Western Japan · FOOD & DRINK
The 15 food & drink tours below made the cut from everything we’ve reviewed across the region. Prices, durations and one standout note on each.
Regional food and drink of the Chūgoku region — Hiroshima oysters, Izumo soba, Okayama white peaches, Mihara octopus, and the izakaya quarters of Kurashiki and Matsue. Specific venues, honest reviews, no generic ramen-chain filler.
Explore Hiroshima after dark with okonomiyaki, sake, and two local izakayas on a small-group food tour led by a welcoming local guide.
“Did the Hiroshima Bar hopping tour last night with Kaku. He was brilliant and took us to 3 great venues. Certainly we wouldn't have found these venues. Was great sharing the evening with Kaku - was very personable and fantastic to chat with. Would highly recommend him and the tour. Very good night out”
Taste Hiroshima at three local tachinomi restaurants, with ten or more dishes, three drinks, and an English-speaking guide.
“We went to some true backstreet places we would never have found on our own. Ken was open and friendly. I will warn you. Don’t ask him about baseball!! Food was plentifully and very tasty.”
Walk Saijo’s historic brewery street, taste eight sakes from seven makers, and learn Hiroshima’s sake traditions with an English-speaking guide.
“We had a great time with the brilliant Ione as a guide. Learnt a lot about the Saijo area and the history and brewing techniques for sake. I would recommend this tour over those that visit only a couple of locations, much more complete and more fun!”
Explore Hiroshima after dark with three local food stops, three drinks, and a friendly guide who helps you eat like a local.
“We had a good time on this tour. Alex chose some restaurants we absolutely would never had picked from a guide book or travel website and we had a good array of different tasty foods. Doing the food tour means we sampled three meals worth of different foods but in one meal. Drinks were included too and we were full at the end of the tour. Many thanks.”
Taste Hiroshima okonomiyaki, local sake, and dessert on a small-group evening walk through downtown food streets and Peace Park.
“The advertisement of the tour made it look like we were be a small group but we were the only couple. The tour guide barely spoke English and had even forgotten to book the second stop restaurant. My spouse and I decided to cut it shorRead more”
Taste Saijo sake at seven breweries, learn local brewing traditions, and compare mellow styles with an English-speaking guide near Hiroshima.
“Our guide Gordon was amazing! knowledgeable, personable and dynamic. Everything you want from a guide and more. Gordon not only taught us about the intricacies of Sake but also educated us on local food and the history of the city! a great tour an amazing guide!”
Taste five sake styles at three historic Saijo breweries, with an English guide and a compact 90-minute walking tour from Saijo Station.
“A very concise yet in-depth overview of the sake making process, learning what makes it unique and how more premium styles of sake are made. Our guide was enthusiastic, incredibly knowledgable and a lot of fun to be with. ThougRead more”
Visit three Saijo breweries, taste local sake, tour a working facility, and make a calligraphy sake label in this small-group Hiroshima experience.
“The sake tour I took was a rich experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable about Japan's history and how sake intertwined with it. The sake tour was great got to see the tools used and was explained from the owner about the proceRead more”
Taste Hiroshima sake in Saijo with guide Masa, visiting local breweries, sampling regional styles, and enjoying lunch in a small-group tour.
“Masa was a kind, patient, and affable tour guide who introduced us to some wonderful sake breweries and local favorite restaurants. Highly recommended if you have any interest in how sake is made or want to try a few with a knowledgeable guide and translator (especially the unique Hiroshima brews with their special soft mountain water).”
Explore Hiroshima after dark with guide Levi, three craft beers, local food, and a short Peace Park walk for $78.18.
“A fantastic way to spend a night in Hiroshima. Really takes you off the beaten track to taste some great beers and small bites. The guide Levi is knowledgeable and personable. Well worth it.”
Long-form destination guides to the Chūgoku region of Japan — Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori and Yamaguchi. Every article researched, fact-checked, and illustrated with verified location-specific photographs.
