Memory Lane, where the air smelled like grilled chicken and rain-soaked pavement. There was this old man outside one of the bars who nodded at us — not unfriendly, just sizing us up like he’d seen a thousand groups come through. Kenji said something in Japanese that made him laugh. Felt like we were being let in on a secret.

The first izakaya was tiny — maybe eight seats? We squeezed in and Kenji ordered for everyone (I still don’t know what half of it was). The karaage was crispy and salty; I burned my tongue because I couldn’t wait. Someone spilled a bit of sake and apologized too many times, which made everyone laugh harder than necessary. It’s weird how quickly strangers feel like friends when you’re shoulder-to-shoulder over little plates of food. The main keyword here is “bar hopping shinjuku” but honestly, it felt more like wandering into someone’s living room than a bar crawl.

By the second spot (another izakaya, this one with faded posters and an actual cat sleeping near the door), Kenji started telling stories about growing up nearby. He taught us how to say “kanpai” properly — Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin instead and probably butchered it. The sake tasting at the last place was quieter; four different kinds lined up in little glasses, each one totally different. One tasted almost sweet, another sharp enough to wake you up after all that food. I remember pausing for a second just listening to the hum outside — you could hear laughter echoing down the alleyways even as the night got later.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home in such a busy part of Tokyo. Even now, if I catch a whiff of soy sauce or hear someone shout “kanpai,” it takes me right back there — squeezed into that booth, chopsticks clumsy in my hand, trying not to miss anything.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shinjuku local bar hopping tour

• Visit local Izakaya for food and drinks
• Go to top Izakaya for Japanese cuisine
• Try four types of sake at sake bar

Top questions

How many bars do we visit on this Shinjuku bar hopping tour?

The tour visits three spots: two izakayas for dinner and drinks plus one local sake bar for tastings.

Is food included on this Shinjuku izakaya tour?

Yes, full dinner is included with five local dishes served across the izakayas.

Are drinks included during the bar hopping experience?

Yes, you get two drinks at each of the first two spots plus four different sake tastings at the final bar.

Does this tour include pickup or transportation?

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

Is this Shinjuku nightlife tour suitable for everyone?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

How long does the Shinjuku bar hopping walking tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect an evening spent across three locations within walking distance in Shinjuku.

What’s included

Your evening includes meeting your local guide in Shinjuku before heading out together to two authentic izakayas—where you’ll enjoy two drinks at each spot plus five shared local dishes—followed by a visit to a classic sake bar for four different tastings before saying goodbye near public transport connections.