Tokyo Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour & Nightlife Walk

Summary

Shinjuku izakaya hopping with local bites, drinks and neon alleys

You’ll slip through Shinjuku’s buzzing streets with a local guide, tasting yakitori fresh off the grill, sharing sake or beer in cozy izakayas, and wandering Golden Gai’s lantern-lit bars. Expect laughter over shared plates, stories from locals, and a real sense of Tokyo after dark—plus enough food for a full dinner.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to eat in those tiny Tokyo bars you see in movies? I did — so I signed up for this Shinjuku izakaya food tour. Our guide, Yuki, met us right by the station (it’s wild how busy it gets after dark) and led us straight into Omoide Yokocho. The smell hit me first — grilled chicken skewers, a little smoke, something sweet I couldn’t place. We squeezed into a spot where the chef barely looked up but nodded as Yuki ordered for us in rapid Japanese. I tried yakitori with a dab of spicy mustard and honestly, it was juicier than I expected. Someone at the bar laughed when I tried to say “kampai.”

We wandered through Kabukicho next — all neon signs and music leaking out of karaoke bars. It’s loud but kind of hypnotic, you know? At the second izakaya, we shared plates of sashimi (I hesitated on the squid, but went for it), plus crispy fried things that Yuki said were “comfort food” after work. She told us locals come here to unwind; one guy next to us was already on his third beer and grinned at our group like we were in on some secret. Sake tastes different here — warmer maybe? Or maybe that was just the mood.

The last stop was Golden Gai, which is this maze of tiny bars stacked almost on top of each other. You have to duck your head going in — my friend nearly knocked over a lantern (no harm done). We ended up chatting with another traveler from Osaka who swore by the pickled plums they served. Walking back out into the night felt weirdly peaceful after all that noise and color. I still think about those narrow alleys and how everyone just… fits together somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shinjuku Izakaya Food and Walk Tour

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

Top questions

How many food tastings are included on the Shinjuku izakaya food tour?

The tour includes 14+ tastings across four local izakayas.

Are drinks included on this Shinjuku food tour?

Yes, three drinks of your choice (beer, sake or soft drinks) are included.

Does the tour cover both Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai?

Yes, you’ll visit both Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) and end around Golden Gai.

Is this Shinjuku izakaya tour suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarian options are limited; please inform them at least a week before if you have restrictions.

How much walking is involved during this Tokyo food tour?

The route covers about 1–2 km through Shinjuku’s streets and alleys.

Can children join the Shinjuku izakaya tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided walking tour of Shinjuku with stops at four local izakayas for more than 14 tastings—think grilled skewers, sashimi, comfort dishes—and three drinks of your choice like sake or local beer. A bilingual guide shares stories along the way as you explore Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai before finishing up around midnight.