Travel Kabukichō, Tokyo

[Belkov]

As I had mentioned in previous topics, I am thinking about visiting Japan. Most likely than not, I probably will be staying in Tokyo. I am at the stage now of thinking what I'm actually going to be doing over there if I do go.

The places that sounds good to me for nightlife is Omoide Yokochō and the wee bars in Golden Gai. I believe Golden Gai is in or near Kabukichō. From what I've read it is a red light district but I also get the vibe of what is termed the 'tourist strip' of South European countries where all the bars and clubs for tourists are situated.

I'm not interested in the sordid part of Kabukichō but outside of the sex trade establishments and dodgy bars whose sole intention is to fleece you big time, are there are any decent bars/clubs in that district?

 

[mdchachi]

As I had mentioned in previous topics, I am thinking about visiting Japan. Most likely than not, I probably will be staying in Tokyo. I am at the stage now of thinking what I'm actually going to be doing over there if I do go.

The places that sounds good to me for nightlife is Omoide Yokochō and the wee bars in Golden Gai. I believe Golden Gai is in or near Kabukichō. From what I've read it is a red light district but I also get the vibe of what is termed the 'tourist strip' of South European countries where all the bars and clubs for tourists are situated.

I'm not interested in the sordid part of Kabukichō but outside of the sex trade establishments and dodgy bars whose sole intention is to fleece you big time, are there are any decent bars/clubs in that district?

There are bars and clubs all over the place -- in that area, the surrounding area of Shinjuku station and all over Tokyo.
You can't go wrong with Deathmatch in Hell. All drinks are 666 yen. And the perfect vibe. (Depending on what you're looking for.)

 

[Belkov]

There are bars and clubs all over the place -- in that area, the surrounding area of Shinjuku station and all over Tokyo.
You can't go wrong with Deathmatch in Hell. All drinks are 666 yen. And the perfect vibe. (Depending on what you're looking for.)

Thanks mdchachi.

Deathmatch in hell sounds good and the kind of place I would like to go to.

As to Kabukichō, I had likened it to the tourist strips in southern European holiday resort. I never go anywhere near them when I had went to holiday in Europe simply because it is likely to have trouble in them. As garish as Kabukichō looks from what I saw, I like the Blade Runner/neon-noir vibe to it and I think it would be cool to sit in a few bars in that area to soak up the atmosphere.

Anyway, if I do go to Japan, I am not going to spend much time in the bars and clubs there. It's going to take a lot to organise the trip and given the travel time, I want to actually remember being over there and doing things rather than the sore heads in the morning

 

[mdchachi]

Thanks mdchachi.

Deathmatch in hell sounds good and the kind of place I would like to go to.

As to Kabukichō, I had likened it to the tourist strips in southern European holiday resort. I never go anywhere near them when I had went to holiday in Europe simply because it is likely to have trouble in them. As garish as Kabukichō looks from what I saw, I like the Blade Runner/neon-noir vibe to it and I think it would be cool to sit in a few bars in that area to soak up the atmosphere.

Anyway, if I do go to Japan, I am not going to spend much time in the bars and clubs there. It's going to take a lot to organise the trip and given the travel time, I want to actually remember being over there and doing things rather than the sore heads in the morning

I definitely recommend visiting Shinjuku and even visiting a bar or two. It's not really a tourist strip like you might be thinking since the majority of people out and about in that area are Japanese. In general I'd recommend figuring out where you want to go in advance rather than randomly entering places. They won't necessarily try to take advantage of you but some places are crazy expensive in general. And some places won't let you in if you can't speak the language.

 

[Belkov]

I definitely recommend visiting Shinjuku and even visiting a bar or two. It's not really a tourist strip like you might be thinking since the majority of people out and about in that area are Japanese. In general I'd recommend figuring out where you want to go in advance rather than randomly entering places. They won't necessarily try to take advantage of you but some places are crazy expensive in general. And some places won't let you in if you can't speak the language.

Using the analogy of a tourist strip is not good as a comparison. The impression I get is that Kabukichō is part of Tokyo's entertainment district, albeit with a bit of seediness. Both though contain highly commercialised entertainment venues with innovative ways of enticing patrons to part with their cash as well as lots of touts on the streets trying to entice people into them.

