shinjuku night walking tour

• Japan unravelled

No products in the basket.

• Tokyo Customized Tour
• All Activities
• Team Building
• Meet The Team
• Search for:

Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl

• Experience Details
• Reviews (42)
• Important Information

No trip to Tokyo is complete without experiencing its rich nightlife. This walking tour throws you deep into the heart of late night Shinjuku, starting off with Kabukicho, Japan’s largest red light district, where you can take in the buzzing atmosphere and vibrant neon lights, followed by the increasingly popular Golden Gai, an area crammed with hundreds of intimate bars that hold only a handful of drinkers. Each bar has its own personality and attracts a different clientele, with some bars focused on tourists, however this unique tour aims to deliver a genuine Japanese experience by giving you the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals in a few carefully selected bars where the friendly owners and regulars personally know me and love socializing with newcomers. We will also visit Piss Alley, but don’t worry, its days as a spot for people to relieve themselves has long gone – instead it houses a series of small shops. Shinjuku at night might seem a little intimidating and confusing to explore on your own, however accompanied with our knowledgeable guide, you will feel at ease, learn some interesting facts, and will be guaranteed to have a night to remember.

*Please bring cash in Japanese Yen as many of the bars do not accept card transactions. *Some of the bars require a cover charge range from 500 to 2000 Japanese Yen, however this does include bar snacks.

Duration: 2 hours from 7pm to 9pm. please ask us for the quote. *If your group is larger than 4 members, then please get in touch with us for the quote. *We are also able to arrange a pickup service with an extra cost. *This tour only includes the guide\’s fee. Table charge, Drinks, and food are NOT included.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Number of people that will attend?

Which areas/sights are you interested in?

How much time do you have?

Any extra information?

We look forward to receiving your inquiries and bookings!

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• A full refund will be provided within 7 days (Japan Standard Time) prior to your booking.
• A 50% refund will be provided within 6-3 days (Japan Standard Time) prior to your booking.
• No refund will be provided if you fail to turn up on the day of the experience or if you cancel within 2 days (Japan Standard Time).

Share your thoughts!

5 out of 5 stars, let us know what you think..., leave a review.

Title  (optional)

Review  *

Enter a URL  (optional)

Choose a file

Save Review

You must be logged in to join the discussion.

Show everything Show all reviews Show helpful positive reviews Show helpful negative reviews Show unanswered questions

What others are saying

Rated 5 out of 5 Satoko is a fantastic guide.

Vanita – 24th July 2018

She took me to areas where I would never be able to find on my own. She is very knowledgeable and personable too. She has provided me a wonderful time and experience I will never forget.

( 0 ) ( 0 ) Watch Unwatch

Something wrong with this post? Thanks for letting us know. If you can point us in the right direction...

This post was...

Flag for removal

Rated 5 out of 5 Highlight of My Trip!

Andrea – 24th May 2018

I was skeptical and worried about my first solo trip so I booked this tour. It was way better than I expected~ great directions & easy meeting point! My guide was incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and accommodating to me. We walked and talked leisurely, did some shoppong at a gag store, and went to the bars.There are hundreds of tiny bars and all have a unique funky themes. I went to the hospital bar~I tend to like weird/edgy concepts~ The drinks are named wierd things but are all very tasty. I had 5!Thru the kindness of my guide,I ended up having a nice chat with some locals and I plan to go back!

Rated 5 out of 5 Excellent tour

Thierry – 18th May 2018

Satoko is an excellent host. She gives a good history of the area and tips to enjoy Kabukicho and Golden Gai. Golden Gai has plenty of interesting bars and Satoko knows the bars and owners very well. A great tour to recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 Golden Gai a Highlight

Erin – 26th April 2018

I’m a confident, independent traveller but going into Golden Gai’s tiny bars was intimidating. I think also I was overwhelmed by choice and nervous about ascending those teeny staircases all by myself. I was desperate to experience Golden Gai and this tour enabled me to do that. Satoko is an entertaining guide who invests in her charges. I throughly enjoyed the quirky facts about the red-light district but Golden Gai ended up being a real highlight. Golden Gai is not cheap so it’s encouraging that Satoko takes you to the really great ones and lets you explore the more famous, foreigner friendly ones for yourself. If you’re debating about going to Golden Gai but reluctant to go alone, this tour solves your problem!

Rated 5 out of 5 Great tour with a local - worth it and recommended

Matt – 8th March 2018

Wonderful tour, Satoku was incredibly patient as I showed up late after difficulty finding the correct station, the tour was a fantastic whirlwind of cool sights, interesting facts about the area, and great to have an insider who could guide me through the area. I dd this on my first night in Tokyo and it was incredibly helpful to have such a great tour day 1 under my belt to better understand the Shinjuku and Tokyo area

Rated 5 out of 5 Good value for the money

Mike Greven – 15th February 2018

My wife, daughter and myself took Satoko’s delightful tour of the Golden-gai one cold and wintry January night. She will introduce you to bars, restaurants and other attractions you would never be able to find on your own unless you spoke and can read Japanese. She pointed out which establishments offered ‘good value’ for a follow up visits and which were tourist traps. She also has good stories to relate.

