Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour
5
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour
By Magical Trip
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About
◼︎Drink like a local! Bar hopping in the backstreets of Pontocho◼︎
To start this All-in-one bar hopping walking tour that Drinks & Foods are all included, our local guide will take you to an izakaya bar (a local tavern) on Pontocho street, one of the most well known night streets, full of local izakayas. We will be taking you to places only the locals know and recommend, making for a one and only experience!
◼︎Various drink and izakaya food tastings◼︎
We'll continue bar hopping walking around in the backstreets of Kyoto. You can try some authentic izakayas that serve yakitori or sashimi with crisp, cold draft beer. If you're a sake-lover, we will help you navigate through a sake standing bar that serves Kyoto-made sake. You can enjoy the night like a local!
Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 16-100, max of 7 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- 3-4 dishes (Enough for full dinner) You can choose from our selections! (Vegan menu available)
- Hopping 3 local izakaya & bars with a local guide
- Photos during a tour
- 3-4 drinks (You can choose from our selections)
What's not included- Additional foods and drinks (Available for purchase)
- Start:
- Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, JapanGion Shijo Station, right outside of Exit 5, in front of Izumo no Okuni Statue. Your guide will be holding an orange board saying "Magical Trip".
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 63670P12- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or stroller.
- 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.
- Summer in Japan is very hot and humid, so we recommend that you bring water and wear a hat to prevent heat stroke.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 63670P12
From
AU$188.34
per adult
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Itinerary
- Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, JapanGion Shijo Station, right outside of Exit 5, in front of Izumo no Okuni Statue. Your guide will be holding an orange board saying "Magical Trip".
- Pass byGion
- 1Hop through 3 bars in Ponto-cho or Kiyamachi areaPass byKamogawa River
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- O7554FMmatthewv0 contributionsGreat food tour in Kyoto!Naru was a fantastic guide through Kyoto! We sampled several distinct food types in both the historic and business districts. We learned something new at each stop.Written 16 February 2025
- nickvalego0 contributionsGreat food tour with sightseeing on topThis was a great tour — we went around very different-feeling parts of Kyoto and got a great feel for the city, seeing spots like Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Market. Naru was a great guide as well, super knowledgeable about the area and brought us to great food spots we would never have otherwise found!Written 16 February 2025
- tanya3900 contributionsMatt was good and he tried his best.Cool. We went to a Sake museum he explained a lot of the history and making of sake. It was nice to have someone guide us around. Thanks!Written 15 February 2025
- Sherpa442584578210 contributionsDinner with Maiko/Geiko in a traditional Kyoto styleThe experience was amazing!!! got a lot of nice photos! :) The guide explained everything very nice! got a lot of information about the meiko/geiko system thank you!Written 15 February 2025
- 318catha0 contributionsGreat Foodie Experience in KyotoMatt was a fantastic guide. We got to try some great places to eat & drink and learnt much of the history of this area including the Geishas. Highly recommendedWritten 15 February 2025
- 660grantm0 contributionsGreat food and conversationHina, thank you for a fantastic tour! We really enjoyed the conversation and all the food! Our favorite was the five course meal at the first restaurant. Interesting with the owner and servers was so fun! Recommend to anyone in KyotoWritten 15 February 2025
- S6162DVjohannesl0 contributionsAmazing experience with super guideThe overall experinece was amazing! Yuka is a very lovely and nice tour guide. You cover a lot of cool things during the tour and the food was fantastic! I would reccomend this tour to anyone who wants to have a different look at Kyoto. 🏯Written 14 February 2025
- kendrahM1173EI0 contributionsGreat fun!Matt was great! We had a great time walking around and seeing the sake history and trying the different sakes. Excellent experience!Written 13 February 2025
- 934calluml0 contributionsBrilliant tour, knowledgable guide and a deserted bamboo grove!I really enjoyed the hidden hiking tour. It was a great chance to see the Inari shrines, a deserted bamboo grove and generally get a look at sites with a few less tourists than usual. Matt was a brilliant guide, full of knowledge and prompts on the sites and related information. I would strongly recommend this tour features on your visit to Kyoto, as you’ll get to hit a few important sites on a scenic hike with a knowledgable person.Written 13 February 2025
- Justin J0 contributionsExactly what we wanted in a tourHide is a great resource for anything Kyoto. We learned more about the area's temples and shrines in the 3 hours together than we had being a tourist the 3 days prior. Professional, friendly, knowledgable... you can't go wrong with this oneWritten 12 February 2025
- bernarde3330 contributionsTour of Fushimi InariHina was awesome! Such a wonderful and friendly guide. She took me through each shrine, was so friendly and knowledgeable. The tour was absolutely worth while!Written 11 February 2025
- Caitlin S0 contributionsFun and Tasty Tour of KyotoFun and informative tour of Kyoto with some tasty snacks along the way. Chie was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and super fun to tour the market with!Written 11 February 2025
- P6925JPmohammeda0 contributionsAmazing FUSHIMI UNARI HIKING TOUR with SHIORWe had an amazing FUSHIMI UNARI HIKING TOUR with SHIOR. We loved the nature and history. SHORI was friendly and accommodating.Written 11 February 2025
- 6jessyt0 contributionsGreat food tour in KyotoWonderful experience, explanations and food. Yutaka was delightful providing great stories and info in the area. I would definitely recommend.Written 11 February 2025
- S8115MEnickj0 contributionsWorth it! Fun, Filling and InformativeOur guide Hina was amazing! She was so informative and fun. She was really enjoyable to be with and taught us so much about Japanese culture in Kyoto. Highly recommend.Written 11 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
489 reviews
Excellent
451
Very good
27
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Jefferson193
3 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I had the most amazing time on this bar hopping food and drinks tour around Kyoto! As a solo traveler, I was looking for a way to dive into the local food scene and explore Kyoto’s nightlife, and this tour exceeded all my expectations.
