Kyoto Local Eats & Secret Gion Bar Tour
- Kyoto, Japan
- 3 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
- Instant Confirmation
What makes this tour unique
- Visit local-favorite taverns and a hidden bar you couldn't find on your own
- Taste unique Kyoto local dishes and sake based on guide's recommendation
- Stroll through Kyoto's most beautiful, traditional neon-lit streets Pontocho& Gion in one night
- Discover where locals hang out for an authentic nightlife experience, great for groups and solo travelers
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
Welcome to Kyoto! Pontocho and Gion are the most beautiful and iconic nightlife districts in the city. However, wandering through these narrow, lantern-lit alleys can be intimidating for travelers. The best restaurants are often hidden behind sliding wooden doors with no English menus! That is why I created this tour—to help you experience the true, local side of Kyoto's nightlife without any stress or language barriers.
We will walk through the magical streets of Pontocho and visit two hidden local Izakayas. You will choose authentic Kyoto cuisine, including traditional "Obanzai" (home-style dishes) and "Yuba" (tofu skin), perfectly paired with Kyoto's famous sake based on our recommendation. After satisfying our appetites, we will stroll through the historic Gion district, known for its Geisha culture, and end the night with a toast at a cozy hidden bar. Join me for an unforgettable night of great food, drinks, and new friends!
Official guide
What's included
Explore the Magical Streets of Pontocho & Hidden Izakayas
Our meeting spot is in front of the "Izumo no Okuni" statue at Gion Shijo station. From there, we will step into the beautiful, lantern-lit backstreets of Pontocho. Instead of wandering aimlessly, your local guide will lead you straight to hidden, authentic Izakayas tucked away behind sliding wooden doors. Escape the tourist traps and enjoy a stress-free dining experience with insightful conversations about Kyoto's rich culture and nightlife, completely free from any language barriers!
Savor Local Kyoto Cuisine & Premium Local Sake
Get ready for a true local adventure! We will visit local-favorite spots where you can taste unique, traditional Kyoto cuisine that is hard to discover on your own. Savor healthy "Obanzai" (Kyoto home-style dishes) alongside classic Izakaya comfort foods from our recommendations. Kyoto is historically world-famous for its exceptionally pure water and sake, so your guide will help you pair your delicious meals with premium, locally brewed sake if you order sake!
Stroll Through Gion & Toast at a Secret Local Bar
After satisfying our appetites, we will take a leisurely and safe walking tour through the historic Gion district, globally famous for its timeless Geisha culture and stunning traditional architecture. To cap off this unforgettable evening, your guide will take you to a cozy, secret local bar hidden in the city. Raise your glass, share travel stories, make new friends with fellow travelers, and enjoy a memorable "Kanpai" (Cheers) in the heart of Kyoto!
Meeting Point
Gion Shijo Station, right outside of Exit 5, in front of Izumo no Okuni Statue
- A guide will be holding a orange signboard saying "Magical Trip Tour"
Itinerary
- Meeting Place: Gion Shijo Station in Kyoto
- 1st Izakaya in Ponto-cho area
- 2nd Izakaya in Ponto-cho are
- Visit a hidden bar in Gion or Kiyamachi
- Return to Gion Shijo Station
- (You can stay at the last bar if you like)
- Food and drinks are not included in this tour. At each venue, your guide will recommend local Kyoto dishes, so we kindly ask that each guest order at least one food item and one drink at every stop.
- Please bring cash for payment. We split the check at 1st & 2nd venues, and any amount under 100 yen will be rounded up for easier payment processing. The third bar operates on a cash-on-delivery basis.
- Because most Japanese restaurants are not fully ready for providing vegetarian menus, limited choices of vegetarian foods in our tour is available.
- Please note that there may be other participants
- You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks
- Anyone 20 years old and over can join this tour
- This tour could possibly visit 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 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.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
- Free date/time change up to 24 hours till the tour starting time.
- Cancellation after the starting time or no show, we offer no refund or date/time change.
Inform us about any dietary preferences or restrictions in advance.
| Dietary request | Availability |
|---|---|
dairy-free | ✕ unavailable |
gluten-free | ✕ unavailable |
vegan | ✕ unavailable |
vegetarian | ✕ unavailable |
We cannot be held responsible for any food allergens present at street food stalls during the tour.
- dairy
- eggs
- gluten
- nuts
- shellfish
