the 2nd Highest Ratio of Izakaya per Capita in Japan
Ina City, the northern capital of the Ina Valley, is a picturesque mountain town known for its incredible views of the Japanese Alps and its friendly locals. It also has another, rather lofty claim to fame: Ina City is said to have the 2nd highest ratio of drinking spots to people in the whole country just after the megacity of Osaka. While the origins of this claim are old and remain somewhat murky, one thing cannot be denied: for a rural town, Ina City is absolutely bursting with an incredible number of tiny, deep, character-filled drinking holes, run by some of the friendliest hosts you could ever wish for.
On this uniquely local izakaya crawl, your guide will take you out on the town in Ina City. You will visit a total of three different stores, most of which are intimidating to enter from the outside, but once you do you’ll feel right at home! Up to two drinks per izakaya and a limited amount of food is included in the price. One of the most interesting aspects of the tour is the unique, sometimes exotic, local food and drink that you may encounter in Ina City. Here are a few examples: zazamushi (river insects), otaguri (stewed horse intestine), and romen (Ina City’s unique noodle dish served with mutton). Don’t worry! We won’t order something that you don’t want to eat. These dishes simply demonstrate the uniqueness of this isolated mountain valley and provide an opportunity for your guide to tell you the stories that bring the Ina Valley to life. Oh, and don’t forget to try the local sake!
*Under the regulations of Japan’s “Revised Health Promotion Law”, some of the izakayas featured in this tour are not subject to an indoor smoking ban. Please only join this tour if you are okay with those around you smoking indoors.
Culture/Activity
・This izakaya crawl stops at three stores in Ina City. Your local guide will select spots that are deep and difficult to enter, each with a different unique character and host.
・Get to know the owners working at the bar and the regulars with whom you will share a drink.
・Dishes are left to the izakaya to decide. Enjoy the small dishes, local specialties, and seasonal ingredients.
18,000JPY~ for 4~6ppl
15,000JPY~ for 7~8ppl
(Please contact us re.requests for 1 to 2 persons.)
Heartland Japan
17:00/20:00
(The time can be arranged according to your request. The activity duration is approx. 180 min, depending on the total number of participants)
Between 17:00 ~ 20:00 (Your itinerary can be arranged according to your request.)
Ina-shi Station (On JR Iida Line)
Ina-shi Station (On JR Iida Line)
[Parking: Available]
(Free for the first hour. After that, 100 JPY per hour / per standard passenger car)
(Driving in Japan with even a trace of alcohol in the bloodstream is strictly prohibited by law.
Please inquire about accommodation (not included in the price.)
Year-round
20 yrs and above
30 days prior
Minimum 4 Maximum 8
(Please contact us re. requests for more than 13 persons.)
A limited amount of food and drink in each izakaya is included in the price. If you wish to place an additional order you will be required to pay for it, so please bring cash.
1
A small amount of flat city walking in Ina City.
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No skills are necessary but a brave heart and adventurous spirit will take you a long way!
English-speaking guide fee, food & drink (up to 2 drinks per izakaya and several small dishes from each store’s omakase menu are included). For additional orders, the customer will pay in cash.
Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the participants)
Customers purchasing a day tour from us on the same day in the Ina Valley may receive a special discount on the price of this product. Please contact us for details.
[Cancellation at customer’s convenience]
-8 to 20 days prior 20%
-2 to 7 days prior 30%
-Day before 40%
-Same day/No show 100%
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
-In the case of stormy or freezing weather, departure cancelation will be determined the day before
and contact will be made only if the tour is canceled. In the case that the activity is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, no cancellation fee is required.
-In the case of light rain, the tour will go ahead with waterproof gear.
-After the tour begins, depending on the weather, we may have to change the route or cancel the tour. In this case, no refund will be given.
-If the tour cannot continue after it has started due to bad weather, no refunds will be given.