Satisfy Your Thirst Like a Local

Enjoy a bar-hopping tour in Yamagata

A few short hours north of Tokyo lies Yamagata Prefecture, where rivers flowing from the mountains provide the clear water necessary to produce high-quality local sake. If you have ever wanted to sample some sake in an authentic, local Japanese drinking establishment, here is your chance. 

This guided tour introduces three locations, including a lively cocktail lounge, charming traditional Japanese bar, and a local izakaya (Japanese-style pub). Imbibe a variety of drinks and enjoy delicacies that change with the seasons, from locally produced sake and whiskey highballs to cocktails made by hand, accompanied by a carefully chosen menu showcasing the fresh produce, seafood, and meat of Yamagata. 

Arrive at Yamagata Station at about 6 p.m. for a three-hour pub crawl, stopping for about an hour in each location. Your English-speaking guide will let you in on what you need to know to eat and drink like a seasoned pro at these authentic establishments, where the guide will order for you and explain what is on the menu. If you have just arrived in town, you can even ask the guide about the best places to visit in Yamagata.

You must be 20 or older to join this tour. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available; dietary restrictions will be accommodated with advance notice, and menu items besides those offered on the set menu may be available at an additional price. All three bars can be accessed on foot, with the first establishment located a 10-minute walk from the station. Inquire at The Hidden Japan for more information and to make your reservations.

Gourmets and sake lovers alike will not want to pass up this unique gastronomical experience, offered in all seasons on a flexible schedule. 
Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (about two hours 30 minutes). 

Downtown Yamagata Bar Hopping (The Hidden Japan)