M from Vancouver

Rated 5 out of 5 Great experience !!

Stephen – 13th November 2017

Very good tour. Period

1. Sakoto speaks good English 2. Informative and gives u a Low down of the places 3. Brings u around, shows you where to eat and where Not to eat 4. Explains to u the signs and meanings around the entertainment district of Shinjuku. 5. Not really strict about the duration of the tour 6. Good recommendation of places to go and eat outside Shinjuku 7. Good knowledge of sake 8. Knows the bar tenders in golden gai , knowledgable on the themes of the pubs 9. Talks like a Friend , not just about the tour 10. Very informative about Japan overall !

Rated 5 out of 5 Unexpectedly Incredible - best kept secret tour

Wendy N – 11th October 2017

Satoko helped me start my vacation off right in Tokyo. The tour boasts quite a few hidden alley gems for trying foods I’ve only ever seen Tony Bourdain partake in. There are skewered hearts, skins, big boobys or so they’re called, eel and puffer if u dare…oh and my favorite are the Octopus balls (though not to be confused with the reproductive organs, it’s just shaped like a ball lol). Novelty shops, bright flashy lights inviting u in almost everywhere to gamble, see robots get jiggy with, sing along with Kpop, drink hard core whiskey, learn about old pre world war 2 tales and establishments that have been around for eternity, even the air was draped in a lust for history and all things fantasy land … The entire time I felt like I was traveling in a parallel universe with a great friend!!! Great introduction to Tokyo’s fettish side as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 A true local experience.

Leila – 24th June 2017

Satoko was incredibly sweet and gave us a thorough run through of Shinjuku and Golden Gai. Our experience ended up being a quite impromptu night with new friends exploring Golden Gai and singing Karaoke!

Thank you Satoko for the memorable evening!

Rated 5 out of 5 Shinjuku Kabukicho Golden Gai tour

Dudley – 29th April 2017

We enjoyed our tour and found it interesting and informative. Will definitely recommend to friends.

Rated 5 out of 5 Awesome tour - one of the best

Marc – 21st February 2017

We did this tour in December, I have to say it was one of the best nights in Tokyo. Satoko knew the area so well and provided a wealth of really good info and tips. The bars were excellent and definitely a unique experience. Great fun.

If you want to see the real bars where the locals go, book this tour !

Thank you for such a memorable and amazing tour… Marc,Henry and Edward x

Rated 5 out of 5 Such a great time with Satoko!

Michelle – 14th January 2017

We had such a great time touring Golden Gai with Satoko! We went to several different bars and got to try some great Japanese food as well. Satoko also gave us plenty of recommendations for restaurants and things to do in other cities as well. Highly recommend this tour.

Rated 5 out of 5 Awesome night in Golden Gai

Tyler – 14th January 2017

Satoke is so much fun. In a town where it is very difficult to get around in as a forefinger, Satoke makes it easy and is a pleasure to be with!

Rated 5 out of 5 Easy going tour guide

Willy – 14th January 2017

Very easy going and has a good eye for the right bars. Highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 Awesome Host

Gabriel – 14th January 2017

One of the best times I had in Tokyo. Definitely recommended it to everyone

Rated 5 out of 5 Was very informative and my host was great!

Sherisse – 14th January 2017

My host Satoko was very nice person. We started off the tour in Shinjuku by the main square. She immediately started giving me facts and tips of places to go. We walked over to Piss Alley where she pointed out her preferred Yakitori places. After that walked through the Red Light district were she pointed out some funny places to me. We had some laughs. Last we hit up the golden gai. She pointed out her favorite bar which was not open that night. By this time me feet were hurting so I offered to buy her a drink and we sat and talked at a bar. We had such a good time together that we actually exchanged info and met another night to hang out socially were she took me to a all Japanese bar in the golden gai that I would have never found on my own. She’s a great host!

Rated 5 out of 5 Great Experience!

Martine – 14th January 2017

My husband and I had a great time with Satoko exploring Golden Gai. We went to three very different (and tiny!) bars and learned a lot about the different areas and the history of the neighborhoods. It was wonderful getting the chance to have drinks with local and meet some other locals in the process. Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 Perfect discovery of Golden Gai

Rémi – 14th January 2017

Satoko is a great guide. We went to Kabuki-cho then to some bars in Golden Gai. I felt welcome in the bars even I don’t speak Japanese. Satoko is a great person and she is very interesting to chat with. It’s a nice discovery of Golden Gai, very recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 This was a big highlight in my trip!

