The 12 Dinner Experiences in Japan That Repay the Fare

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

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

Explore Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai with drinks, dinner, and a local guide in a small group.

“We enjoyed our tour, but it would have been more fun I think if we'd had a bigger group. There were 4 participants, and my family was 3 of those! I'm not sure it made it too much fun for the one other person either. Also, while we very much enjoyed meeting our guide and spending time with her, she admitted she was young and not really a drinker, which I think had something to do with us not actually drinking much on the tour. At least, not the drinking one expected on a something called a "drinking tour." We did feel we got plenty of food, which was nice…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sumo Show and Dining Experience

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

Tokyo Sumo Room pairs close-up wrestling, sumo history, audience participation, and Japanese food in a lively Kiyosumi-Shirakawa show.

“Excellent demonstration! We learned a lot about the sport and its history. The "Show with dinner" does NOT include dinner.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Osaka’s backstreets, food stalls, temples, red-light district, and difficult history on this thoughtful three-hour evening walk.

“This tour was so interesting - you get to find some cool spots you’d never find on your own, and hear all about some of the less talked about parts of the city. This tour really helped me see another side of Japan that I didn’t know about. Big thanks to our guide, Mari, who has a wealth of knowledge about Osaka and is so excited to share it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Deep Backstreets Walking Tour with Dinner Option

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

Explore Osaka’s gritty backstreets, retro arcades, abandoned buildings, historic red light district, street food, and optional dinner.

“Brian was an amazing tour guide! He had so much expertise in Japanese culture and guided us around very well. It was a very interesting tour not touching the typical touristic hot spots. Definitely recommended if you want a deeper understanding of Osaka.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

Review of Tokyo’s Yakatabune dinner cruise, with traditional Japanese food, unlimited drinks, Skytree views, Tokyo Bay scenery, and practical tips.

“Better signage at the pier would help as it is not obvious when you arrive if the boat is not there. Unable to preorder 1st drinks by QR code when asked if you have no data. Staff got us on wifi after boarding. The food was excellent and plentiful. The staff were lovely, friendly and worked hard to keep everyone well stocked with food and drink. Drink was free flowing, good quality and ordered by QR code at the table. Toilets nice and clean. All in all felt like really good value for money and an ideal way to see the city at night (fantastic view of skytree tower) and…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Gion, learn geiko traditions, meet a maiko, watch her dance, and choose lunch, tea, or dinner in Kyoto.

“Kenta was truly amazing with his knowledge and the privilege of meeting our maiko was just awesome!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Gion with a guide, meet an apprentice geisha, watch a dance, and choose a dining option during this intimate Kyoto cultural walk.

“Very unique experience to learn about the life of gei ko. Our guide Akari iwas well informed, she was very friendly and explained everything in details”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of Tokyo Bay’s yakatabune cruise with sukiyaki, shamisen music, drinks, Rainbow Bridge views, and practical booking tips.

“Beautiful at night! Fun evening with traditional Japanese music. The hot pot was very good(beef). We added the Tokyo tower which was a lot of fun but not necessary to add to the boat trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai with dinner, local guides, and included drinks on a three-hour izakaya tour.

“Yuma did a great job helping us navigate through each location while giving us amazing facts about the city. Would definitely book again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of Tokyo’s yakatabune dinner cruise with shamisen, sukiyaki, Tokyo Bay views, soft drinks, and Tokyo Tower access.

“Our guide, the food and the entertainment were brilliant. Thank you to Karen and Midiro for making it a very special evening!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Tokyo Bay: Traditional Japanese Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

Review of Tokyo’s traditional Yakatabune dinner cruise, with Japanese food, unlimited drinks, Skytree views, Rainbow Bridge, and practical tips.

“It it was a very nice authentic Japanese experience. Several courses and beautiful view at night. Worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner

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

Taste Hiroshima across three local restaurants, sample 10 or more dishes, and explore Hondori and Nagarekawa with an English-speaking guide.

“Ken was amazing.He couldn't do enough for us. The food and drink was plentiful and the group was friendly and sociable. I tried food that I didn't know even existed and my husband and I both said it was a highlight of our trip to Japan.”

Check availability →Read our full review