It's not my scene but would like to visit a few bars just for the experience. However, as you say being a tourist, there are a lot of places that are crazy expensive and others that are only open to the locals.

It sounds good to have a walk through but taking away from the exciting facade of the district, it won't be any different from what is back home. Why travel thousands of miles for that?

I'm more into quirky and cheesy, nostalgic bars and as you say wait until I actually get there to find places like that.

 

[mdchachi]

Using the analogy of a tourist strip is not good as a comparison. The impression I get is that Kabukichō is part of Tokyo's entertainment district, albeit with a bit of seediness. Both though contain highly commercialised entertainment venues with innovative ways of enticing patrons to part with their cash as well as lots of touts on the streets trying to entice people into them.

It's not my scene but would like to visit a few bars just for the experience. However, as you say being a tourist, there are a lot of places that are crazy expensive and others that are only open to the locals.

It sounds good to have a walk through but taking away from the exciting facade of the district, it won't be any different from what is back home. Why travel thousands of miles for that?

I'm more into quirky and cheesy, nostalgic bars and as you say wait until I actually get there to find places like that.

Yes, definitely not worth traveling thousands of miles for Kabukicho. But it's worth walking through and taking a look around.
And you could even patronize something there if you find something to your liking.
I'd do a little pre-research and line up a few places you might want to check out. Not just for Kabukicho but Tokyo in general.
Then when you get there play it by ear. Maybe you'll meet people. Maybe they'll introduce you to another place, etc.
I'd definitely be wary about going into places that touts are inviting you into.

 

[Belkov]

Yes, definitely not worth traveling thousands of miles for Kabukicho. But it's worth walking through and taking a look around.
And you could even patronize something there if you find something to your liking.
I'd do a little pre-research and line up a few places you might want to check out. Not just for Kabukicho but Tokyo in general.
Then when you get there play it by ear. Maybe you'll meet people. Maybe they'll introduce you to another place, etc.
I'd definitely be wary about going into places that touts are inviting you into.

You know how it is, was having a few cans of lager on the Friday night and watching some YouTube clips about Japan and Kabukicho popped up. I had heard of it before but I was willing to get another perspective of it from this site. Lets just say the less has enthusiastic endorsement from here has confirmed my earlier perception of it. Its look good to walk through but that's about it.

 

[thomas]

Talking about Kabukicho's "seediness":

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) launched an intensive crackdown on prostitution in July following an increase in the soliciting of customers on streets in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district. Prostitution cases are said to have been on the rise since last autumn, when the coronavirus crisis showed signs of easing, and people have been turning up to observe the area. The MPD also cracked down on prostitution at the end of last year and this spring, but judged that ongoing efforts were necessary to curb the problem.

Tokyo police target street prostitution as cases surge in Kabukicho nightlife district - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) launched an intensive crackdown on prostitution in July following an increase in the soliciting of c

mainichi.jp

 

[Belkov]

Talking about Kabukicho's "seediness":

Tokyo police target street prostitution as cases surge in Kabukicho nightlife district - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) launched an intensive crackdown on prostitution in July following an increase in the soliciting of c

mainichi.jp

Thanks for posting this thomas.

The place sounds dodgy and while I can see the attraction for younger, risk taking tourists who like cheap thrills but for me, it isn't worth the hassle. Maybe it is just the paranoia but it sounds to me if you are there at the wrong time, some, police officer who shall we say eager for an easy bust to go towards their promotion feels your collar on the assumption that as you are a foreigner and in that area then you are there to solicit. Given what I have heard of the Japanese justice system, you don't want to put yourself in that situation.

 

[mdchachi]

Thanks for posting this thomas.

The place sounds dodgy and while I can see the attraction for younger, risk taking tourists who like cheap thrills but for me, it isn't worth the hassle. Maybe it is just the paranoia but it sounds to me if you are there at the wrong time, some, police officer who shall we say eager for an easy bust to go towards their promotion feels your collar on the assumption that as you are a foreigner and in that area then you are there to solicit. Given what I have heard of the Japanese justice system, you don't want to put yourself in that situation.

You can absolutely walk through there to check out the vibe and even go to normal bars or restaurants or the famous golden-gai that you see in all the Youtube videos. That area is maybe more integrated with normal life than you might expect given its reputation as being the "red light" district.