Eat, drink, travel Japan.
This workshop is all about making, not watching. You shape a pewter sake cup by hand with different hammers, then refine the rim so it feels good to drink from. I especially love that you get clear, friendly guidance from Kanako in a small, intimate setting, and that you can personalize your cup with letters, … Read more
Kyoto at night has a hum. So does sake. This private tasting in central Kyoto is run at a small standing bar where you learn what you’re actually tasting, not just what to sip. You get a relaxed, one-to-four-person setting, plus a guide who can explain the stuff that usually stays hidden behind the label. … Read more
The morning starts with calm, ancient Zen. This 1-day private plan strings together three big sights in Nagano—Zenko-ji Temple, a lunch stop at Monzen Terrace Enya, and the famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park—with a driver and English support to keep the day smooth and customizable. I really like that you get a private air-conditioned vehicle … Read more
Shinjuku at night can feel like a maze. This private bar-hopping evening turns the chaos into a smooth, guided route, with Japanese phrases you can actually use and no getting lost. My favorite part is how the guide keeps things personal, so you can ask questions on the fly. One thing to plan for: the … Read more
![[Private]Shinjuku Golden Gai Bar Hopping w/ Japanese Local Guide - Kabukicho walk-through: the scenery shift you’ll notice](https://drinkingjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/privateshinjuku-golden-gai-bar-hopping-w-japanese-local-guide.jpg)
Tokyo at night has a way of catching you. This private Shinjuku bar-hopping experience is built for the exact moment you want help finding places locals actually use. I like that you start with Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) for an easy first sip in a famous food alley, then move into the maze of Shinjuku … Read more
Deer, temples, and a calm plan. This private morning route is built to hit Nara’s big-name sights before they get crowded, with time to wander and actually look. You’ll pair Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and Nara Park deer with an optional stop for Harushika sake tasting, all paced by a local guide like Ikki to keep … Read more
Shinjuku at night is a maze with rules. A private guide turns that maze into something you can enjoy, with private pacing for your group and Golden Gai bar-hopping that feels way easier than going on your own. You also get real-world help with the things that trip people up in Tokyo at night: what … Read more
Snow monkeys and temples in one day. This private 1-day Nagano tour is a smart hit list: wild snow monkeys bathing in natural hot water at Jigokudani, plus the calm gravity of Zenko-ji. I also like the way a private guide can shape the pace so you spend more time looking and less time figuring … Read more
Tea time in a real samurai house. I love that you get the entire 300-year-old property to your own group, so the pace stays calm, and I love the Kyoto Uji organic matcha served in a traditional tea room. One consideration: the experience is about 50 minutes, so it is focused and hands-on rather than … Read more