Shinjuku Izakaya Food Tour: 14+ Tastings & Kabukicho Walk

You'll Walk Into a Packed Izakaya and Realize You Have No Idea What to Order

You taste 14+ dishes across three to four izakayas in Shinjuku, with three drinks included and a bilingual guide steering you through Kabukicho and Memory Lane. The tour handles the ordering and the navigation, so you just show up hungry and follow along for three to four hours. Book at least a week ahead if you have dietary restrictions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Shinjuku Golden Gai30m
2. Memory Lane5m

Izakaya food tour and Shinjuku walk

• Meet the tour group
• Visit 2-3 local izakayas
• Walk through Kabukicho area
• Visit popular local izakaya
• Walk through Memory Lane
• End tour around Golden Gai

The Experience

That's the moment the tour starts to make sense. You're standing in Shinjuku with a bilingual guide who knows which places seat tourists without the awkward shuffle, and which ones are genuinely packed with salarymen on their way home. The food tour hits three to four local izakayas across the evening, and you'll taste your way through 14+ dishes: grilled skewers, sashimi, local comfort food, the kind of thing you'd order if you could read the menu and knew what was good. Three drinks come with it, so you pick sake, local beer, or soft drinks as you move through the neon-lit streets.

The walking part is real. You'll cover about a kilometer or two through Kabukicho, which is Tokyo's downtown after dark, all red lanterns and narrow alleys and the hum of the city doing its thing. Memory Lane is one of the stops, this tight alley that feels like it's been there since the 1950s, and then you end up at Shinjuku Golden Gai, which is exactly as crowded and chaotic as the photos suggest. Your guide points out the spots locals actually go to, not the ones with the Instagram queue. The whole thing takes three to four hours, and by the end you've eaten enough for a full dinner without ever sitting down for more than twenty minutes at a time.

Food restrictions need to be flagged at least a week ahead: vegetarian and gluten-free options exist but they're limited, so don't expect a full alternative menu if you mention it the day before. The guide speaks English and Japanese, which matters when you're trying to figure out what's in the small bowl in front of you. You'll walk a fair bit, so comfortable shoes are the actual MVP here.

What’s included

Your evening includes a bilingual guide leading you through Shinjuku's after-dark food scene, 14+ tastings across three to four local izakayas featuring grilled skewers, sashimi, and local comfort food, three drinks of your choice (sake, beer, or soft drinks), and a walking route through Kabukicho, Memory Lane, and Shinjuku Golden Gai. The guide provides local tips and restaurant recommendations as you move between stops.

Days and timesDaily · 11:30 and 17:00

AgesAges 20+ · 10 to 19 years · Under 10

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends elsewhereMeeting point, per the operator: “The starting point is Kirin City Shinjuku Higashi. We may change the starting point. Please check a separate email that will be sent to you a week before the to…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ninja Food Tours

Is this one for you?This works well if you want to eat like a local in Shinjuku without spending the evening deciphering menus or hunting for good izakayas. The guide handles the ordering and the route, which is what makes 14+ tastings fit into one night.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

10 to 19 years; under 10.

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 24h before the start.

How many stops are there on the Shinjuku izakaya food tour?

Three to four local izakayas. The exact number can vary, but you'll taste 14+ dishes total across all of them.

What drinks are included?

Three drinks of your choice: sake, local beer, soft drinks, and other beverages. Non-alcoholic options are available.

How much walking is involved?

About one to two kilometers through Shinjuku, including Kabukicho and Memory Lane. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Can I request vegetarian or gluten-free options?

Yes, but options are limited. You must notify the tour operator at least a week before the tour date. Last-minute requests cannot be accommodated.

How long does the tour take?

Three to four hours, including walking between izakayas and time spent at each restaurant.

Is the guide bilingual?

Yes, the guide speaks both English and Japanese and provides local tips and restaurant recommendations throughout.

What's included in the tour?

Guided walking tour of Shinjuku, 14+ tastings at izakayas, three drinks, professional local guide, and local restaurant recommendations.