The 15 Dining Experiences in Japan We Would Book Again

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

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

Small-group Tokyo Shinjuku izakaya bar hopping with three back-alley stops, all-you-can-drink, and dinner-style snack plates.

“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

Tokyo Sumo Room puts you ringside for retired wrestlers, a clear English intro to sumo traditions, plus chanko-inspired Japanese dining for select sessions.

“This was my FAVORITE activity we did during our entire trip to Japan. The owners were so nice and welcoming. They charged our phones for us and recorded us fighting the sumo wrestlers. 100% recommend!”

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3.Samurai Restaurant Show Ticket with 2 Drinks

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

Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku is a 90-minute neon show with samurai and ninjas, plus 2 drinks inside an ultra-elaborate venue.

“Fun experience, you get two drinks and you can choose from snacks, pop corn and such. The performance was very lively, there are frequent stops I guess to change decor on stage but the last Kabuki performance redeemed the whole show.”

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

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

Walk Osaka’s backstreets at dusk for street food tastings and stories of temples, red-light history, and an optional izakaya dinner.

“A fun tour that took us through the “backside” of Osaka. The guide was engaging and told interesting stories, and we went to less touristic areas. Showed us a distinct side of Osaka that is normally missed by tourists!”

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5.Deep Backstreets Walking Tour with Dinner Option

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

A 3-hour Osaka backstreets walk with gritty stories, two side-dish tastings, and an optional dinner, plus a preserved Taisho-era red light district.

“Rutti was an excellent tour guide. He was very informative and took the time to answer our questions as well as share his own experience living in Osaka. We have been on walking tours in many different places and this one was a stand out to me - a really genuine insight into the lesser known part of Osaka and Japanese culture overall. Highly recommend”

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6.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

Traditional yakatabune dinner cruise from Asakusa, 14-dish meal with free-flow drinks, Tokyo Bay lights, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Skytree.

“Delicious food and a great atmosphere! One of our best experiences in Tokyo so you MUST do! The food is wonderful and you get unlimited drinks, which is wonderful. The boat itself is super cool and the sightings are great as well.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 518 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $108

Walk Kyoto’s Gion with a guide, meet a Maiko for Q&A and dance, then share a meal or tea. Small group, respectful cultural access.

“One of the highlights of my trip so far. Everything was wonderful”

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

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

Small-group Gion walk with cultural stops, then a 45-minute maiko dance and Q&A in Kyoto. Optional dining for $121.37.

“It was fantastic! We learned so many fascinating facts about geishas (geiko) and maiko. We even got to chat with a maiko, watch a performance, and enjoy a delicious meal. Our tour guide, Ken, was incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful—he even brought us water and menthol towels to help us cool off. Overall, an amazing tour and a wonderful experience!”

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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 sukiyaki, live shamisen music, and open-air views of Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and Tokyo Tower.

“Very fun tour, serene and cool. Food was good and alcohol was available is you want some for extra. Our tour guide Karen Midori was very knowledgeable and makes you feel at home.”

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

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

3-hour Shinjuku bar hopping with dinner and included drinks. Stroll Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, Golden Gai, plus all-you-can-drink.

“Fun evening - and a great introduction to izakayas and the Shinjuku area on my first evening in Japan. Could have stayed in my hotel and given in to tiredness. Very glad I didn’t!”

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11.Tokyo Dinner Cruise & Tradition Show & Drinks & Tokyo Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · 1h 40m · from $95

Tokyo Bay yakatabune dinner cruise with live shamisen, sukiyaki-style hot pot and soft drinks, ending with Tokyo Tower views.

“What a great activity! Delicious dinner, sunset cruise, the sights of Tokyo Bay, and Japanese music! Yoyo was wonderful!”

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12.Tokyo Bay: Traditional Japanese Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

Tokyo Bay night cruise on a traditional yakatabune with a multi-course Japanese dinner, unlimited drinks, and Skytree plus Rainbow Bridge views.

“It was great. You sit on tables in the floor. Beautiful view”

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

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

Make ramen noodles from scratch and gyoza in a Tokyo restaurant kitchen with a ramen chef. Small group, pro tools, e-book to take home.

“This was one of our favorite experiences in Tokyo. We left inspired to try out what we learned back home. The instructors were great and part of what made this experience so memorable”

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14.Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 212 reviews · 3 hours · from $94

Hiroshima food and culture guided walk with three tachinomi-style stops, at least 10 dishes, and 3 drinks in about 3 hours.

“We went to some true backstreet places we would never have found on our own. Ken was open and friendly. I will warn you. Don’t ask him about baseball!! Food was plentifully and very tasty.”

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

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

Small-group Gion walk and an intimate Kyoto dinner with a maiko, plus a cultural performance and time to ask questions.

“The experience was the best experience I had in my entire trip. I would definitely repeat. Not only for the astonishing Maiko performance, but also the food and the restaurant were incredibly good and Hikari was an exceptional guide and iRead more”

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