Irving – 14th January 2017

Thank you Satoko for everything!!

She is an interesting, funny and smart person. I enjoyed the tour itself as much as I enjoyed talking and having a drink with her. She knows a lot about the city, and would definitely recommend this tour. Make sure you also check her other tours!

Rated 5 out of 5 Nice and cozy

Brian – 27th September 2016

Went on the road with satoko, she told me alot about the area and we hitted some of her favorite bars and the locals seemed pleased to have me! And also I had the chance to work on my Japanese! Thank you again satoko

Rated 5 out of 5 Great night out!

Chris – 24th August 2016

Great night out! Satoko knowledge was great, got to see and drink in bars first timers would unlikely to find in Golden-gai on their own.

Rated 5 out of 5 Awesome tour & introduction Kabukicho, Memory Lane & Golden Gai

Jo – 12th August 2016

Satoko is an excellent guide providing us with expert knowledge not only about Memory Lane & Golden Gai but about the whole area. She made sure that as a group meeting for the first time, we socialized & made lasting friendships. She introduced us to various bar owners in the area and provided us with interesting information about the bars.

This tour is a must!!

Thank you Satoko!!

Rated 5 out of 5 Had a lovely evening exploring

Megan – 27th July 2016

Had a lovely evening exploring the streets of Kabukicho with Satoko. I especially loved the upstairs local bar in Golden Gai which I would never have experienced on my own. I recommend this tour and thank Satoko for a great night and for suggesting a shochu sour to drink!

Rated 5 out of 5 Fun night

Earlisha – 24th July 2016

Had a great time , ate great food, and met intresting people.

Rated 5 out of 5 Satoko is the best!

Shiloh – 18th July 2016

Golden-gai is quickly becoming a popular destination site for tourists, and it’s not difficult to see why – an absolute labyrinth of bars harking back to Japan’s postwar nightlife. While you could venture into the maze by yourself, having Satoko as a guide was a blessing! We visited two bars; Satoko’s favourite, a bar dedicated to writers and artists (this was my favourite of the two as well), and a cat bar with an incredibly extensive selection of whiskey and four very friendly cats. It was raining very heavily so we stayed and talked for longer than the initial 2 hour tour time, by the end I felt like I had spent the evening with a friend rather than a stranger. Satoko was very gracious (she even gave me advice on other similar bars outside of Tokyo where I would be traveling).

Rated 5 out of 5 A great tour of Golden Gai!

Chris – 15th July 2016

A quick and nice tour of Golden Gai, which would have been hard to accomplish on our own if we just showed up. You end up walking around for a bit, exploring some of the bars and then eventually settling at a bar where the sake pours are really strong!

Rated 5 out of 5 Fun ..... For kids too

Campbell – 23rd June 2016

We just got back to the hotel after a great walk around some parts of Tokyo we never would have found by ourselves. Satoko kindly agreed to start the tour a bit earlier to make it kid friendly. No going into bars for us this time but we will know where to go next time. A great tour with a terrific guide.

Rated 5 out of 5 Great experience of the Golden-gai night life

Jason – 6th May 2016

I had a great experience exploring Golden-Gai with Satoko. She was very knowledgable about this place, and took me to her favorite spots. It was a great time chatting with her and the locals at the bar. I highly recommend this tour for first time visitors.

Rated 5 out of 5 Awesome Night in Golden Gai

Scott – 5th May 2016

It was really fun and interesting night. Satoko was a great guide, gave some interesting insights into Shinjuku and we got to try out some fun little bars in Golden Gai. I would do it all over again the next time I’m in Tokyo.

Rated 5 out of 5 Great Japanese Characters

Dianne – 18th April 2016

Satoko was lovely and friendly. We went to a quirky upstairs bar with great food and a very nice woman owner/ bar person. I was fantastic to hear her story and the history of the bar. The 2 local men that shared the bar were very relaxed and happy to have me sit and listen with Satoko interpreting for me. Thanks Satoko for a great experience and for being so kind and friendly. Sayonara. Di

Rated 5 out of 5 Great experience

Benjamin – 15th April 2016

Satoko san is very knowledgeable and an interesting person. You’l be able to see and understand some of the dark secrets of Shinjuku. She also gave me great food recommendations for Tokyo !! Highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 Interesting tour that was a great way to end the nightt

michael – 23rd March 2016

Satoko Was very knowledgable of the Kabuki-cho and Golden-gai areas, she gave us a lot of the backstory of the area, and showed us many sites i havent seen before, we ended up at a small bar where we met some real characters, we felt so welcomed and this will be something we definately want to revisit next time we come to Tokyo!

Rated 5 out of 5 Had a very interesting time!

