Believe it or not, a good Tokyo izakaya tour could be your single best bet for authentically experiencing Tokyo’s unique nightlife. Sure, iconic places like Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai in Shinjuku are great, but nothing beats a truly local experience. We should know!
That said, going on a Tokyo izakaya tour is a shortcut to meeting great people and experiencing great food and drinks that most tourists will miss. So read on and find out how you could go on one!
Nothing is as authentic as a Tokyo Izakaya tour
The word izakaya’s literal translation is “stay drink place.” So in modern parlance, an izakaya is a place where you could drink and eat in equal measure–often late into the night.
It’s the main reason why izakayas are where the Japanese often go to unwind after a long day of work. Unlike tourist-focused bars, izakayas retain a down-to-earth charm where you can meet and mingle with regular patrons. It’s a more relaxed and yet still lively atmosphere that is hard to find in a more Western-style bar.
These are just your typical, ordinary folk: most of them salarymen, other times, they’re just folks looking to wrap up a hard day’s work. This is what makes a Tokyo izakaya tour a truly authentic local experience. Maybe even some random salaryman you just met and had drinks with will give you his business card–a massive part of Japanese social and work culture!
Incredible food from every location in Japan–and more
One of the best-kept secrets about izakayas is the incredible variety of small dishes available to pair with your drink. You want some yakitori (grilled skewers) paired with your beer? You got it. How about karaage (Japanese fried chicken)? They have that as well–including far, far more than just skewers and fried chicken.
Lastly, many izakayas also serve regional specialties. It’s not just Tokyo food you’ll get to experience here. At times, they might offer you something from Hokkaido, Kyoto, or even delicacies from a place as far as the Ryukyu Islands deep south. That is an immense variety of cuisine!
Even better, these dishes will tend to be priced reasonably to cater mostly to locals. So unlike high-end bars elsewhere in Tokyo, an izakaya is where you can have a great time without having to break the bank.
Explore Hidden Gems
There’s not just one kind of izakaya, and you’ll see this in a Tokyo izakaya tour. These establishments range from tiny, hole-in-the-wall spots hidden in alleyways to larger, more well-known establishments. If you’re just wandering around on your own, you likely will struggle to find one!
Fortunately, a tour will often guide you through areas where many visitors would otherwise never go to. Often, these tucked-away gems give you a taste of old Tokyo, where the vibe is nostalgic and the charm is undeniable.
Unique Drink Selections
While izakayas serve all the usual suspects like beer and whiskey highballs, they are also a great place to try local sake and shochu. On a Tokyo izakaya tour, it is more normal to see a wide variety of sakes from different regions. With that, you’ll find just how different sake can taste!
There’s no shortage of authentic drinking and dining experiences in Japan. But a Tokyo izakaya tour is one that you need to see to believe!
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