Guided tour

Shinjuku: Golden Gai Food Tour

4.9 / 5

18 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

Free cancellation
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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 18 reviews

Review summary

  • Value for money
    4/5
  • Service
    4.8/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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Star rating:

The food part of the tour was average and underwhelming.

March 26, 2023

We had a great time with Sandra during the 3 hour food tour. Learned a lot and appreciated the food, and the sites we would never have discovered ourselves.

March 24, 2023

March 19, 2023

Product ID: 73589