Rolv-Håkon – 23rd February 2016

I went to the Shinjuku Golden-gai Tour with Satoko-san and had a very interesting time! I have to say that I really loved the area, even though I wished I knew more Japanese. The next time I will travel there I will surely have improved my Japanese skills. We went to a drag queen’s bar and did some Karaoke while having very interesting conversations! I really love the style of the bars with only room for few people where you go from bar to bar and meet new people all the time. I will return here when I get back to Tokyo!

Rated 5 out of 5

Benny – 14th November 2015

If you’re looking for a fun night out in Golden Gai and Shinjuku then this is the tour for you! Satoko was very nice, knowledgeable and accommodating! Golden Gai is filled with hundreds of tiny, quirky and fun bars. It’s one of a kind. You need to experience it to believe it!

Rated 5 out of 5 You were amazing!

Orlando – 24th October 2015

Thank you for a perfect night. You and your friends were great. Thank you again!

Rated 5 out of 5 Lovely guide

Bert – 15th May 2015

Great tour and neighbourhood. Lovely guide

Rated 5 out of 5 I had a lovely time

Amit – 5th April 2015

I had a lovely time see a lot learn a lot and good drink & food. Satoko was nice and funny and i had an expires that probably wouldn’t do if it wasn’t for her. I know that by myself i probably wouldn’t go or go but see the most tourist places.

Rated 5 out of 5 This was a major highlight of our trip

Brian – 11th November 2014

We went to one of the funnest bars I have ever been to in my life. Without Satoko, we never would have been able to navigate our way through Golden Gai or get served at the bar. This was a major highlight of our trip.

Rated 5 out of 5 All the best!

Ricardo – 15th August 2014

I would like to thank Sakoto for the great experience in Golden Gai. We’ve visit 3 bars (one of the a Portuguese kind-of bar) and had a wonderful time. All the best!

Rated 5 out of 5 Highly recommended!!

Janne – 14th April 2014

We had a great time with Satoko-san on the Shinjuku Golden-gai Night Tour. We went to 2 small bars and ended the tour in a karaoke place. Highly recommended!!

Rated 5 out of 5 It was a great time.

Mari – 5th March 2014

Satako is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about Shinjuku and the Golden Gai area. She showed us several nooks and crannies that only a local would know, all the while keeping up a steady flow of information. We ended up in a few tiny bars that she recommended. It was a great time.

Rated 5 out of 5 The Golden Gai tour was a fantastic tour

Max – 13th February 2014

It is basically visiting local bars in the Golden Gai area. I think it is a memorable experience that everyone should try. At least for me, I was not used to the small bars that Golden Gai area has to offer. You’ll see many local Japanese and get to talk to them. But you won’t find many young people (college students, people in their early/mid 20’s) in bars like these. Still, it was a good experience, and if you do not speak Japanese, signing up for this tour is a good way to go.

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

Email address  *

Continue as a Guest

Email address *

Already have an account? Log In

Don't have an account? Sign Up

• Destinations
• Tours in Tokyo

Shinjuku Night Walking Tour

Overview of the tour in Tokyo

We will walk around the Shinjuku East area, which is a place for nightlife. We will finish the tour at Golden Gai, where you can enjoy drinks, and socialize with other tourists. This tour is around 2 hours and finishes at Golden Gai. We will visit the places below: -Kabuki-Cho -Host/Hostess Club Area -Godzilla Road -Golden Gai -Omoide-Yoko-Cho -Love Hotels

This activity includes:

• Omoide Yokochō
• Shinjuku Golden Gai

Meeting point

Meeting Point: Shinjuku Tourist Information Center. Tour End: Golden Gai. ​

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Late cancellation or your non-arrival is not refundable.

• Join Freetour
• Provider Sign In
• Affiliate Program
• Security & Privacy
• Terms & Legal
• Cookie policy
• Freetour Awards
• Ratings & Reviews powered by

Tokyo Localized News

> news > article.

• Nov 7, 2022

Top 10 Things to Do in Shinjuku at Night

Updated: Feb 6, 2023

Looking for top things to do in Shinjuku at night? When it comes to nightlife in Tokyo, Shinjuku comes to mind first. Whether you are craving authentic Japanese food or looking to spend the night away drinking and laughing, Shinjuku has it all. There are hundreds of things to do in Shinjuku at night, but beware, you don’t really want to overwhelm yourself. Here are the 10 top things to do in Shinjuku at night:

1. Roam around JR Shinjuku Station

As one of the busiest train stations in the world transporting over 3.6 million passengers daily before the pandemic, Shinjuku Station has become a tourist attraction on its own. Now that international tourists are welcome again, foot traffic in and around the station begins to come back to normal. Shinjuku Station has 6 access points. The west exit leads to massive government buildings, while the east exit points to Tokyo’s entertainment and drinking areas. In the south and southwest exits, you will find the paths to the best shopping areas in Tokyo.

