A short walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, Kabukicho - the town that never sleeps - is your gateway to the weird and wonderful side of Japan’s nightlife.
Kabukicho - image © Florentyna Leow
Though Japanese locals often think of it as dodgy and dangerous, as far as entertainment and red light districts go, Kabukicho is much tamer than its counterparts in other cities worldwide. What red light district has Godzilla as its ambassador, anyway?
Kabukicho - image © Florentyna Leow
There are indeed host and hostess clubs, as well as seedy-looking massage parlors and love hotels dotting the back streets. But there are also pachinko parlors, super fun dive bars at the historic Golden Gai area, and awesome restaurants in the neighborhood, so that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the area. That being said, there are enough hustlers and touts in the late evenings around the girls bars to warrant a little caution, especially if you’re a male tourist. Just keep your wits about you. Hot tip: if you’re travelling with large groups to Kabukicho, a fiery Sichuanese communal hotpot at Hai Di Lao will hit all the right spots.
Additionally, Kabukicho is also home to the (in)famous Robot Restaurant. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but those looking for high-intensity “Weird Japan” should watch the show. Come for the bright flashing lights and colorful characters; stay for the late night ramen joints and drinks in Golden Gai.
English name:
Kabukicho (nightlife district/red light district)
Japanese name:
歌舞伎町
English address:
Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0021
Japanese address:
〒160-0021 新宿区歌舞伎町
Opening hours:
Varies by shop
Admission:
free
Nearest Transport:
Train: 4-minute walk from the east exit of Shinjuku Station.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Kabukicho on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-3-3209-9291
Website:
Official Website (English)
Near To Here:
Kabukicho is located in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. See our complete list of things to do in Shinjuku, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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