expedia
Skip to main content
A train on tracks with a city skyline in the background. 1
Two people standing in a narrow alleyway with shops and red lanterns. 2
A variety of sushi on a wooden board, including nigiri and sashimi, with a chef in the background. 3
A chef preparing sushi with various types of fish on a wooden board. 4
A person holding a glass of beer at a tap in a bar. 5

Chuo Line Food & Bars by Train from Shinjuku with Ex-JR Conductor

By Samurai Guide Sho
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is €88 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

After guiding passengers for 22 years as a conductor on the JR Chuo Line, Samurai Guide Sho weaves the train journey, areas along the line, local dishes, and drinks at area bars into one private evening tour.

Step off the train and enter the after-dark world of people who live there, a side of Tokyo most visitors rarely see.

Tonight, you are the “passenger.”

Travel comfortably from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station aboard the JR Chuo Line Green Car (premium seating) and head into areas where Tokyo locals spend their evenings.

When the train doors open, everyday Tokyo comes alive.

This is more than a food-and-bar crawl.

Travel between areas by train like a Tokyo local, enjoying local dishes and a casual drink along the way.

Following the flow of the evening, visit several carefully selected spots and enjoy the distinct atmosphere, dishes, and drinks of each place.

What opens up before you is a Tokyo night shaped not for tourists, but by everyday life.

Activity location

  • Tokyo Central Railway Station
    • 1-9-1,
    • 100-0005, Marunouchi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Suica Penguin Park
    • 24
    • 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private tour
  • What's includedWhat's included
    About 10 recommended food items per person across 2–3 selected local spots along the JR Chuo Line.
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Former JR East professional (23 yrs): support with complex stations, tickets, Suica, and transfers.
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Pre-tour email consultation is available. We can adjust the tour to your food and drink preferences.
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Former JR Chuo Line train conductor (22 yrs): Green Car guidance and support during disruptions.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Drinks/alcohol: about JPY 1,000 per drink. Credit cards accepted.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    One-way fare + Green Car (Card-type Suica recommended; pay at JR gates; former JR staff assists.)

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour is independently operated and is not affiliated with JR East. Samurai Guide Sho’s railway background is part of his personal storey and guiding style.
  • For transport on the day, we recommend charging about ¥2,000 per person on your Suica or PASMO card. You can also use it for your return trip.
  • Please bring a physical Suica or PASMO card for a smoother Green Car experience. If you are not sure how to charge it, please bring cash on the day and I will help you.
  • This experience is ideal for travellers who enjoy small groups and conversation, want to explore food and drink pairings, and would like to step into a local Tokyo night by train, away from the usual tourist areas. With a former JR Chuo Line conductor, you will explore the bars, food, and evening atmosphere along the Chuo Line in a more personal and local way.
  • On the standard itinerary, each guest enjoys about 10 food items in total across 2–3 selected local spots. Venues and dishes may vary depending on opening hours and availability. The tour includes a generous amount of food, so please come hungry.
  • Please inform us in advance of any allergies or dietary restrictions.
  • Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and similar dietary requests cannot be accommodated.
  • The Chuo Line night can be flexible. Depending on crowd conditions and other factors, the stops or route may be adjusted.
  • As this tour takes place on city streets at night, every reasonable effort will be made to ensure safety. Guests are also asked to take responsibility for their own health and personal belongings. The tour may be terminated in case of disruptive behaviour.
  • The Green Car has seat tables, drink holders, power outlets, a bathroom, and trash bins, so you can enjoy your own snacks or drinks on board, and it is also convenient for charging your phone or other devices.
  • You can share your preferences in advance by email, such as the type of places you would like to visit, the food you want to try, and your drink preferences.
  • Your guide, who watched the JR Chuo Line from the train for 22 years, will consider your preferences and combine carefully selected spots as closely as possible.
  • Please let me know if you are interested in sushi, izakaya, craft beer, quieter places, places with a more local atmosphere, or a well-known retro drinking alley loved by locals.
  • However, the actual stops may vary depending on crowd conditions, venue availability, reservation availability, group size, and the pace of the evening.
  • Specific venues or categories cannot be guaranteed.
  • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
  • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Tokyo Central Railway Station

  • 10m
Departure from Tokyo Station is also available. This meeting point is convenient for travellers staying near Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, Otemachi, Nihonbashi, Ginza, and other major central Tokyo areas. There is no need to travel to Shinjuku before the tour. Meet Sho at Tokyo Station and board the JR Chuo Line Green Car together. Guided by a former Chuo Line conductor, leave tourist Tokyo behind and travel towards the local nightlife of western Tokyo.

Shinjuku Southern Terrace

  • 5m
The tour begins at JR Shinjuku Station. Samurai Guide Sho, a former JR Chuo Line conductor who worked on trains for about 22 years until March 31, 2026, will guide you smoothly through the complex station and assist with purchasing Green Car tickets. The journey begins before you even arrive at the first bar. You will board the JR Chuo Line Green Car (premium seating) and travel west along the JR Chuo Line. The evening train ride itself is an important part of the experience. As the scenery gradually changes outside the window, the journey builds anticipation for the Chuo Line night ahead.

Hamonika Yokocho Kichijoji

  • 40m
1st Stop: Chuo Line Drinking Alley The Chuo Line night begins in a retro drinking alley. In this narrow maze of small places, you will enjoy local-style food and a drink while stepping into a side of Tokyo that feels different from the usual sightseeing areas. This is a private tour for up to 6 guests. Depending on the group size, crowd conditions, and venue availability that evening, Samurai Guide Sho carefully selects the best places for the day. The tour is guided in a way that lets you enjoy the Chuo Line night naturally.

Kichijoji

  • 40m
2nd Stop: Another Side of the Area Rather than staying in one place, the tour continues through the area. Depending on the night, Samurai Guide Sho may combine craft beer, sushi, small local drinking spots, or other selected places along the JR Chuo Line. As each stop changes, the food, drinks, atmosphere, and mood of the area also change little by little.

Hamonika Yokocho Kichijoji

  • 40m
3rd Stop: Final Drink or Sushi Depending on the flow of the night, there may be a third stop. The evening may end with sushi, a final drink, or another small stop that suits the mood of the night. Rather than simply moving from bar to bar, the focus is on taking your time and enjoying the Chuo Line night until the end.

Kichijōji Station

  • 5m
End of the Tour After experiencing the Chuo Line night, the tour ends at the nearest station. If needed, Samurai Guide Sho will help you find the right train platform or route back towards Shinjuku, Shibuya, or other areas. Rather than simply visiting sightseeing spots, you leave with the feeling of having stepped a little closer to how people in Tokyo spend their nights.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Tokyo Central Railway Station
    • 1-9-1,
    • 100-0005, Marunouchi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Suica Penguin Park
    • 24
    • 151-0051, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Tokyo Station
    • 1 Chome
    • 100-0005, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Marunouchi your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Marunouchi

With so many things to do in Marunouchi, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Marunouchi. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Marunouchi to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.