JAM JAR EXPERIENCES
AN INSIDER’S FOOD TOUR OF KYOTO
Duration
3 hours
Tour type
Food tour
Group size
Minumum x 2 / Maximum x 5 guests.
Location
Kyoto
¥9,500 per/person
Price is inclusive of all taxes & service charges. No more to pay!
Relax, have fun and experience some of Kyoto’s culinary delights on this 3-hour food tour led by your very own English speaking guide.
Too often we hear from our guests just how intimidating and time consuming it is to navigate your way in and around the numerous bars and restaurants in order to eat, drink and mingle with the Kyoto locals.
Being Kyoto residents, and local guesthouse/café owners, it became apparent that a majority of our guests were missing their expected culinary experience in Kyoto, simply because they were unable to read the menu, or communicate easily with the service staff. This became a major concern of ours, and as a result we would often accompany our guests to ensure they missed nothing on their special night out. Just eating and drinking with the locals can easily make the difference between a great holiday, or an unforgettable experience.
DANNY MATHESON & KAZUO IKEDA
(Owner/Operators – Jam Jar Lounge & Inn)
HIGHLIGHTS
- English speaking guide
- Small Group (Max 5)
- Sake tasting & explanation in English
- Dinner at local "Izakaya" (Japanese Pub)
- Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks w/ Dinner
- Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks w/ Dinner
- Unlimited Food - "Izakaya" style Dinner
SUITABLE FOR
Guests with an adventurous palate who enjoy relaxed company, traditional Japanese cooking and good conversation. Not to mention free flowing beer, wine or sake.
WHAT WE WILL DO
After meeting at our designated point in central Kyoto, we will make our way to a popular local sake bar where we will try 4 different styles of the national drink.
Now that we’ve relaxed and know each other a little better, we will take a short walk to our Japanese “Izakaya” for a feast. Traditional “Izakaya” are Japans equivalent of a western style pub, a place where you can unwind after work, catch up with colleagues, eat, drink and make new friends.
During our “experience” there is no limit to how much or how little you can eat or drink! Just have an open mind, an adventurous palate & a ferocious appetite. From edamame beans to the freshest sashimi, from silken tofu to expertly char- grilled yakatori, this is where food, drinks & conversation flow freely.
“Sit back, relax, and let us take the hard work out of what will surely be an unforgettable Japanese culinary experience. After all ……… you’re on holiday”………Enjoy!
INCLUSIONS
- 3 Hour Food/Drink Tour
- English speaking guide
- Private group (Max 5 plus guide)
- Sake Tasting (4 x tasting glasses)
- Full “Izakaya” Dinner
- Unlimited Alchoholic beverages during dinner
- Unlimited Non-Alchoholic beverages during dinner
NOT INCLUDED
- Souvenirs and items of a personal nature
- Additional food & beverages not outlined above
- Transportation to/from the meeting point
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
As the legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years of age, travellers under 20 are not permitted to join this tour. A moderate amount of walking will be involved. Please ensure you have comfortable shoes, easily removed for sitting on tatami if necessary.
Vegetarian options are available but should be advised upon booking. Any existing dietary requirements and/or food allergies must be advised when making your booking. In Japan, it is not common for people to have or voice special dietary needs. This means that, in general, restaurants have a limited understanding of what – for example – eating gluten free or vegan entails. Although we will do our best, there may be times when we cannot accommodate the needs of some guests. If this is the case, we will be sure to advise individuals when receiving your booking request.
Smoking in venues where food is served is permitted in most local Japanese restaurants & bars. Kyoto is no exception, and although we will do our upmost to lessen our guests exposure to cigarette smoke, it cannot be guaranteed.
TOUR STARTING POINT
Entrance to “The Laque Building” (Corner of Shijo-dori & Karasuma-dori)
*** Jam Jar Lounges “in-house” guests will have the option of accompanying our guide from your accommodation.
TOUR ENDING POINT
Entrance to “The Laque Building” (Corner of Shijo-dori & Karasuma-dori)
*** Your guide will be only too happy to recommend further establishments in the area for your enjoyment, or assist you with your onward journey.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
- Tours must be paid in full prior to the commencement date
- Minimum x 2 / Maximum x 6 guests
- PLEASE NOTE - Solo travellers are welcome to contact us directly via our website to check single availability or make a booking.
- Cancellation fees will apply
- Minumum age is 20 years old due to strict liscencing laws in Japan
CANCELLATIONS
- Cancellations recieved up to 7 x days in advance of the scheduled departure date, will incurr no cancellation fee - (Fully refundable).
- Cancellations recieved between 3 and 6 days of the scheduled departure date, will incurr a 50% cancellation fee.
- Cancellations recieved within 2 days of the scheduled departure date, will incurr a 100% cancellation fee - (Non-refundable)
- In some rare cases, the tour may be cancelled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that the tour is cancelled by us, you may choose between a rescheduling of the tour, a full refund of all monies paid OR a credit towards an alternative tour. If you choose to accept a credit, the difference in the cost of the alternative tour will be refunded or paid by you as applicable.
AN INSIDER’S FOOD TOUR OF KYOTO
Duration
3 hours
Tour type
Food tour
Group size
Minumum x 2 / Maximum x 5 guests.
Location
Kyoto
¥9,500 per/person
Price is inclusive of all taxes & service charges. No more to pay!
- You can only buy one item at a time.
Susannah –
Fantastic night with a very relaxed crew.
Would highly recommend doing this on your first night / early in your Kyoto stay so you can lap up the knowledge from the Aussie local and get great direction on where to go, what to do, what to avoid. Other than that, it was just like going out to dinner with friends! Fantastic night. Highly recommend it.
Jo –
One of my most favourite days in Kyoto.
It was a culinary delight. Going to delicious local izakaya’s and having a truly local experience. Danny and JamJar tours is the way to do it. He took us to places we would never have found. The food was second to none. I cannot recommend this enough. Oh and of course the sake was delightful! Thank you Danny for this experience and everything else you did for us in Kyoto.
Elizabeth –
Brilliant for first timers to Japan, had a blast with our very knowledgeable host, knew all the best sneaky spots for an authentic Japan experience.
Food was amazing (even for a fuss pot who isn’t super adventurous). Also in our group was a person with very specific dietary needs (we all know one!). These we no trouble for our guide, who made sure everyone was taken care of. Absolutely worth it for anyone having even just a stop over in Kyoto (though I don’t know why you would, the place is AH-MAY-ZING).
Would give it 6 stars if I could, we had such a lovely night. Will definitely leave a bit more time and try the Geisha experience on our next visit.
Kate coed –
Our large group of 9 with people ranging from 79 to 12 had the most wonderful tour with Jamjar tours .
Danny took our group out of Kyoto to amazing gardens , temples and monasteries. It was so good to be guided by people not only that had so much cultural knowledge but also a good sense of humour and fun, a sense of generosity and a good knowledge of great food and where to get it . We all agreed it was the best tour we had ever been on and finishing at his wonderful guest house with a coffee was the perfect end to a perfectly run and smooth sailing day . ( unusual for out mottley crew !). Could not recommend them more highly .
Melissa Gibbs –
Very vegetarian friendly
My choice to eat plant based foods only is not always easy in Japan, Kyoto included. My host Danny was able to traverse the myriad of ramen’s, don burrie curries and seemingly innocent pancakes,Okonomiyaki; easily with his wealth of knowledge, sunny disposition and incredible of Japanese. This is a tour not to miss.