Private Bars & Dinner by Train from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor

I was drawn to the idea of a samurai guide when I previously joined Sho’s Mt. Takao hiking tour. The time I spent with Sho, a modern-day samurai, was so enjoyable that this time I decided to have him guide me through the town of Kichijoji. Sho’s calm presence felt once again like that of a samurai on his day off. There is something reassuring about the way he carries himself. Visiting restaurants in an unfamiliar place can be surprisingly nerve-wracking, especially those with a great atmosphere. But this time, I knew I was in good hands with a samurai guide. Sho smoothly led us into a yakitori restaurant. The counter seating surrounded the kitchen, allowing us to watch the chef grill right in front of us, which was fascinating. We enjoyed a variety of dishes including yakitori, fried foods, motsuni (stewed offal), and even a simple snack like kaki-no-tane. Everything was delicious. One dish that stood out was a white yakitori. When I asked what it was, I learned it was chicken thigh. I was surprised by how incredibly good such a familiar cut of meat could be. The chef’s skill, the atmosphere of the place, and Sho’s guidance all came together to make it a memorable experience. There was also a wide selection of craft beers, making it hard to choose. Whenever I hesitated, Sho gave thoughtful advice or asked the staff for recommendations. He was a truly reliable guide. In the latter half of the tour, the food was so good and the conversation so engaging that I completely forgot to take photos. Time flew by before I realized it. To me, a modern samurai turned out to be a very dependable and thoughtful trip advisor. Thank you, Samurai. Thank you, Sho.

From the first stop, it was clear that Sho has a great relationship with the staff. We were welcomed warmly everywhere, and it made us feel comfortable right away. At each place, Sho chose wonderful dishes, and we picked our own drinks to match them. He never pushed “the right answer,” but gave gentle suggestions when we were unsure. That made pairing fun, even for beginners. Sho also helped connect everyone, so conversations with other guests felt natural and easy. By the end of the night, it felt less like joining a tour and more like having drinks with a close local friend. That’s probably why the night felt so special.

I had a great time on this Kichijoji tour. Even though the area was crowded, meeting Sho was very easy. His samurai outfit made him stand out right away, so we could find each other without any stress. What impressed me most was Sho’s relationship with the local shops. You could tell he is genuinely welcomed by the staff, and the atmosphere felt warm and relaxed from the start. Sho is very friendly and easy to talk to. It quickly felt less like a tour and more like hanging out with a local friend. He naturally helped connect us with the shop staff and local customers, which made the experience feel very real and personal. I don’t know much about alcohol, but that wasn’t a problem at all. Sho suggested pairings in a very natural way, and everything made sense and tasted great. The food was excellent. His recommendations featured local ingredients, and we enjoyed a full variety — yakitori, Western-style dishes, and sushi. By the end, I was completely full and very satisfied. If you want a relaxed, friendly, and truly local food experience in Tokyo, I would definitely recommend this tour.

We started in Harmonica Yokocho with yakitori and sake. It was lively, warm, and full of energy. Sho welcomed us calmly in his indigo haori, and guided us through the night in a very quiet, respectful way. For the second stop, we went to a calm craft beer bar. The beer was poured fresh from the tap, and we had great dishes with lots of Tokyo-grown vegetables. The last stop was a quiet sushi restaurant. Simple, peaceful, and the perfect way to end the night. I loved how the night flowed from lively to calm, almost like a small journey. Sho never rushed us. He watched the atmosphere and moved us at the right moment. It felt less like joining a tour, and more like being gently led by a modern samurai through the city. I really enjoyed this experience.

KICHIJYOJI is a popular area among young people in TOKYO. Nowadays, Japanese young people don't have the habit of going out drinking, and there aren't many people in drinking districts. It may be a little lonely, but that also means you can enjoy a calm atmosphere. Your guide, Sho, is loved by everyone in the Kichijoji area. You might just make some truly Japanese friends on this tour. There's a wide variety of beer and the food is homemade.

A bar in Harmonica Yokocho had reserved seating in a great spot, allowing us to fully enjoy the lively alley atmosphere. The samurai-style outfit of Samurai Guide Sho matched the retro setting perfectly. The Western-style dishes made with Japanese ingredients were delicious. There was a wide selection of Japanese whisky, so it never felt repetitive. It was a great way to experience the nightlife of Kichijoji.

One stop featured many taps, offering a wide variety of Japanese craft beers. Samurai Guide Sho was friendly with the staff, which made the experience feel relaxed and welcoming. Japanese craft gin, sake, and other drinks were also available, and the gin and tonic was especially good. At a sushi restaurant, seasonal assorted sushi was hand-pressed by the chef and tasted excellent. With generous portions throughout the tour, it was very filling and satisfying.

Kichijoji is such a cool neighborhood, and this tour showed me sides of it I would never see on my own. We visited hidden alleys, small bars, and lively food spots — the kind of local experience you’ll never get from typical tourist tours. Sho (the Samurai guide) made everything easy and fun. He knows the owners, the menus, and the history behind each place. It felt more like hanging out with a local friend rather than joining a tour. I joined alone, but I felt completely comfortable the whole night. The drinks, the food, the atmosphere, and the people were all amazing. If you want a truly local Tokyo night, this is the one. Highly recommended!

We absolutely loved this tour. Sho took us to a local craft beer bar that we would never have discovered by ourselves, and the fresh draft beer there was incredible. The atmosphere felt so local and authentic, and we enjoyed learning about the neighborhood while walking between spots. It didn’t feel touristy at all — just a genuine experience with great drinks and great company.

I joined Sho’s Kichijoji bar tour and I had a really good time. Sho is very kind and easy to talk to. He explained Japanese culture in simple English, so I could understand well. We visited small local bars and the atmosphere was very nice. The food and drinks were delicious too. I want to join his tour again next time I come to Tokyo!