10 Best Shinjuku Food Tour! Enjoy NIght Foodie Tour & Bar Hopping in Tokyo
Shinjuku, with its towering skyscrapers including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, is one of Tokyo's most prominent metropolitan areas. Shinjuku Station, which serves various railway lines and express buses, boasts the world's highest daily passenger traffic.
Home to Kabukicho, Japan's premier entertainment district, Shinjuku is known for its vibrant nightlife. The area's charm also lies in its many long-established drinking districts where visitors can experience a retro Japanese atmosphere. While there are numerous izakayas (Japanese pubs) where you can casually enjoy Japanese cuisine and drinks, tourists might find it challenging to choose which establishments to visit.
That's why we're introducing recommended Shinjuku food tours led by local guides to take you to carefully selected izakayas!
8 Food Tours to Enjoy Shinjuku's Hidden Gems with Locals
Shinjuku Izakaya Tour
Source:Tripadvisor
This approximately 3.5-hour tour takes you to three izakayas in the Shinjuku area, selected by local guides. The tour fee includes seven different food items and two drinks, allowing you to try various izakaya dishes!
After meeting up, you'll first head to an izakaya in West Shinjuku. This area is Japan's largest office district, filled with skyscrapers. Compared to other areas, it has a more sophisticated image and features stylish izakayas that are welcoming even for first-time visitors.
After visiting two izakayas in West Shinjuku, the third stop is in Kabukicho. The tour concludes after exploring Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. Since the tour ends near Golden Gai, feel free to continue enjoying the nightlife afterward!
Meeting point: Mister Donut Shinjuku Yasukuni-dori Store
Tour area: West Shinjuku - Kabukicho - Golden Gai - Omoide Yokocho
Start time: 17:00
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
The "Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku" focuses on culinary experiences. First, enjoy sushi made with seasonal ingredients at a guide-recommended sushi restaurant. At the counter seats, you can watch the sushi chef's techniques up close. Savor eight pieces of sushi carefully selected by the chef.
After the sushi restaurant, you'll head to a yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy wagyu beef. Yakiniku is Japanese-style BBQ where you grill meat yourself on a wire mesh and eat it with sauce. Since there are specific grilling methods, times, and ways to enjoy different cuts of meat, such guided tours are recommended for first-time yakiniku diners.
Finally, head to the bustling Kabukicho for after-dinner drinks and desserts.
Meeting point: UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour area: Shinjuku area
Start times: 17:00/18:00/19:00
Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
On this tour, you'll visit three local izakayas that tourists might find difficult to discover on their own, accompanied by a guide who knows Shinjuku inside and out. The charm lies in experiencing Shinjuku's friendly side, from back-alley yakitori stands to lively izakayas packed with office workers.
Your first stop is Omoide Yokocho, a historic drinking district with nearly 80 years of history. This retro street, lined with about 80 shops, is beloved by locals for its cozy atmosphere. Start by raising a beer while enjoying classic Japanese bar foods like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), gyoza (dumplings), and karaage (fried chicken).
After the first stop, you'll continue to enjoy two more establishments in the Kabukicho and Shinjuku 3-chome areas. Don't worry about getting seats at popular venues - your guide will have made reservations in advance. Feel free to socialize with other customers while enjoying sake!
Meeting point: UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour area: Omoide Yokocho - Kabukicho - Shinjuku 3-chome area
Start times: 17:30/18:00/18:30/19:00
Shinjuku Night Free Walking Tour
Source: Tokyo Localized
This is a two-hour walking tour exploring Shinjuku at night. Experience the "city that never sleeps" while walking through areas that might be challenging for tourists to visit alone.
The tour covers the eastern Shinjuku area, including Kabukicho, a thriving entertainment district. You'll see the real Shinjuku that doesn't appear in guidebooks, including host clubs (where male hosts entertain female customers) and the atmospheric love hotel district (note: you won't enter either). Don't miss the photo opportunity with the sudden appearance of the 12-meter Godzilla Head statue in the night cityscape.
This tour doesn't include meals at restaurants. It's perfect for those who want to experience the atmosphere of Shinjuku's streets!
Meeting point: Shinjuku Tourist Information Center
Tour area: Eastern Shinjuku area
Start times: 18:00/19:00
Shinjuku After Dark Izakaya Tour
Source: Byfood
The "Shinjuku After Dark Izakaya Tour" is a three-hour tour exploring local restaurants and izakayas in Shinjuku. After meeting your guide at the bustling Shinjuku Station in the evening, you'll head to nearby establishments. With a guided tour, you can comfortably visit local spots that might be intimidating to enter alone, such as intimate standing bars and yakitori shops.
Afterward, you'll stop at another venue in Kabukicho before heading to Golden Gai. Golden Gai is a historic drinking district with nearly 80 years of history, featuring about 280 unique dining establishments. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere that tells the story of Shinjuku's izakaya culture.
Feel free to continue enjoying Golden Gai after the tour ends!
