Arrive in Kofu, the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture, a city known for its local sake, wine culture, and neighborhood izakayas that draw regulars rather than tourists. Meet your guide at the starting point and get an immediate sense of how the city’s drinking scene is woven into its everyday life.

Begin your evening in one of Kofu’s established bar districts, where narrow streets and closely packed establishments set the tone for the night ahead. From the first stop, move through a progression of three venues across different drinking areas within walking distance of each other.

At each bar, order from the menu, settle in, and engage with the atmosphere at your own pace before moving on with your guide. The route takes you through contrasting pockets of Kofu’s nightlife — from lively alley-side spots to quieter local bars — giving you a layered look at how the city drinks.

By the final stop, sit down at three distinct Kofu bars, order across different menus, and navigate the city’s drinking neighborhoods with a guide who knows the area. Leave with a grounded sense of where locals actually go after dark in Yamanashi, and a route you can return to and explore further on your own.