Guided tour

Shinjuku: Golden Gai Food Tour

4.9 / 5

16 reviews

Activity provider: Arigato Travel K.K.
Guided tour

Shinjuku: Golden Gai Food Tour

Activity provider: Arigato Travel K.K.
Likely to sell out

From US$ 188 per person

Likely to sell out

Enjoy Shinjuku’s Golden Gai neighborhood known for being Tokyo’s most popular spot for unique izakaya, bar stall and pub nightlife.

About this activity

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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Try 4 different Japanese local dishes that everyone will love
  • Enjoy Shinjuku’s Golden Gai neighborhood known for being Tokyo’s most popular spot for unique izakaya, bar stalls and pub nightlife
  • Get a chance to enjoy many kinds of sushi and yakitori (skewers) as well as a classic bowl of delicious Ramen
  • Spot Godzilla the world famous Killer Kaiju
  • Learn why this district is one of Japan’s most famous entertainment areas
Full description
Start your tour by walking through the busy streets of Shinjuku heading straight for Omoide Yokocho (literally “Memory Lane”) as your first stop. Omoide Yokocho is rightfully named as it is littered with rustic bars from the 1950s. Anyone of the older generation will feel as if they stepped back in time to the middle of the 20th century. Many of these bars still stay true to their roots, serving roasted giblets with beef and pork, which was a staple when food was scarce after World War II. From there you will make your way to Kabukicho, Asia’s largest, yet safest, red light district stopping at a kushikatsu stall for some authentic regional cuisine called kushikatsu (specialty food from Osaka of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables). Each of the guests will get 4 kushikatsu and 1 drink. From here you will walk through the rest of Kabukicho, weaving in and out to give guests a sense of its intoxicating atmosphere until you arrive at your second stop, a local eatery famous for highlighting the authentic regional flavors of southern Japan where guests will get to try 4 different dishes ranging from char grilled chicken, gyoza, chicken namba, miso and vegetables, yakisoba (grilled noodles, vegetables and meat), and cod roe with rice (menus change seasonally). After this, you'll move into Shinjuku’s Golden Gai neighborhood known for being Tokyo’s most popular spot for unique izakaya, bar stall and pub nightlife. A glimpse back to what Tokyo was like during the early and middle of the 20th century, Golden Gai locations are so densely packed you can almost be in two places at once (one foot in each). Despite is run-down appearance, Golden Gai generally attracts well-off clientele and their prices match accordingly with it being one of the most expensive places to drink in the city. Golden Gai is filled with over 200 small pubs, stalls, and karaoke bars where most are only big enough for five to seven people. Boasting the most densely packed nightlight area in the world, unique in every stall measured in inches rather than feet, Golden Gai will be a glimmer of Tokyo you will never forget and you'll look forward to having a cold-one with you in this historic place. This tour covers all food costs, 1 drink at kushikatsu and 1 drink at Golden Gai. The tour operators asks for a minimum of 2 travelers for the tour. If you are 1 traveler please contact them.
Includes
  • One drink
  • Different dishes at 4 food stops
  • Walking Level Moderate
  • Pick-up and drop off

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide in front of the KISSATEN Tajimaya Coffee House. Follow signs for the West Gate to exit Shinjuku Station, then exit via B15. Your guide can only wait an additional 5 minutes after the starting time and then the tour will depart. Your guide cannot give directions via phone once the tour begins. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests on the tour and also to respect the activity provider's relationships with the restaurants.

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Important information

Know before you go

  • The minimum drinking age is 20
  • A copy of your passport information is required for all participants aged 10 and over
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 16 reviews

Review summary

  • Value for money
    4/5
  • Service
    4.9/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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Star rating:

Yappy & Alex were absolutely incredible! We’ve done a food tour before in Tokyo and this tour put that one to shame. The tour guides take you to places that only the locals know, places you would never be able to find as a tourist. Food was beyond delicious and you get so much! They give you a history of the locations, with a portable slide show to view historic photos of the sites you are seeing. If you want a fantastic experience in Tokyo, DO THIS TOUR!!!

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March 9, 2023

The tour was really indescribably good. Alex was a great guide! In the most crooked corners he opens true authentic jewel cases & lets us participate in the diversity of Japanese/Tokyo table culture. Picturesque and grotesque alleyways are lined with high-rise canyons. And to top it all off, Alex has an exciting story…

January 7, 2023

Our guide Hayato was excellent. Tour was excellent. We had a great fun time. Food was delicious and Golden Gai bars were great fun. Highly recommended!

January 17, 2023

Product ID: 73589