Discover the real Tokyo after dark with new bar-hopping tour and drink like a local
Social codes, ‘locals only’ door policies and the language barrier can make the city’s nightlife somewhat intimidating for many foreigners, but a new tour is trying to break down existing barriers over a beer … or two
When it comes to drinking, nobody does it better than the hardworking, hard-partying population of Tokyo. Wander the streets of the city on a weekend and you’ll see locals unwinding in a cosy izakaya (Japanese pub).
It may look fun, but for many foreigners it’s perceived as a world that is difficult to access. Social codes, ‘locals only’ door policies and a language barrier can make the city’s nightlife somewhat intimidating for tourists.
Enter a new, immersive bar-hopping tour from Tokyo-based tourism start-up, Libra. While other Tokyo bar tours on the market tend to take larger groups to foreigner-focused spots, Libra take visitors wanting to experience an authentic Tokyo nightlife experience through the booze-soaked pockets of Tokyo that are usually reserved for locals only.
“We are learning that the way travellers tend to travel is changing, in that they’d rather have a deep local experience than visit touristy places,” says Yasuhiro Suzuki, head of Libra, which offers a number of different Magical Trip tours in Japan. “They are more open-minded about seeing the world.”
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Though it’s less common nowadays, strolling down Golden Gai (one of Tokyo’s biggest bar-hopping districts) tourists will still come across the occasional sign that reads “Japanese only” or “No foreigners”.