2. Drink sake at Omoide-Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho, which translates to ‘memory lane,’ is one of the most photographed places in Tokyo. It goes back to post-war Tokyo where street vendors and black market dealers flock to do business. Also known as ‘piss alley,’ you will find the best sake in Japan here sold in hole-in-the-wall bars. But of course, Omoide-Yokocho is not just for drinkers, it’s also a haven for food crawlers looking for authentic dishes. Going through the very narrow alleys of Omoide-Yokocho is a fun activity in itself.

3. Watch the neon lights in Kabuki-cho

Kabuki-cho boasts the biggest nightlife neighborhood in Tokyo where restaurants, bars, clubs, love hotels, and other NSFW attractions abound. Here you can find the massive Godzilla head statue at the top of the Toho Cinema which has become an icon. As you walk through the streets of Kabuki-cho, you are surrounded by massive neon lights and signages of these establishments, making it a feast for the eye. Walking around the neighborhood in the midst of these neon lights is a worthwhile activity in itself.

4. Drink with locals at Golden Gai

Golden Gai is one of the best things to do in Shinjuku at night. It’s a small area in Kabuki-cho with six narrow alleys, linked with even narrower alleyways in between, housing over 200 bars. Golden Gai is not as busy and flashy as the other parts of Kabuki-cho and Omoide-Yokocho, although it resembles the latter’s vibe—packed with small wooden buildings with over 200 bars. Golden Gai is pretty popular with locals, but foreign tourists are also welcome.

5. See Tokyo 662 feet above the ground

Tokyo’s capital building has observation rooms 662ft above the ground, overlooking the whole city that sparkles so bright at night. You can even see Mt. Fuji from here. You can visit there free of charge. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is located in Nishi Shinjuku, west of Shinjuku Station.

6. Celebrate pride at Nichome

Every month a pride month at Nichome—the biggest LGBTQIA area in Japan where hundreds of small gay-friendly bars and nightclubs are found. Nichome gives off a unique flamboyant vibe that you can’t find anywhere else in Japan. On Naka-dori, you will find bars serving beers and cocktails outdoors. And of course, drag shows are a huge crowd drawer among local and foreign tourists.

7. Chill at Nishi Shinjuku

Nishi Shinjuku is Shinjuku’s business that became a popular dating rendezvous, thanks to Japanese TV dramas. A lot of lover scenes between actors are shot here. Nishi Shinjuku is also home to Tokyo’s most popular public works of art, including Robert Indiana’s Love sculptures and Roy Lichtenstein’s Tokyo Brushstroke I and Tokyo Brushstroke II sculptures.

8. Visit Hanazono Shrine

Hanazono Shrine is Shinjuku’s signature Shinto shrine. It’s in November when the shrine really comes alive as the Tori no Ichi or “rooster market” takes place. Around this time you will find vendors selling elaborately-decorated rakes believed to attract more money. A flea market also happens at the shrine on most Sundays.

9. Shop at Donki

Donki, which is short for Don Quijote, is the largest discount store chain in the country. In Shinjuku, it has become a famous landmark. You can drop by to get pretty much anything under the sun, including basic necessities, souvenirs, designer goods, cosplay costumes, and more.

10. Play games at Tokyo Shooting Gallery

Located next to Golden Gai, Tokyo Shooting Gallery is an interesting amusement facility that takes you back to the Showa era (1926-1989). It looks pretty dated, but it’s a great place for those looking to spend the night with shooting games.

Join Our Live Tuna Cutting Show Tour Is doing a DIY tour exhausting for you? Join our Tuna Cutting Show Tour ! During our Tuna Cutting Show Tour, you will be able to see a tuna cut in a traditional Japanese way right in front of you. We will explain how the tuna is cut and tell you stories about tuna, Sushi, and Japanese food culture. After the tuna cutting show, you will be able to eat fresh tuna sashimi, tuna sushi, and a variety of tuna dishes along with Japanese Sake. All you can drink and eat is included in this experience. Learn more about our Tuna Cutting Show Tour !

• What to do in Tokyo

Recent Posts

20 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo (Hanami Spots)

What to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo: 8 Things to Do in Shibuya at Night

Tokyo Cherry Blossom 2024: Forecasts, Dates, Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo

Comentários

• Sightseeing Spot
• Event Information
• Japanese / Local Cuisine
• Night life – Izakaya, Bar, Pub
• Noodles – Soba, Udon, Ramen
• Asian and International Cuisine
• Tokyo Shinjuku Volunteer Guide｜YOKOSO新宿

YOKOSO Shinjuku is offering Free Mini-Guided (Walking) around Tokyo’s commercial and administrative centre, Shinjuku district.

