About this tour
When Lily from our BugBitten team ran this Tokyo pub crawl, she found herself fishing for dinner at one bar, taking a mock lesson in another dressed like a schoolkid, and knocking back drinks in a train-themed izakaya. It's a 3-hour guided spin through three deliberately weird drinking holes in Tokyo, led by a local bartender who knows the quirky side of the city. You'll move between spots on foot and via public transport, hitting genuinely offbeat venues that most tourists never find. The guide picks you up from your hotel or drops you at Akihabara station, and it's a private tour — just you, your crew, and your host.
Highlights
- Fish your own dinner at a pub with an actual fishing pool inside
- Sit at desks in an elementary-school-themed bar and attempt 'lessons'
- Drink on a floor designed like the interior of a Japanese train
- Local bartender guide shares Tokyo's underground pub scene knowledge
- Private group experience — no forced mingling with strangers
- Welcome drink and two dishes included; fishing gear rental covered
- Flexible itinerary — you can request changes on the fly
What to expect
Expect a guided walk through Tokyo's weirder drinking culture. You'll start at the fishing pub, where the novelty is real — there's an actual pool, rods are provided, and if you catch something, you pay about AUD $20–30 to have it grilled and eaten. It's gimmicky but works as a conversation starter. The elementary school bar leans hard into the theme: you'll sit at small desks, the guide might assign 'homework', and the absurdity is intentional. By the third stop, the train pub, the energy is looser — you're eating local snacks, the décor mirrors a train carriage, and you're mostly enjoying the vibe.
Pacing feels unhurried because it's only three venues in three hours. Walking between bars is on foot or public transport (you cover your own fares). The guide's English is functional and they clearly know these spots well. It's not a high-octane party crawl; it's more a curiosity-driven tasting of Tokyo's deliberate oddness. Lily reckoned the appeal is strongest if you're genuinely into weird venues and want a local who actually works behind a bar to show you around.
What travellers say
- Genuinely weird venues — not rehashed tourist-trap bars
- Private tour means no large crowds or rushed schedules
- Local bartender guide adds credibility and insider knowledge
- Fishing novelty actually works as an icebreaker and memory
- Flexible itinerary — you can request changes during the tour
- Wheelchair accessible and walkable for all fitness levels
- Food costs add up quickly if you fish or order extras
- Gimmick-bar theming might feel forced for some drinkers
- Transportation fares between venues not included in price
- Novelty factor may wear thin if you're not into themed bars
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This scratches an itch for genuinely unusual drinking experiences — you won't find these bars in guidebooks. The private format means no large tour groups, no forced mingling, and the flexibility to linger or move on. The guide is a working bartender, so conversation flows naturally. Two dishes and a welcome drink offset costs. Wheelchair accessibility is flagged, and public transport options are nearby.
Food costs aren't included beyond the two dishes, and if you fish and eat your catch, that's an extra AUD $20–30. Transportation fares between venues are on you. The fishing pub appeal is largely novelty; don't expect a serious angling experience. Early starts or late finishes aren't mentioned, so confirm timing with your guide. The elementary school and train bars are kitschy — if gimmick bars aren't your thing, you might find the theming a bit much.
Wear casual, comfortable clothes and shoes for walking. Bring cash for transport (IC card recommended) and extra drinks or food. Groups are private, so book directly. Peak times in Tokyo are spring and autumn; summer can be humid between bars. The tour is rain-friendly since you're mostly indoors.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.