Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
- Tokyo, Japan
- 3.5 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
- Instant Confirmation
What makes this tour unique
- 2-time TripAdvisor #1 out of 10,000+ experiences — Japan's original bar-hop tour
- Bar-hop Tokyo's must-see spots — Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho & Kabukicho
- Your introduction to izakaya, Golden Gai & Tokyo nightlife, with a local
- Food, drinks & all-you-can-drink izakaya — all included, no surprises
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
I've been drinking in Shinjuku since college — long before it was on anyone's radar. The old-timers at Omoide Yokocho taught me this neighborhood's postwar history in ways no guidebook could. That's what I want to share.
MagicalTrip pioneered bar-hopping in Japan in 2018 and we've since earned TripAdvisor's #1 Experience in Japan two years running — out of 10,000+ experiences. We cover Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho (all-you-can-drink), and Golden Gai, food and drinks included.
This tour is about unwritten codes — the history behind a smoky yakitori stall, the unspoken bond between a Golden Gai master and their regulars. Things you'd never pick up booking a table on your own.
First night in Tokyo? Traveling solo? Just want something genuinely local? This is it. All costs covered, English-speaking guides all night. Storytellers, beer obsessives, off-duty salarymen, students who keep the energy up — every one of them will show you the real Shinjuku.
Official guide
What's included
Step Into Post-War Tokyo — Your First Drink at Omoide Yokocho
Born from the black markets of post-war Tokyo, Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alley thick with charcoal smoke and sizzling yakitori. This is where Japanese izakaya culture was born. Most tourists walk past without understanding what they're seeing — your guide changes that. Two drinks included (draft beer, sake, your pick). Eat, drink, and finally get why this smoky little alley means so much.
All-You-Can-Drink in the Heart of Tokyo's Wildest Nightlife District
Welcome to Kabukicho — Tokyo's biggest, most electric nightlife district. A seat at a local izakaya where salarymen vent about their boss and clink glasses with strangers — the kind of place you can't walk in without a reservation. We already made one. Order freely from beers, sake, cocktails and more — all unlimited. Handpicked by local bar-hoppers, not your average tourist guide.
Unlock Golden Gai — 200+ Tiny Bars, Each With Its Own Universe
Golden Gai is unlike anywhere else — 200+ micro-bars in an area the size of a soccer field. Six narrow alleys, some bars fitting just five people. Regulars-only spots, music bars run by actual band members, hidden gems you'd never find alone: every door opens to a different world. Your guide gets you through doors that would otherwise never open. One drink included — stay as long as you like.
Photos from the Recent Tours
Meeting Point
In front of Black pillar (Next to Uniqlo Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop)
- 7-8 minute walk from JR Shinjuku station West Exit
- Our guide will be holding a red/orange sign saying "Magical Trip"
- Nearest exit from Shinjuku station is D1.
- Please refrain from sitting around the Black Pillar while waiting for proper etiquette.
Itinerary
- Meet your guide at the Black Pillar by Uniqlo, Shinjuku West Exit
- Walk through Omoide Yokocho — your guide brings the history to life
- 1st Stop: Izakaya in Omoide Yokocho
- Walk into Kabukicho — your guide decodes the district
- 2nd Stop: All-you-can-drink izakaya in Kabukicho
- Step into Golden Gai — your guide unlocks the doors
- 3rd Stop: Your bar in Golden Gai
- Tour ends at Shinjuku Station — or stay and keep the night going
- Because most Japanese restaurants are not fully ready for providing vegetarian menus, limited choices of vegetarian foods in our tour is available.
- Anyone 20 years old and over can join this tour.
- For our third stop, we’ll visit either a cozy local bar or a lively karaoke bar. Karaoke after bar-hopping is a classic part of Japanese nightlife, so we hope you’ll join in and enjoy this fun experience!
- You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks
- This tour could possibly include places where smoking is not prohibited. Please note that we may not be able to change the tour venues in this case.
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
- This tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues, if you have walking problems we recommend booking a private tour.
- Please note that we are unable to guarantee allergy-free or cater to dietary restrictions as the food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to MagicalTrip. Additionally, there may be instances where substitutions are not possible at certain stops; however, we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.
- Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time.
- You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- This tour is scheduled for 2.5 hours to allow enough time for larger groups (up to 20 guests). Depending on the number of participants, the tour may finish slightly earlier than the scheduled duration.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
- Free date/time rescheduling up to 24 hours before the tour starting time (depending on availability).
Inform us about any dietary preferences or restrictions in advance.
| Dietary request | Availability |
|---|---|
vegetarian | ✓ possible |
dairy-free | ✕ unavailable |
gluten-free | ✕ unavailable |
vegan | ✕ unavailable |
We cannot be held responsible for any food allergens present at street food stalls during the tour.
- dairy
- eggs
- gluten
- nuts
- shellfish
- soba
Check out YouTuber Tokyo Creative experiencing our tour