My guide, Ataru, was fantastic! From the moment I met, he made me feel welcomed and at ease. I’ve done a few food tours before, but Ataru’s personal touch made this one stand out. He took me to a selection of cozy, hidden bars that I would never have found on my own, each offering unique vibes and incredible local food and drinks.
The tour was a perfect mix of local delicacies and drinks. I got to try everything from Kyoto-style yakitori to delicious sake, and Ataru was so knowledgeable, explaining the origins of each dish and drink in detail. He also shared some great stories about the history of the bars and neighborhoods, making the experience not just a food tour, but a cultural exploration.
Ataru was a great guide—friendly, easy to talk to, and very attentive. He made sure I felt comfortable throughout the night and encouraged me to ask questions and try new things.
The highlight of the night was probably the visit to a small, intimate karaoke bar where the owner shared his history as a professional musician and played along while we sang.
If you’re a solo traveler in Kyoto, I highly recommend this tour. You’ll not only enjoy delicious food and drinks but also get a real taste of local culture. Thank you, Ataru, for making this such an unforgettable experience!
My guide, Ataru, was fantastic! From the moment I met, he made me feel welcomed and at ease. I’ve done a few food tours before, but Ataru’s personal touch made this one stand out. He took me to a selection of cozy, hidden bars that I would never have found on my own, each offering unique vibes and incredible local food and drinks.
The tour was a perfect mix of local delicacies and drinks. I got to try everything from Kyoto-style yakitori to delicious sake, and Ataru was so knowledgeable, explaining the origins of each dish and drink in detail. He also shared some great stories about the history of the bars and neighborhoods, making the experience not just a food tour, but a cultural exploration.
Ataru was a great guide—friendly, easy to talk to, and very attentive. He made sure I felt comfortable throughout the night and encouraged me to ask questions and try new things.
The highlight of the night was probably the visit to a small, intimate karaoke bar where the owner shared his history as a professional musician and played along while we sang.
If you’re a solo traveler in Kyoto, I highly recommend this tour. You’ll not only enjoy delicious food and drinks but also get a real taste of local culture. Thank you, Ataru, for making this such an unforgettable experience!
Written 5 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer-Rose R
Greenfield, MA2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
What a great experience! Our tour was expertly timed, we never felt rushed from one place to the other. Great diversity of locations and plenty of options to choose from! We got plenty of food and delicious drinks. Would recommend this tour and company to any group that wants an easy way to see key spots in the city quickly! I would recommend doing this the first night you arrive.
Next, and most importantly, our tour guide Mayu was EXCEPTIONAL! So professional, kind, and fun! We learned so much from her, not only about Kyoto but Japan as well. We all felt truly blessed having met her. If you meet Mayu, tell her friends from Minneapolis say hi!
Next, and most importantly, our tour guide Mayu was EXCEPTIONAL! So professional, kind, and fun! We learned so much from her, not only about Kyoto but Japan as well. We all felt truly blessed having met her. If you meet Mayu, tell her friends from Minneapolis say hi!
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel
13 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
This was one of the best experiences we had in Japan! Our guide, Mayu, was super knowledgeable about the area. She took us to some great spots, including this amazing karaoke bar called Cabaret where the owner played drums for us while we sang. Mayu talked to us about Japanese modern culture, and she gave us a ton of recommendations for other restaurants and things to do. I feel like we made a lifelong friend! I’d recommend to anyone who’s looking to get a feel for the layout of Kyoto while having a ton of fun!
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Smith
3 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Hiroko was amazing, knowledgeable, and resilient, as we had 3 bad actor guests who had no interest in participating beyond being drunk, selfish sorority Girls. They left at the first location after coming up with a sad excuse. She showed us a very good time, recommend drinks and spots based on our preferences, and remained composed through the whole tour. Full respect to her for continuing to provide a wonderful experience with some of the absolute worst guests one could imagine.
