New Discoveries - I've been to Japan several times now, and to be honest, I've had my fill of the usual tourist hotspots – places like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and the like. This time around, I wanted to do something different – to get a glimpse of everyday life in Japan and experience things more like the locals do. Especially when it comes to food – I was really after something authentic! I chose this tour because it was conveniently located near Shinagawa, where I was staying, and the drinks were included – always a bonus. But what really drew me in was the focus on local izakayas. There weren’t any reviews at the time, so it took a bit of a leap of faith to sign up, which is why I wanted to leave one myself. We visited two izakayas on the tour, both of which had fantastic food and a great atmosphere. I’ve forgotten the exact names, but I tried dishes I’d never had before – things like duck loin and some creative tofu-based meat dishes – and they were absolutely delicious. We also did a tasting of different Japanese beer brands, and of course, some sake as well. There’s no way I’d have found – or even felt comfortable entering – these kinds of places on my own. I wouldn't have been able to read the menus, let alone know what to order. So this tour made that possible. At first, our guide came across as quite serious – the quiet, no-nonsense type – which made me a little nervous. But once we got talking, he turned out to be really friendly and easy to chat with. We ended up having some great conversations, including some interesting insights into how Tokyo is viewed by locals and what school life is like in Japan. I think going to an izakaya is really about who you’re with – having someone to chat to makes a big difference. Anyway, I’ve gone on a bit here, but to sum up: this tour reminded me that there’s so much more to Japan than the standard tourist fare. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to discover the more authentic, everyday side of Japanese life. Highly recommended!