Authentic Traditional Cultural Experiences in Tokyo: Discover What Our Kagurazaka Izakaya Tour Has to Offer
This is the eighth installment in our "Authentic Traditional Cultural Experiences" series in the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, featuring our Izakaya (Pub) Tour. Here, we’ll share what you can gain from this unique experience.
Our Kagurazaka tours have consistently high ratings, averaging 4.94 out of 5 (equivalent to 98.8 out of 100) as of November 16, 2024. This remarkable level of satisfaction reflects the special experiences our guests have enjoyed on our tours, allowing them to gain something truly memorable. The comments in "Users’ Voices" on our site show how these experiences have brought happiness to our participants.
No.8 Izakaya (Pub) Tour
What You Will Gain from This Tour
Savor delicious dishes in one of Tokyo’s top gourmet districts, with around 500 eateries in a compact area.
Enjoy bar hopping in a neighborhood renowned for approximately 100 popular bars.
Learn about Japanese culture from an expert guide while savoring food and drinks.
Kagurazaka Izakaya Tour: An Authentic Experience in Tokyo’s Hidden Gourmet District
Some may question whether an Izakaya (Pub) Tour can be considered one of our Authentic Traditional Cultural Experiences. However, Kagurazaka is not only one of Japan’s leading gourmet districts but also a unique pub area that differs greatly from other well-known drinking spots like Shinjuku’s Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho, which are often packed with foreign visitors.
Kagurazaka remains largely undiscovered by foreigners, attracting mostly Japanese food lovers, making it an ideal spot for an authentic Japanese izakaya experience. While located in the heart of Tokyo, Kagurazaka’s izakayas are primarily frequented by Japanese locals, which is why we believe it offers a truly “authentic” experience.
Kagurazaka: A Premier Gourmet District with Michelin-Listed Restaurants and Hidden Culinary Gems
Kagurazaka’s reputation as a gourmet town is also highlighted in the globally renowned Michelin Guide 2025 (published October 2024). Kagurazaka and its surrounding areas have 20 Michelin-listed restaurants, representing 50% of all Michelin-listed restaurants in Shinjuku Ward (which has a total of 40 listings). In the popular Japanese gourmet review site Tabelog, Kagurazaka boasts 419 listed restaurants (within a 500-meter radius from Kagurazaka Station), with 4.8% of these being Michelin-listed.
In comparison, Tokyo as a whole has 135,459 restaurants registered on Tabelog, of which only 507 are Michelin-listed—a rate of 0.4%. This means that Kagurazaka’s percentage of Michelin-listed restaurants is approximately 10 times higher than the Tokyo average, highlighting its status as one of Tokyo’s premier gourmet districts.
A Gourmet Heritage Rooted in the Edo Period: Kagurazaka’s Rise as a Center of Fine Dining
Kagurazaka’s gourmet history dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868, Samurai era). The area thrived as a Monzen-machi (temple town) centered around Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, established in 1595 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate.
Due to the many visitors to this temple, a geisha district developed near Gyogan-ji Temple in 1788. Ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) serving delicious cuisine were essential to the geisha district, which contributed to Kagurazaka’s emergence as a center of fine dining.
From Ryotei Culture to 'Petit Paris
Following the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, Kagurazaka suffered relatively minor damage and subsequently became Tokyo’s top entertainment district. In 1952, the French Institute (Institut français du Japon – Tokyo) was established near Kagurazaka, attracting French residents and prompting the opening of French restaurants and other Western eateries.
Because of this blend, Kagurazaka has come to be known as “Petit Paris” or “the Montmartre of Japan.” Thus, with a foundation rooted in ryotei culture and an added Western influence, Kagurazaka has become one of Tokyo’s and Japan’s premier gourmet districts.
Experience Quality Cuisine and Sake: Kagurazaka’s Culinary Heritage with Hakutaka
It’s only natural that Kagurazaka’s izakayas serve high-quality cuisine, as they are part of this famous gourmet town. Kagurazaka is also home to Masumoto, a liquor distributor founded in the Tenmei era (1781-1789). Masumoto specializes in Hakutaka, the only sake served as sacred sake at the Ise Grand Shrine. The founder, Kihei Masumoto (the first Masumoto Kihei), discovered Hakutaka sake and promoted it nationwide, particularly to ryotei in Kagurazaka.
In Kagurazaka, there’s even an izakaya that exclusively serves Hakutaka sake: Iseto. Stepping into Iseto, with its atmosphere unchanged since the Edo period’s samurai days, feels like stepping back in time. However, please note that photography is not allowed inside.
Join Our Kagurazaka Izakaya Tour for an Unforgettable Authentic Japanese Experience!
Doesn’t this sound like an authentic Japanese izakaya experience in Tokyo? If you agree, we invite you to join our Izakaya Tour in Kagurazaka. Like past participants, we’re confident you’ll enjoy an unforgettable izakaya experience unlike any other, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Tour Details
Tour Duration: 2 hours
Location: Kagurazaka. Nearest stations include Kagurazaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Ushigome-kagurazaka Station on the Toei Oedo Line, and Iidabashi Station, served by the JR Line and four subway lines.
Price: 8,000 yen per person (excluding food and drink); 10,000 yen for groups of 2-5 people (excluding food and drink); 18,000 yen per person (including food and drink)
Age Requirement: 20 years and above (legal drinking age)
Booking Period: Next-day bookings available
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Meeting Point: Arranged upon consultation with the customer. Hotel pickup is also available for an additional fee.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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