Written 29 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert16
Yorkshire, England79 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
This is the second bar-hopping tour I’ve done with Magical Trip, one in Tokyo last year and this one in Kyoto. Both have been excellent.
On these trips you get to discover parts of the city that you probably would never find alone. Side streets you would just walk past that led to fascinating areas, and bars and restaurants used by local people.
The price of this excursion is reasonable given that it includes an evening meal and several drinks, including good-quality sake. Group sizes are not too large, and my guide, Peco, was excellent.
On these trips you get to discover parts of the city that you probably would never find alone. Side streets you would just walk past that led to fascinating areas, and bars and restaurants used by local people.
The price of this excursion is reasonable given that it includes an evening meal and several drinks, including good-quality sake. Group sizes are not too large, and my guide, Peco, was excellent.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tam
London, England, United Kingdom16 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
What a perfect way to spend an evening in Kyoto! Our little group got on well from the very first moment and we shared lots of laughs and stories along the way. A massive thank you to our guide, the lovely Yuma san, who went out of his way to make sure we were all happy and having a great time. He even sang my favourite j-pop song at the final karaoke bar which I'm pretty sure goes above and beyond the job description! By the end of the night we were all singing and ended up staying out far past the end of the tour. Thank you again, Yuma san, for a wonderful evening.
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck D
California32 contributions
Our guide, Yumi, was great but even she couldn’t salvage a poorly designed tour. It’s billed as a Pontocho Alley bar hopping tour but none of the 3 bars were in Pontocho Alley. The drink choices provided by the tour were the same at each stop which was boring. The food choices were ok but 3 small appetizers in total didn’t satisfy dinner-hour hunger. At the second bar we had to stand at the bar tables for the whole time while the rest of the patrons had seats. Karaoke at the last bar was a nice exposure to Japanese bar tradition, the only unique thing about the tour.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback, and we're glad to hear that Yumi made a positive impression. However, we apologize for the shortcomings you experienced during the tour.
We understand your disappointment regarding the deviation from the advertised Pontocho Alley theme and the lack of variety in drink choices. Your comments about the food selection and seating arrangements are duly noted, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
We're pleased that you enjoyed the karaoke experience, and we appreciate your honest feedback. We will use it to improve our tour design and ensure a more satisfying experience for our guests in the future.
Thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention, and we hope to have the opportunity to exceed your expectations on a future visit.
Written 9 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chriss Are F
2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I met my guide at the designated place, and she appologized the others participants had cancelled at short notice, but she still went through with it. And in the end this proved to be a lot better.
My guide, Mayu, was fluent in english, so communicating was super easy, and she had a lot of fun and educational information to tell while walking from place to place. She was charming and friendly, and a gracious host, and a pleasure to talk to.
The final bar/restaurant was the big hightlight of the evening. Tusen takk, Mayu.
Chriss, Norway
My guide, Mayu, was fluent in english, so communicating was super easy, and she had a lot of fun and educational information to tell while walking from place to place. She was charming and friendly, and a gracious host, and a pleasure to talk to.
The final bar/restaurant was the big hightlight of the evening. Tusen takk, Mayu.
Chriss, Norway
Written 3 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ariana
Seattle, WA6 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We had a fabulous time--Mayu was an amazing guide and it felt like a friend showing us around the town. She took us to three very different spots that all had a unique yet authentic vibe and gave recommendations for the best food and drinks to pick. The tour included enough snacks and drinks to keep you satisfied for a fun night. The grand finale was a karaoke bar where we all sang (Mayu is great at singing too!) and had a blast. Mayu--if you are ever in Seattle, we would love to show you around our city too!
Written 12 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ricardo C
8 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Mayu was an absolutely phenomenal guide for our bar-hopping tour in Kyoto this October! My friends and I loved her vast and insightful knowledge, kindness, infectious energy, and patience. At every stop, she skillfully wove bits of history, enhancing our appreciation of the local culture. Her great food and drink recommendations introduced us to authentic Japanese experiences we'll never forget. We adored her and cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone seeking a memorable and enriching guided tour. お疲れさまでしたまゆさん。
Written 11 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there an age requirement? We are traveling with a teenager.
Written 16 July 2019
drinking age in japan is 20 years old. i think there's another type of tour that cater teenagers from this company
Written 8 August 2019
Hi,
Do I understand it correctly that the price only includes one main dish and one drink?
Kind regards,
Y
Written 21 April 2019
Hi! I want very much to book it for april 25th. The day we arrive in Kyoto. Are we goingo to know some Izakaya ? Trying some food as well? Can you guve me more details? My best
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Mila
Written 18 April 2019
Hi there! I am interested in doing this tomorrow night (Tuesday 9th of April) and a moment ago it said it was available and now it is not!
I’m wondering if you have availability for 2 people tomorrow night?
Thank you! Gabrielle :)
Written 8 April 2019
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