Volunteers will refer to people as “guests” rather than a customer, providing you with an exciting perspective on one of Tokyo’s major stops and largest entertainment, business and shopping districts.

We are not professional guides however, we do love to share our excitement for this part of the city. We hope you have a great time in Japan!

Volunteer Guide Schedule

We offer free tours several times a month. From 11:00 (around 1 hours Walking Guide) *We can’t accept the tour when our office work is busy.

Conditions ■ Only single groups of women, couples and females can participate in a tour. ■ We cannot provide this tour for single males only. ■Submit your request by mail at least one month in advance of the desired tour date.

Hanazono Shrine

Since ancient times, Hanazono shrine is enshrined as the guardian god of the town of Shinjuku. The way of counting God is called “Hashira” and there are three kinds of hashira in Hanazono Shrine.

There is an area in the narrow alley between Hanazono Shrine and Shinjuku promenade, where small counter snack / bars are gathered. This area is called Golden Street.

Kabukicho is a place that was named “The city that never sleeps”. It is one of the best entertainment streets that even bright in the midnight with neon.

Other requests, such as shopping and entertainment spots about 1 hours at Shinjuku east exit, as well as accompanying requests will be accepted.

Policies and Terms of use

In order to participate, please carefully read the following Policies and Terms of use, to understand our policy and comply with it. The guide always goes in pairs. We are a volunteer so when our office work is busy and sometimes tours are not available.

1. The cost is free because it is organised for the purposes of our guests so that they can enjoy the Shinjuku Area.

2. If there is a desire for guests to go to the Sushi Shops, Japanese Pubs, Restaurants, etc., it is also possible to introduce you to other shops that you hope to visit.

3. Shinjuku Free Walking Tour and its guides are not responsible for any damage, injury, theft, or loss of valuables suffered by the guest during the volunteers sightseeing tour. Please be aware that these come at your own risk.

4. Because it is a volunteer orientated guided tour organised during intervals of their job on the weekday, we may refuse the guide if we are busy with work.

5. If the guide feels uncomfortable due to the following acts received from the guest, we will terminate the guide service at any time during the tour. ・Intoxication and illicit behavior ・Request involving in sexual tourism ・Changing significant time and course on the day ・Request for guidance to sex industry such as customs relations

Be sure to write your name, residence, nationality, number of participants, their age and relationships in the inquiry form below and send it.

To those who participated in our “Shinjuku Free Walking Tour”, we ask for your cooperation with a survey for future reference. ■ For Questionnaire content please, CLICK HERE

• Capsule Hotel & Guest House
• Latest Post
• Share House
• Shinjuku Life Hacks
• Staff Experiences
• Useful Information
• Staff's recommended

Accommodation

Shinjuku Tourist Guide｜YOKOSO SHINJUKU TOKYO

A website that provides the latest and finest information on restaurants, shops, events, sightseeing, hotels, accommodations and many other great things within shinjuku..

• Multilingual Support Center
• Terms of Use

Copyright ©  Shinjuku Tourist Guide｜YOKOSO SHINJUKU TOKYO All rights reserved.

• Shinjuku 3 Chome
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Night tour w/ Hiroshi - Tokyo Localized Free Walking Tour

• Asia    
• Japan    
• Kanto    
• Tokyo Prefecture    
• Tokyo    
• Shinjuku    
• Shinjuku 3 Chome    
• Shinjuku 3 Chome - Things to Do    
• Tokyo Localized Free Walking Tour

Highly recommend the Shinjuku Night Tour!! Hiroshi promised we wouldn’t look at Tokyo the same way... read more

Hiroshi did a great job explaining the night life in Shinjuku area. It was not only visiting the... read more

Night tour w/ Hiroshi

We met Hiroshi next to the south east jr information center. The tour mainly focused around the the city's red light district.. IWhereas the city is so active and vibrant and it felt like focusing on that part was a bit boring and repetitive. I also think it would have been better if Hiroshi had noticed that most of the group was made of couples who probably could not care less about visiting the sex workers... Not the best walking tour, but Hiroshi was kind.

Thank you for coming to our night walking tour. As we mention on our website, this tour is for over 18, and focusing on night life of Japan. For customers whom want to know about Tokyo, we also offer 3 hours day tour to explain the and feel the vibe of the city of Tokyo. Hope you had a great time rest of your stay.

A very good option to enjoy a night in Tokyo and its secrets, with a friendly companion and an excellent guide.

Learned a lot about the Shinjuku area that we would have otherwise not given much thought to amidst all of the bright lights and hoards of people. Hiroshi was energetic, entertaining and his communication with the group was great. Highly recommended.

Hitoshi showed a great passion for his country. Very informative and entertaining at the same time. Went back for the day tour

Awesome free Tokyo tour! Hiroshi was the best tour guide, he was funny, interesting, and informative. We enjoyed it so much that my mom and I forgot that we'd been walking for 3 hours, didn't feel tired at all cause it was enthralling. Definitely a must for first timers in Tokyo.