Meeting point: Shinjuku Station
Tour area: Around Shinjuku Station - Kabukicho - Golden Gai
Start time: 17:30
Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho and Golden Gai Food Tour – Evening
Source: arigato travel
This tour allows you to enjoy popular Japanese cuisine like sushi, yakitori, and ramen that are beloved by international visitors. The approximately 3-hour tour covers 4 establishments across Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai, with all food costs and 2 drinks included in the price.
From tasting sushi to learning the proper way to eat ramen, this Shinjuku food tour will open up a new world of Japanese cuisine for you. During the tour, listen to your guide's entertaining stories about Kabukicho's history and Japanese karaoke culture while capturing plenty of photos of the dazzling streets!
You can upgrade to a private tour for an additional fee. Check the details below if interested.
Meeting point: Tajimaya Coffee Shop (near Omoide Yokocho entrance)
Tour area: Omoide Yokocho - Kabukicho - Golden Gai
Start time: 16:45-17:00
3-Hours Tokyo Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl in Shinjuku Area
Source: Tripadvisor
This tour takes you through Shinjuku's must-visit historic drinking districts. Food and drink costs are not included in the tour price. One of the attractive points is that you can casually enjoy consuming only what you want. Listen to your guide's recommendations and choose items that fit your budget!
Each area has its own characteristics, from the retro Omoide Yokocho to the glamorous Kabukicho, and Golden Gai with its nearly 300 packed establishments. While enjoying izakaya menus and Japanese alcohol, it's recommended to take photos of the neon-lit streets in Kabukicho that truly represent Shinjuku!
After disbanding at Golden Gai, be sure to visit the diverse establishments like karaoke bars and anime bars!
Meeting point: Kitakata Ramen "Bannai" Shinjuku West Exit Omoide Yokocho Branch
Tour area: Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai Alley
Start time: 18:00/20:00
Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)
Source: Tripadvisor
The "Shinjuku Food Tour" is a 3-hour tour where you can enjoy 13 different Japanese dishes at 4 establishments. After meeting at Starbucks in Shinjuku Station, you'll visit four different types of establishments carefully selected by your guide: street food stalls, izakayas, traditional restaurants, and gastro bars. Being able to visit various genres of establishments in a short time is possible only because it's a guided tour.
With approximately one hour allocated for each area - Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai - you can leisurely enjoy the unique cuisine and drinks at each establishment.
At the end, the guide will accompany you back to Shinjuku Station where you first met, so even those concerned about ending the tour in the drinking districts can feel at ease.
Meeting point: Starbucks Coffee Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour area: Omoide Yokocho - Kabukicho - Golden Gai
Start time: 17:00/18:00
For a Personalized Experience in Dining and Sightseeing, Choose a Private Tour
Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Source: Tripadvisor
Private tours offer the attractive benefit of exploring at your own pace without considering other groups. Similar to popular Shinjuku food tours, this 6-hour tour is led by a government-licensed interpreter guide. These certified guides possess excellent English skills and extensive knowledge, enabling you to gain deeper insights into Japanese culture and history. The private nature of the tour with a certified guide makes it easy to ask complex questions.
The guide plans the itinerary based on your preferences, allowing you to efficiently visit Tokyo's tourist spots. Transportation, meals, and entrance fees are not included in the tour price. As you might use trains or buses depending on the itinerary, remember to bring Japanese yen in cash.
Meeting point: Tokyo Station Tourist Information Center
Tour areas: Tourist spots including Asakusa, Shinjuku, Tsukiji, Shibuya, Harajuku
Start time: 8:00-15:00
Private Tokyo Tour with a Local Guide: Tailored to Your Interests
Source: Tripadvisor
This private tour caters to both those short on time and those wanting a thorough guided experience. Tour duration is flexible from 2-8 hours, allowing you to create an itinerary that suits your other plans and preferences. Like the renowned Shinjuku food tours, these experiences can be customized to your interests.
The flexible start times between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM make it easy to coordinate with your schedule. Even a 2-hour tour can be enjoyed in the evening. The tour welcomes everyone, including those using wheelchairs, strollers, or accompanied by service animals.
Tour fee excludes food, transportation, and meal costs - don't forget to bring cash!
Meeting point: NewDays Harajuku Store (location can be changed based on itinerary)
Tour areas: Tourist spots including Asakusa, Shinjuku, Tsukiji, Shibuya, Harajuku
Start time: 8:00-17:00 (varies by tour duration)
For a Unique Japanese Food Experience, Try the "Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class"
Source: Tripadvisor
For those seeking unique food experiences beyond traditional Shinjuku food tours, why not join a cooking class where you can learn to prepare a full kaiseki course? Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese dining style featuring rice, soup, and several seasonal side dishes.
This lesson teaches you how to prepare wagyu beef as the main dish and seven Japanese side dishes. You'll learn the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine, including how to make dashi (essential Japanese stock) and use common seasonings. The small group setting encourages questions and interaction.
Enjoy your creations with sake and green tea together with the group. The knowledge gained about Japanese cuisine will be a wonderful souvenir from your trip.
Location: Cooking Sun Tokyo
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Shinano-machi Station / 8-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yotsuya-sanchome Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Start time: 9:30
