About this tour
A 4-hour evening food and drink tour of Kyoto led by a chef who knows the city's nightlife scene. You'll start at a converted liquor store in Nishiki Market, move through standing bars and izakayas where locals eat, then choose your own pace through downtown venues — craft beer bars, cocktail spots, or sake shops. Includes all food and drinks.
Highlights
- Start at Matsukawa, a liquor store that becomes a bar after dark
- Visit tachinomiyas (standing bars) popular with Kyoto locals
- Guided by a chef who works as a bartender and knows the scene
- Choose your own route through downtown's craft beer and cocktail bars
- All food and drinks included in the price
- Private tour with English-speaking guide
- Dietary restrictions accommodated with advance notice
What to expect
Your guide meets you at Matsukawa, a neighbourhood spot in Nishiki Market's western end that shifts from daytime liquor store to evening bar. You'll have a first drink here, mingling with a mix of students, locals, and politicians. From there you head south to standing bars and izakayas — fast-paced, casual spots where you'll eat what locals order and chat with other patrons. The pace is up to you: after the initial venues, you choose where to go next, whether that's a craft beer bar, high-end cocktail spot, or a serious sake shop in downtown Kyoto. The night wraps when you decide.
What travellers say
- Chef guide offers genuine local knowledge, not tourist routes
- Standing bars and izakayas feel authentic and unpretentious
- All food and drinks included — clear pricing
- Flexibility to choose venues suits different tastes
- Mix of people from different walks of life at each stop
- Several hours on your feet moving between venues
- Standing bars can be crowded and loud during peak times
- Not suitable for those with heart or cardiovascular issues
- Under-20s cannot participate in the drinking component
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This suits anyone interested in Kyoto's after-dark food and drinking culture, especially those who want insider knowledge rather than tourist-focused venues. You'll be on your feet for most of the night moving between spots, so reasonable fitness helps. The tour involves alcohol — you must be 20+ to drink, and it's not recommended for people with cardiovascular concerns. Standing bars can be crowded during peak evening hours. Food and drinks are included; public transport is nearby if you need to get home. Dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) can be met if you flag them at booking. Infants can attend if held by an adult.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.