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Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -
Tokyo Private Tour -

Shinjuku Kabukicho & Golden Gai Night Tour

Nightlife
Tokyo Tour Guide - Tim D.

Joined 2023

Tim D.
4.96 / 5
(56 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Tokyo
English (Native), Japanese (Native)
3 hours
Private tour (only you and Tim D.)
Up to 10 people

A trip to Tokyo would not be complete without a visit to Shinjuku, home to Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and the Golden Gai, some of Japan's most unique places. Enjoy Japanese soul food and soak in the atmosphere and neon lights in Japan's liveliest district! See and experience hidden gems that otherwise would not have been known without a guide. Customization of eating and drinking locations is possible on this tour, as well as exploring other areas.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

05:30 PM

Meeting Point

Shinjuku Station

- Meet just outside the ground floor (street level) of the UNIQLO Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop. There are few Uniqlos in the area so use the address and link below. Here is the Japanese address: ユニクロ 新宿西口店、〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿1丁目1−1 1F Here is the store link: https://goo.gl/maps/ekVTGj5S6vwotbWu6

Omoide Yokocho

The tour starts in the retro izakaya area Omoide Yokocho, the nostalgic alleyway filled with great places to eat, where the pleasant smell of barbeque, local dishes, and cheers from the locals inspires. We stop for food and drinks here.

Kabukicho

It's a short walk to Kabukicho, Japan's biggest neon-lit entertainment district, where interesting shops and characters will surely make an impression on you. As we walk through and explore this area the historical, social, and cultural aspects are discussion points.

Golden Gai

Next, we enter the Golden Gai district, a delightful eclectic maze of over 200 bars and pubs unlike anywhere in the world. This area also has an interesting post WWII history and is great place to have a drink and talk to locals.

Kabukicho

We continue our walk back through Kabukicho and explore a bit more as we make our back to the the starting point. Or guests can keep exploring and enjoying the night.

Ending Point

Shinjuku Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

•Guide fee

What‘s not included

•Food, drinks, and other purchases

•Budget 5,000 - 7,000 yen per person for food and drinks

Tour Important Information

•Please wear comfortable walking shoes and travel light

•Bring cash (not only credit) for food, drink, and other purchases

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Tokyo Tour Guide - Tim D.

Joined 2023

Tim D.
4.96 / 5
(56 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Tim D.

I left Canada in 1998 for a 6-month stay in Japan—and never looked back. After two decades immersed in the culture of Osaka, I’ve spent the last six years mastering Tokyo’s hidden corners. As a scholar and educator, I bridge the gap between Japan’s legendary history and its modern culture and culinary scenes. I don’t just show you the city; I give you 25 years of lived perspective.

Reviews

“Great Start To Our Tokyo Trip”

We arrived in Tokyo mid-day and I wanted to get a flavor of Tokyo on the night we arrived. The Backstreets Walk and Eat Night Tour was the perfect solution. Since we just arrived, Tim met us at our hotel and we got a quick introduction of the Tokyo subway system and the excitement of night time in Tokyo. Between hitting the highlights in Shibuya and Shinjuku, fun meals and tour of the bars, we had a great time. Highly recommend the experience, especially if it is your first time in Tokyo.

James D.

Tim D.

Thanks so much, James! I had a great time showing you around Shibuya and Shinjuku and getting your Tokyo trip off to a fun start. Hope the rest of your travels in Japan were incredible!

“An incredible insider’s tour with Tim, an insightful “local””

Like I did, you may be thinking “Is an ex-pat the best guide for a tour so steeped in Japanese culture?” The answer, especially in Tim’s case, is yes! What I almost missed was, because of Tim’s western background coupled with his experiences living and raising his family in Japan, he’s able to bridge the two cultures perfectly. He knows what you will find odd or puzzling and, having cracked the code of living in Japan himself, is able to translate what you are seeing to make sense of it all. Want to find the cubby hole of a bar in the Golden Gai where Anthony Bourdain shared a drink with all of us? How about explaining the many quirky “information stands” in the Kabukicho (hint: they have nothing to do with the Japanese predilection to curate data.) Curious about the Tokyo car scene or the childhood challenges of Japanese schools ? Tim’s got you covered. We followed him to some of the most cramped, unique, and definitely authentic places, tasting dishes and drinks based on his excellent recommendations that changed my impression of sake and had us making plans to head back to “memory lane” alley for more of that exquisite sashimi. Don’t make the mistake that I almost made. Definitely book this tour. You’ll be talking about it for years to come with openers like “Did I ever tell you about when I ate at Human Gyoza?”

Techdaddio T.

Tim D.

Wow, thank you for such an epic review! It was an absolute blast decoding Tokyo's backstreets, navigating the quirky alleys, and sharing those secret spots with you. Anytime you're ready for another round of sake, sashimi, or gyoza, the backstreets and I will be waiting!

“Great evening in Tokyo!”

I greatly enjoyed my tour with Tim during my time in Tokyo. I had originally intended this to be a bit of orientation upon arrival, but as my plane arrived 4 hours late this wasn't possible. Fortunately, Tim had time at the end of my visit. As a result I enjoyed this experience 10X more than I would have fighting jetlag upon arrival. Tim's a long-time resident in Japan and I learned a great deal about Tokyo & life in the country. I am hoping to return to Tokyo & will certainly plan another tour with Tim.

Clay C.

Tim D.

Appreciate the kind words! Super glad we were able to shift things around so you could fully enjoy the tour. It was great having you along, and I’m definitely looking forward to catching up on your next trip to Tokyo!

Want to Personalize?

$189/ per group

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