Introducing Tokyo’s Colourful Nightlife

WeXpats

2022/03/11

A city that never sleeps, Tokyo’s nightlife is another dimension of itself. The usually polite and professional Japanese are relaxed and chatty, uncovering a whole new side to themselves. Enjoying drinks, nibbling on snacks, listening to music, or just enjoying the ambiance; there are many ways to enjoy Tokyo’s nightlife.

Table of Contents

How Important is Tokyo
Some Fun Facts About Tokyo
Nightlife Partying in Tokyo
Takeaway

How Important is Tokyo

Tokyo has many “titles” in Japan - the country’s capital, the most populous city, the largest city, the financial centre, business hub, the centre of modern development, amongst many others. Just from this, it’s quite clear how important the metropolis is to its nation. Not to forget, it was also quite recently the venue for the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020.

Tokyo is also part of the Greater Tokyo Area alongside some neighbouring prefectures. Every year, people from the countryside and abroad move to Tokyo chasing a brighter (and richer) future.

Writer's Pick

Some Fun Facts About Tokyo

Photo Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Tokyo’s symbol is a bright green ginkgo leaf that apparently hides a “T” for Tokyo in its centre

Photo Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Tokyo’s official emblem is a sun with 6 arrow-rays pointing outwards with a dot in its clear centre representing that Tokyo is the heart of Japan
Tokyo was originally named Edo until the year 1868
Tokyo has 9 islands off its shore

Ogasawara Islands, a chain of islands located 1000km away from Tokyo and needing at least 24 hours (clear weather mind you) to reach by ferry is considered part of Tokyo

Nightlife Partying in Tokyo

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps. When the sun goes down, some businesses are just getting started. Think Izakayas, pubs, bars, clubs, karaoke bars, and more. Yes, the trains stop working some time after midnight and many people do rush for the last train (saishuu densha 最終電車 or 終電 shuuden for short), but there are also many who opt to stay out as late as they can and take a taxi home, or some even opt to just drink till the next day at places that stay open till the AM.

Things can get pretty wild, especially at certain “wilder” or so-called seedier areas like Kabukicho. So, if it’s your first time, do go out with some friends to not get overwhelmed. Our WeXpats Team actually had a discussion about Japan’s nightlife: you can check it out on YouTube here.

Now, let’s have a look at the biggest nightlife areas in Tokyo. :

Shibuya

You may have heard of Shibuya Meltdown. After work, especially on Fridays, salary men and women flock to the bars to drink away, resulting in the ensuing “meltdown”, meaning seeing people passed out asleep on the streets and on stations after a night of drinking too much.

But even without going to that extent, Shibuya is a relatively foreigner-friendly area with quite a few places providing English menus. There’s a good mix of both high class expensive drinking lounges, traditional Izakayas, and craft beer taprooms to try.

Miyashita Park Shibuya Yokocho

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 渋谷横丁 (@shibuya_yokocho)

1F of Miyashita Park is made up of a row of food/drinking stalls. Shibuya Yokocho only opens at night when it gets packed with customers gathering to drink and eat. The atmosphere is similar to Taiwanese Night Markets as people talk loudly over each other to be heard. It is a good place to visit if you’re looking to try a variety of alcohol and food, as each stall is from a different region of Japan.

HobGoblin Pubs

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hobgoblin Pubs Japan (@hobgoblinpubsjapan)

HobGoblin is the answer if you’re looking to drink and satisfy your cravings for British food. Their fish & chips is the most authentic (so far) you can find in Shibuya. Expect to meet many foreign nationals here to taste a bit of home. They have another branch at Roppongi if that’s more convenient for you.

WOMB, Circus Tokyo, Camelot

If it’s clubbing you are looking for, any one of these will offer you a wonderful experience. Live shows, catchy music, and spacious dance floors, these are the hottest clubs in Shibuya.

Shinjuku

The largest red light district Kabukicho can be found here, which probably gives you an idea about what Shinjuku’s nightlife is like. Host/hostess clubs, soaplands, love hotels, and adult service facilities can be found here. Of course, there are typical clubs and bars to be found here too.

For more about Shinjuku’s nightlife:

Entertainment and Nightlife in Shinjuku

Roppongi

The most foreigner-friendly area out of these 4 big nightlife districts. If you’re not feeling too confident about your Japanese, give Roppongi a try. On the flip side of the coin, because of the large number of non-local visitors, Roppongi has been gaining a reputation for becoming more and more seedy, and in dangerous ways. Definitely do not visit alone and do not leave your drinks unattended. Oh, and also be careful to not get ripped off.

Mogambo

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mogambo Tokyo | Roppongi Bar (@mogambotokyo)

Mostly visited by foreigners, with the occasional Japanese hoping to make friends, Mogambo is a wonderful bar with a friendly vibe. They also hold regular “international exchange” parties to meet new people from all over the world.

My Scotch

Highly recommended for whiskey lovers. Established in 1980, this piano bar has a great environment with relaxing chill vibes. Live piano playing accompanies you whilst you sip on one of their 100 types of whiskey. Their website shows the piano schedule. When a popular pianist plays, the bar fills up with customers so make sure to reserve a table in advance!

Ginza

Expect to break the bank as the nightlife facilities here are targeted towards the wealthier Japanese. The upside? You’ll feel like a socialite.

Star Bar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by スタアバー (@star__bar)

A legendary bar that trained many famous bartenders as well as created many new cocktail concoctions, Star Bar Ginza is a bar that has reached a new level. The standard cover charge for 1,000 yen aside, a cocktail is priced from 1,500~. Ice used in the bar is handcarved from a huge ice block.