Kyoto Evening Food Tour: Pontocho Alley, Yakitori & Obanzai
Day tour
Food tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto
1N (Participation Duration)
Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/8
0 booked
Tour description
Pontocho is a five-hundred-meter-long alley between the Kamo River and Kiyamachi, less than two meters wide, lined on both sides with wooden machiya houses whose ground floors are restaurants and upper floors are private spaces. It is one of Kyoto’s geisha districts and one of the best places in Japan to eat at the counter.
We begin with obanzai, Kyoto’s home-style cooking, displayed in ceramic bowls on the counter and selected by pointing: simmered pumpkin, sesame-dressed spinach, kyo-yasai vegetables, grilled fish. The guide will explain why Kyoto cuisine is so refined and restrained, and what the true seasonal rules are. Then comes yakitori grilled over binchotan charcoal at the counter—thigh, skin, liver, gizzard—ordered one skewer at a time, with the guide translating the different cuts of meat.
Between the two stops, we will sample sake, three pours placed side by side, accompanied by an explanation of rice-polishing ratios, the water used for brewing, and why Kyoto’s Fushimi district produces more delicate sake than anywhere else. We finish with a walk along the Kamo River and a small sweet.
Small groups, limited to 8 guests, because the counters here have no more than eight seats.
We begin with obanzai, Kyoto’s home-style cooking, displayed in ceramic bowls on the counter and selected by pointing: simmered pumpkin, sesame-dressed spinach, kyo-yasai vegetables, grilled fish. The guide will explain why Kyoto cuisine is so refined and restrained, and what the true seasonal rules are. Then comes yakitori grilled over binchotan charcoal at the counter—thigh, skin, liver, gizzard—ordered one skewer at a time, with the guide translating the different cuts of meat.
Between the two stops, we will sample sake, three pours placed side by side, accompanied by an explanation of rice-polishing ratios, the water used for brewing, and why Kyoto’s Fushimi district produces more delicate sake than anywhere else. We finish with a walk along the Kamo River and a small sweet.
Small groups, limited to 8 guests, because the counters here have no more than eight seats.
Meeting point:
View on map
Pontocho Alley north entrance, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
We meet at the north entrance to Pontocho Alley just off Sanjo-dori, beside the red lantern sign. Your guide will have a small sign with your name.
Detailed itinerary
Stop 1 - Pontocho Alley: We walk the lane first with your guide on the machiya architecture, the geisha district's workings and how to tell which doors you may and may not open.
Stop 2 - Obanzai counter: Kyoto home cooking chosen by pointing at earthenware bowls on the counter - simmered vegetables, sesame spinach, grilled fish, tofu - with a glass of beer or tea.
Stop 3 - Sake tasting: Three pours side by side, including a Fushimi sake, with your guide explaining polishing ratios, brewing water and how to read a label.
Stop 4 - Yakitori over binchotan: Chicken thigh, skin, liver and gizzard grilled stick by stick over white charcoal at a counter, ordered in Japanese by your guide.
Stop 5 - Seasonal small plates: Whatever the season dictates - chilled tofu in summer, simmered daikon in winter - with your guide on Kyoto's seasonal rules.
Stop 6 - Kamo River walk: A short walk along the riverbank, with the summer noryo-yuka decks if you are here between May and September.
Stop 7 - Warabi mochi or matcha sweet: A last small sweet with green tea to finish.
Stop 2 - Obanzai counter: Kyoto home cooking chosen by pointing at earthenware bowls on the counter - simmered vegetables, sesame spinach, grilled fish, tofu - with a glass of beer or tea.
Stop 3 - Sake tasting: Three pours side by side, including a Fushimi sake, with your guide explaining polishing ratios, brewing water and how to read a label.
Stop 4 - Yakitori over binchotan: Chicken thigh, skin, liver and gizzard grilled stick by stick over white charcoal at a counter, ordered in Japanese by your guide.
Stop 5 - Seasonal small plates: Whatever the season dictates - chilled tofu in summer, simmered daikon in winter - with your guide on Kyoto's seasonal rules.
Stop 6 - Kamo River walk: A short walk along the riverbank, with the summer noryo-yuka decks if you are here between May and September.
Stop 7 - Warabi mochi or matcha sweet: A last small sweet with green tea to finish.
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local food guide for a small group (maximum 8 guests)
• All food tastings listed in the itinerary
• One sake tasting with three pours and one glass of beer, tea, or soft drink
• All seating charges (otoshi) at the venues we visit
• All taxes and service charges
• All food tastings listed in the itinerary
• One sake tasting with three pours and one glass of beer, tea, or soft drink
• All seating charges (otoshi) at the venues we visit
• All taxes and service charges
Tour price excludes
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Additional drinks beyond those included
• Personal travel insurance
• Tips (tipping is not customary in Japan)
• Additional drinks beyond those included
• Personal travel insurance
• Tips (tipping is not customary in Japan)
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable, as counter seats have been reserved in your name at venues with fewer than ten seats.
Other notes
Departs daily at 18:00.
The minimum age is 20, the legal drinking age in Japan, because this tour includes sake tasting and bar visits. We can arrange a private family version without alcohol—please ask us.
Maximum 8 guests, and honestly: the counters in Pontocho have only eight to twelve seats in total.
Photography: Pontocho is an active geisha district. Photographing geiko or maiko without permission is prohibited and may incur a fine on nearby Hanamikoji Street. The guide will tell you exactly where you may and may not take photos.
Dietary requirements: please let us know at least 48 hours in advance. Vegetarian options are quite difficult in a yakitori and dashi setting, but the obanzai route for pescatarians or one focused on vegetables works very well—please let us know when booking.
Entirely on foot, approximately 1.5 km along flat streets.
The minimum age is 20, the legal drinking age in Japan, because this tour includes sake tasting and bar visits. We can arrange a private family version without alcohol—please ask us.
Maximum 8 guests, and honestly: the counters in Pontocho have only eight to twelve seats in total.
Photography: Pontocho is an active geisha district. Photographing geiko or maiko without permission is prohibited and may incur a fine on nearby Hanamikoji Street. The guide will tell you exactly where you may and may not take photos.
Dietary requirements: please let us know at least 48 hours in advance. Vegetarian options are quite difficult in a yakitori and dashi setting, but the obanzai route for pescatarians or one focused on vegetables works very well—please let us know when booking.
Entirely on foot, approximately 1.5 km along flat streets.
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $99 |
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