15 Dining Experiences in Japan, Compared

1.Tokyo Bar Hopping Tour in Shinjuku (All-You-Can-Drink + Dinner)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,587 reviews · from $106Our pick

Shinjuku izakaya bar hopping in a small group of up to 7, $106 includes drinks and snack plates, plus three back-alley stops.

“Yosh was a very kind, knowledgeable, and interesting gentleman who was my Tour Guide. He went out of his way to explain the historic neighbourhoods we visited and took me to very interesting spots. For a traveler looking for an enriched experience in Shinjuku neighborhood, this is a good opportunity. Highly recommended!”

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2.Sumo Show and Dining Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,742 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $79

Watch sumo up close and eat chanko-style dinner at Tokyo Sumo Room in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, led by former wrestler Tokitsumi.

“This was a fantastic experience! The information provided about everything Sumo was great, and to be served a delicious meal while listening was very organised. They also let you order as many serves of food as you wanted. Many laughs were had as each of the wrestlers had fun with each other and joked with the audience. A fantastic night I’d highly recommend.”

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3.Samurai Restaurant Show Ticket with 2 Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,307 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

A 90-minute Samurai Restaurant show in Shinjuku with two drinks, neon effects, and up-close samurai-and-ninja entertainment for 18+ Tokyo nights.

“I really enjoyed the show. The energy was unmatched.”

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4.Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,290 reviews · from $53

Osaka backstreets after dark with street-food tastings, local stories of the Red Light district, plus optional izakaya dinner for $53.06.

“This was exactly what I hoped for. After seeing a lot of the touristy parts, it was very interesting to learn about the grittier areas and more about the history. Mari was wonderful and explained everything very well and was very patient to answer any and all questions. I knew a fair amount about the history with the "gentlemen" and about gambling but it was still very interesting. And i learned a lot about the unhoused population and abandoned homes. As a solo traveler, I also greatly enjoyed meeting the others in my group and mingling with people from all over. I think walking through the Red Light Distict actually…”

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5.Deep Backstreets Walking Tour with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 902 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $40Best value

Osaka backstreets walking tour for $40: Taisho-era red light district, abandoned buildings, and 2 side dishes, plus optional dinner.

“Awesome Tour with Bennet. Very recommended to get a good feeling of the other side of japan and Osaka. Very informative and entertaining. We enjoyed the Tour a lot and recommend it to everyone who want to get to know the whole side of this magnificent country”

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6.Yakatabune Dinner Cruise with Japanese Show & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 871 reviews · from $100

Take a Tokyo Bay yakatabune dinner cruise with sukiyaki, unlimited soft drinks, and live shamisen show, plus open-deck night skyline views.

“Really great experience. The food was good, musician was good and guide was good. Lovely Japanese experience!! Would recommend and would do again!”

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7.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 779 reviews · 2h 30m · from $103

Traditional yakatabune dinner cruise from Asakusa: 14-course Japanese meal, free-flow drinks, and Tokyo Bay and Skytree night views.

“Excellent night out. Great food and plenty of it and unlimited drinks. A couple of good photo stops too. This trip is definitely worth the money.”

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8.Kyoto Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show with Dining Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 483 reviews · from $121

Kyoto Gion walking tour plus a 45-minute maiko dance show and Q&A. Learn Kabuki, Shinto, Zen, and optional dining.

“Kenta was a fabulous tour guide with a clear passion for the geiko culture and spreading knowledge and love of it to visitors from overseas. The tour itself was varied, engaging, and culminated in having tea and meeting a meiko-san who performed two lovely dances for us all. Absolute highlight of our trip to Japan, can't recommend any more highly!”

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9.Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · from $65

Tokyo Bay yakatabune dinner cruise with live Japanese music, *sukiyaki*, unlimited soft drinks, and big water-view photo stops.

“Hibiki and Karen were amazing! The cruise was about two hours long and had great food and music. The view was pretty.”

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10.Shinjuku Bar Hopping with All-You-Can-Drink & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 440 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Shinjuku after dark in 3 hours: 3 izakaya stops, dinner, and all-you-can-drink included, guided on foot through Tokyo’s backstreets.

“The tour was a lot of fun while also deepening my understanding of Japan. Icchan was funny and knowledgeable. This tour ultimately was a great way for me to get out and have some drinks in Tokyo with others as a solo traveler. I'd recommend this tour and will book again if I return to Tokyo!”

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11.Tokyo Bay: Traditional Japanese Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 243 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

3-hour yakatabune dinner cruise in Tokyo Bay with Skytree and Rainbow Bridge views, fresh multi-course dinner, and unlimited drinks.

“Highly recommended! The entire experience was so unique and enjoyable. The food was good. Ambiance was spectacular.”

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12.Professional Ramen & Gyoza with Ramen Chef in a restaurant!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · from $159

Make ramen noodles and gyoza in a real Tokyo restaurant kitchen with a chef, broth choices, and a take-home e-book.

“Very informative and fun! I learned how much work went into making ramen and we had amazing teachers who made the process fun! I would definitely come back again!”

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13.Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · from $299

Small-group Gion walk and a private Kyoto-style dinner with a maiko, plus cultural performance, food, drinks, and guide translation.

“A mesmerizing time with the maiko, you feel pampered and very welcomed :) The food was great, as well as the explanations and our guide. I will do this again”

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14.Mesmerizing Dinner with Maiko & Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $157

Kyoto kaiseki dinner with maiko or geisha, dances, games, and included drinks, in a historic wooden restaurant for 2 hours.

“Firstly, this experience was with a Maiko only. I'm not sure why the listing is incorrect.”

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15.Geisha Dinner & Gion Cultural Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 3 hours · from $257

Walk Gion, enjoy kaiseki dinner with unlimited sake, then spend up to 2 hours with a geiko or maiko.

“Our guide Taïga and the Geisha were lovely, we were able to ask all the questions we wanted, we know now more about this specific culture in Japan. We also played to a fun game. A really special thanks to our guide Taiga. We had a great time, the walk in the Gion district was pleasant and the dinner was excellent. A dose of humor is always necessary.”

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