Tokyo Bar Hopping: Golden Gai, Kabukicho & Omoide Yokocho

On this bar-hopping adventure, tread off the beaten path and explore Shinjuku’s hidden and exclusive bars in Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai. All the bars and eateries you’ll visit have been vetted by a well-known Shinjuku expert and published author. Your expert guide will navigate the streets and take you to a unique and careful selection of spots to experience the best of Japan’s bar culture.

After meeting your guide, you’ll visit the first bar of the tour in Omoide Yokocho, aka “Memory Lane.” From its origins as a post-war black market to a Showa-era cultural hub, this narrow alleyway jammed with eateries gives off a nostalgic atmosphere. The unpretentious yet fulfilling fare and drinks attract locals and tourists alike. Sample classic dishes like yakitori and sip on shochu, or indulge in the bar’s specialty dish.

After Omoide Yokocho, head off to the neon-soaked streets of Kabukicho. Bursting at the seams with seedy clubs, karaoke bars, and countless restaurants, Kabukicho is the ultimate nightlife hub. Fried foods and beers are the perfect foods to offset the vibrant atmosphere.

The tour ends with drinks in Golden Gai, another tiny packed warren of bars imbued with a nostalgic Showa-era ambiance. Over 300 establishments crowd the narrow streets of this former red-light district, with some more well-known than others – in keeping with the tour’s theme, you’ll visit a bar unknown by most. Say cheers the Japanese way with a hearty “kanpai” and enjoy one last round of drinks with your guide before the tour ends.