Hiroshi, the guide was excellent. We learnt about Japan in 1 day more then during all trip!!! We will come again...

• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar

4corners7seas

Overland travel blog

Shinjuku Walking Tour: skyscrapers, old-time alleyways, and Kabukicho red light district

Architecture , Japan , Tokyo / April 8, 2017 by Simon Norton / 2 Comments

If it’s your first time in Japan ‘s capital and you want to get straight to the heart of the action, try this walking route through Shinjuku (from Tochomae Station to Shinjuku Sanchome Station) taking in skyscraper city views, atmospheric old-time alleyways, and a glimpse of the city’s seedy underbelly in the neon-soaked twilight zone of Kabukicho.

Start things off at the imposing  Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building , more simply known as Tocho (都庁), where you can go up to one of the observation decks on the 45th floors of the building’s twin towers. The observation decks are free and have awesome views of the Tokyo cityscape; the south tower shuts at 17:30 but the north tower is open until 23:00, and the best timing would be a little before sunset. Mt Fuji is sometimes visible, but only on the clearest of days. To get there, Tochomae station (on the Toei Oedo line) is located directly under the building; you can also walk on foot from the main Shinjuku Station’s West Exit, from where there’s an underground walkway replete with moving walkways for the benefit of all the Tocho commuters (some 10,000 people per day):

At the end of the moving walkway keep walking straight a bit further past the Keio Plaza Hotel and under the elevated roads, and you’re looking for this:

The observatory elevators are in there. They whisk you up to the top in 50 seconds, and the views are great day or night:

Alternatively, head to the New York Bar on the 52nd floor of the Shinjuku Park Hyatt (the hotel from Lost In Translation ) for a pricey cocktail (plus cover charge after 8pm), or try the restaurant floors at the top of the Shinjuku NS Building, a boring looking office tower from the outside but with a pretty amazing hollow interior featuring a huge water clock and a space station-like walkway at the top of the atrium; the restaurants are reasonably priced cheap to mid-range rather than the Michelin-starred madness often found in the upper floors of Tokyo skyscrapers.

Shinjuku NS Building:

Once you’re done there, walk to the west exit of Shinjuku station around 10 minutes away – you can do this at street level or down in the underground walkway. If you go at street level, you’ll pass through this area:

Map of the route (click for larger version):

Once at the station, from the street level west exit head north and walk for a few minutes until you reach the large Uniqlo store on the right; turn right into the side street there, and almost immediately on the left you’ll see the entrance to Omoide Yokocho, 思い出横丁 (Memory Alley), better known as Shomben Yokocho (Piss Alley!), a wonderfully atmospheric alleyway tucked in next to the train tracks and still pretty much as it was in the immediate post-war years.

This is a great spot for some photography, and also where I suggest grabbing a meal from one of the tiny, steamy little joints lining the alley. For more detail on Omoide Yokocho’s history and the food and drink options there (and how to find it!), see this post .

After a pit stop there, it’s time to get right in the thick of it and head over to Kabukicho. Leave Omoide Yokocho by the northern end, and immediately turn right to take the underpass beneath the railway tracks. Once on the other side you’re walking east on Yasukuni-dori, and Kabukicho is over on the north side of the street; it’s a fairly compact grid of side streets leading down off Yasukuni-dori and the alleyways between them, and you can see the entrance signs on Yasukuni-dori looking like this:

The most major (and least seedy) road in Kabukicho is the fairly wide street leading to the Gracery Hotel & Toho Cinema building (easily recognisable by the Godzilla statue on the roof):

The businesses lining this street are standard izakayas, karaoke places, ramen shops, and so on, so even if you feel a bit nervous about walking through a red list district, simply walking down to Godzilla and back up again will be absolutely fine. For those who do want to delve a bit deeper, you can turn off into the smaller side streets and alleyways where you’ll see various forms of establishment involved in the drinking and flesh trades; some are legit bars, some are dodgy, some are outright criminal. It’s hard to distinguish what’s what, but it’s all very neon and loud and there’s plenty of good people watching to be had; one particular point of interest in here is the Robot Restaurant, a gimmicky place where you pay to be served by scantily clad waitresses driving in around in big ‘robots’:

Not something I’ve ever personally felt like parting with money for, but even just the outside of the restaurant is worth a look – a more garish facade you will never see, and I once actually put my sunglasses back on (even though it was night) just to be able to look at it without squinting!

