Kawaramachi Izakaya Bar Crawl

Kawaramachi Izakaya Bar Crawl, 3 hours, rated 4.9 across 1,042 traveller reviews.

Overview

Three hours, three venues, and a local guide who does the ordering for you. This bar crawl from Travel Japan Together starts at the Disney Store on Shijo-Kawaramachi and works through the Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi nightlife strips, ending at a bar the operator describes as one most visitors would not find on their own. Food and drinks are not in the tour price, so the night runs on cash.

The guide walks the group along Kawaramachi-dori first, pointing out temples and alleys along the way, then moves into Kiyamachi, where the operator says the guide's local connections open doors to bars that do not take general customers. Reviews repeatedly credit the guides by name for the experience, and one traveller mentions going out afterwards with people from the group. The listing says groups normally run 5 to 10 guests.

Dietary restrictions should be flagged in advance, and anyone under 20 should not drink, per the listing.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Shijo-KawaramachiThe meeting point is the Disney Store at Shijo-Kawaramachi, at the northeast corner of the Koto Cross building. The exact starting arrangement depends on the selected option.
2. Kawaramachi-dori walkA 15-minute guided walk along Kawaramachi-dori, with the guide pointing out temples and alleys and giving context on the area.
3. Bars and izakayasTwo and a half hours across three venues in the Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi area, with the guide helping order food and drinks at each stop. Drinks and food are paid for separately, cash only.
4. Finish at a local barThe tour ends at a bar in the area, at a spot that depends on the selected option. Guests can stay on afterwards if they want.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from what travellers report back.

• Bring cash. Food and drinks are not included. The listing puts the total cost at approximately 7,000 yen, split evenly among participants, with cash the only payment method. Cards cannot be used, so bring more than you think you need.
• Small group feel. The listing says groups normally run 5 to 10 guests. Several reviewers describe the night as a social experience and say they met new people on the tour, so expect company rather than a private tour.
• Good for solo travellers. One reviewer recommends this tour for travelling alone, calling it ideal for discovering speakeasy-style places with good drinks when you are on your own.
• Guide does the ordering. Help ordering food and drinks at each venue is listed as included. Reviewers praise the guides' knowledge of Japanese culture and drinks, including sake and whisky, so language barriers at the counter are handled for you.
• Photos afterwards. The guide takes photos during the tour and shares them after the experience. You do not need to manage your own group shots while holding a drink.
• Dietary needs. The listing asks that dietary restrictions be flagged in advance. Tell the operator when you book rather than on the night.

Common issues. Food and drinks are extra and cash only, which catches out anyone expecting an all-inclusive price, and the listing states the total bill will be split evenly among all participants.

Common Questions