CityBuddy
Shinjuku Ni-chome
Beste tijd om te bezoeken
Go after 10 PM when the district fully wakes up. Friday and Saturday nights have the liveliest energy, with crowds spilling onto the narrow streets.
Budgettips
Most bars charge a cover fee of 500-1,500 yen that usually includes a small snack. Stick with one or two bars for the night instead of bar-hopping to save on those entry fees.
Aanbevolen voor
Nightlife explorers, LGBTQ+ travelers and allies, Anyone who loves dive bars with character, Open-minded solo travelers
Plan je bezoek
3-4 hours
Over
Korte feiten: With over 300 bars, clubs, and small restaurants packed into just a few blocks, this tiny district has one of the highest concentrations of LGBTQ+ venues anywhere in the world. More than 30 percent of the bars here are tiny operations seating fewer than 10 people, making every night feel like a private party.
Hoogtepunten: Many of the bars are run by retired drag queens who have been pouring drinks in the same 10-seat counter since the 1980s, and they remember every regular by name. You can walk into a four-seat basement bar at midnight and find a 70-year-old former cabaret star singing Edith Piaf while mixing your highball.
Insidertips
- Some bars are members-only or 'Japanese only' in practice; look for rainbow flags or friendly signs in English posted outside to find welcoming spots.
- The tiny three-seat bars are the real experience, bring a conversational opener or sit at the counter and let the bartender start the chat.
- Skip the large club-style venues unless you want a cover charge over 2,000 yen; the magic is in the cramped second-floor bars with 5 seats.
- Bring cash, most places don't take cards and ATMs in the district can be hard to find late at night.
Where to Stay in Shinjuku
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