If you visit Kabukicho on a rainy evening it goes full cyberpunk and is pretty much as close as you can get to feeling like you’re in Blade Runner :

Although Kabukicho is no doubt seedy and full of sketchy characters, it’s perfectly safe as long as you follow one golden rule – do NOT go anywhere with any of the touts who approach you on the street, however friendly they seem, however good their English is. Just don’t do it; best case scenario is you get ripped off, worst case is you get drugged and robbed blind. It’s happened to so many people, so I’m going to say it again – do NOT go with the touts, at all, anywhere. If you’re there as a couple, they will likely not bother you anyway, but single guys or groups of guys will definitely be approached; if you’re Asian, you’ll likely be approached by Japanese and Chinese touts, if you’re black or white you’ll be approached by the Nigerian lads (usually claiming to be South African or Ghanaian, but also usually with revealingly weak knowledge of those countries’ sports teams). These Nigerian guys are very personable, usually dressed up in suits, full of handshakes and friendly smiles, and out to completely shaft you if they can; although I’ve had some interesting chats with a couple of them once they realised I wasn’t an easy mark (I even have one of their demo CDs at home – good singer but not my cup of tea), others can get outright rude and hostile once they sense you’re not falling for it. As a first time visitor to Tokyo though, really it’s best to not even talk to them at all; a curt “no thanks mate” while ignoring their outstretched hand suffices well. The Shinjuku Police know what they’re talking about, so heed their warnings:

If you’re a woman or group of women, unfortunately there’s a high likelihood you’ll be hassled; if you’re Asian, Japanese touts and junior gangster douchebags may approach trying to recruit you for the porn / prostitution industries, and if you’re Western the Nigerian guys are likely to hit on you. You may also be approached by Japanese ‘nampa artists’ i.e. pickup artists; again, just ignore them and keep walking, and though they might annoyingly persist at first they’ll quickly give up and look for another target.

You’ll be fine on Godzilla street, Sakura-dori (さくら通り, the street down to Robot Restaurant), and Shinjuku-kuyakusho-dori (新宿区役所通り, Shinjuku Ward Office Street ), but might not want to linger too long in any single spot. Should you be keen to actually try a host club, starting from Mister Donut (see below) walk down Shinjuku-kuyakusho-dori for about 5 minutes, and you’ll come to an area with lots of advertising pictures on the sides of the buildings of the hosts and hostesses in the nearby clubs. The junior hosts are usually out touting on the street and will find you; these guys are safe enough to go with if you want to check a host club out, though it won’t be very safe for your wallet. Personally I think the hosts look like complete tools with their Thundercats hairdos and eyeliner, but whatever floats your boat!

(if you’re not entirely sure what a host club is, check this video out for a quick demo; and have a look behind the (shady) scenes here . As for guys curious to try out a hostess club, the only realistic way to do so is to have a trusted Japanese friend take you. One more time; do not go with any tout on the street offering to take you to strip clubs, hostess places etc )

Once you’ve had enough of Kabukicho (a brief walk through and a few pics will be enough for most), head back up to Yasukuni-dori, turn left, and walk a short distance to Mister Donut. Now you’re looking for the mysterious pathway to Golden Gai; it’s a tree-lined paved pedestrian path leading back into the block behind the Mister Donut shop. Follow it for 30 seconds and you’ll emerge in Golden Gai, the more drinking-oriented cousin of Omoide Yokocho. Like Memory Alley, the architecture is still very much as it was shortly after World War II, making it an interesting little slice of history; it’s also one of the most interesting places in Tokyo to go for a drink. See my Golden Gai post for more detail, but it’s basically a dense collection of tiny little bars packed in to a bunch of ramshackle buildings lining a few narrow and atmospheric alleyways. The drinking here isn’t particularly cheap, with cover charges common, but it’s a great spot to end your Shinjuku walk with a few beers.

Once you’re done there you could also check out the peaceful Hanazono shrine, just on the other side of Golden Gai; a subway exit (for Shinjuku Sanchome Station) is located just in front of the shrine.

Any questions about Shinjuku, Piss Alley, or Kabukicho? Leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you.

Heading to Japan? Click the banner to pre-order a JR Pass for a 40-dollar saving:

Is the JR Pass worth it? See here

Search for hotel deals in Tokyo

See also my posts on Blade Runner and Ghost In The Shell

More Tokyo posts here , and check out my quick guide to Tokyo ; for more posts on Japan click here

For my Japan snowboarding guide, click here

Check out my guides to hiking in Kyoto and Tokyo

For my Japan overland travel guide, click here

(This page contains affiliate links i.e. if you follow the links from this page to Amazon, Hotels Combined, or Japan Rail Pass and make a purchase, 4corners7seas will receive a commission from them. This commission comes out of their profit margin at no extra cost to you, and thank you in advance should you choose to purchase anything via the above links!)

Reader Interactions

May 18, 2018 at 12:38 pm

Great read altho somewhat busy..thanks for sharing..

May 19, 2018 at 6:50 am

Cheers Liz… a busy post for the busiest of places!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.