Tokyo’s nightlife attracts all kinds of people from all over the world. Here, we will introduce the night scene in Tokyo, from popular nightspots such as Shinjuku and Roppongi to izakaya and bars.

Let’s enjoy Tokyo’s night.

Drink and Party

From Michelin Guide starred fine dining restaurants to casual izakaya. A wide variety of nightclubs (large and small, genres ranging from house to techno, hip hop), live performances at bars and pubs (jazz, rock, blues, punk …).

And every night, a special event held somewhere in the city. Lively parties are always going on at night in Tokyo.

The Areas for Night Life

Which area should I go to if I want to enjoy the nightlife in Tokyo? Depending on what you want to enjoy, but lively places such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Ginza, and Yurakucho do not sleep at night.

There is an area with a unique atmosphere near these downtown areas. For example, “Koenji”, which has many live houses and fashionable bars, is close to Shinjuku, and “Shimokitazawa”, the center of subculture, is close to Shibuya. Nakameguro, also known as a gourmet town, has great access to Shibuya and Roppongi.

If you’re looking for a city where you can enjoy nightlife as a foreign tourist, visit Roppongi and its surroundings (Ebisu, Meguro, Hiroo, Azabujuban), Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station. Besides this, the surrounding areas such as Tokyo Sky Tree and Asakusa are also popular with tourists.

However, most areas (if not close to downtown) have restaurants and bars that are open until late at night in Tokyo.

Authentic Bars to Jazz Bars

Tokyo is a very attractive city for liquor lovers. At an izakaya, you can enjoy delicious sake and a wide variety of dishes. There are many restaurants that serve high-quality food, even in small stores with a friendly atmosphere.

If you go to Ginza, there are plenty of authentic bars where you can enjoy high-class cocktails. Moreover, there are many beer-based bars in Tokyo, including Ryogoku’s “Popeye,” and many jazz bars where you can listen to live music.

Izakaya in Shinbashi and Ginza, where office buildings are congested, are crowded with people who get off work on weekdays.

Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi are especially popular for enjoying holiday nights.

Club Scene in Tokyo

People have different tastes for club music. But don’t worry. Clubs in Tokyo cover all genres.

Tokyo is the city with the most jazz clubs in Japan. The “Pit Inn” in Shinjuku and the “Cotton Club” in Marunouchi are especially famous. Record bars are also popular, and “City Country City” is located in Shimokitazawa.

“Harlem” in Shibuya is one of Japan’s leading hip-hop clubs and “Aus”, which opens until 8 am on weekends, is recommended for house and techno-centric clubs. At the large-scale club “Ageha” in Shinkiba, various club events are happening every night.

Of course, here are just a few of the nightclubs and live houses in Tokyo.

Yokocho – Food Street

Some places, like “Ameyoko Shopping Street” in Ueno, are open until around 8 pm, but there aren’t many night markets in Tokyo like in other Asian cities.

Instead, there are many street food stalls and shops selling delicious food and drinks lined up in narrow alleys in Tokyo. Many of them are under the railroad overpass or on the side, and the retro atmosphere of them is also fascinating.

For example, “Golden Gai”, “Omoide Yokocho” in Shinjuku, “Nonbei Yokocho” in Shibuya, “Ebisu Yokocho” in Ebisu, “Suzunari Yokocho” in Shimokitazawa are famous.

Night View in Tokyo

The night view of Tokyo with its glittering neon lights and skyscrapers is a must-see.

Enjoy the view from the top of a skyscraper

If you want to enjoy the night view of Tokyo, we recommend the restaurants, bars, and observation facilities on the upper floors of the building.

In some high-rise buildings such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, you can overlook the city from the bars and restaurants on the floor near the top floor.

There are also observation facilities such as the observation space “SHIBUYA SKY” in Shibuya Scramble Square and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Room (45th floor of the First Main Government Building).

In addition, the “New York Bar” on the 52nd floor of Park Hyatt Tokyo is world-famous as the location for the movie “Lost in Translation.”

Another way to enjoy the night view is to take a night cruise around Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River. The beautiful night view of Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba from the top of the ship will be an unforgettable memory.

Neon Streets

Neon streets are the image of Tokyo itself. If you visit Tokyo, please feel the vibe. We recommend “Center Street” in Shibuya and “Kabukicho” in Shinjuku.

It is also recommended to take a walk on the main streets of Akihabara and Ginza, or visit the side streets such as Golden Gai and Nonbei Yokocho.

There are too many spots in Tokyo to listed up.

Illuminations in Winter

In winter, the illuminations in Tokyo become even more beautiful. The Keyakizaka Illuminations at Roppongi Hills and the Winter Illuminations at Caretta Shiodome are held every year. Don’t miss the white-lit roadside trees along the main street in Marunouchi as well.

Shrines and Temples are open at night

If you want to take a picture of the night view of Tokyo, you don’t want to miss shrines and temples. In Tokyo, there are many temples and shrines that you can visit at night, such as “Kanda Myojin” and “Hanazono Shrine”. The beautiful illumination of the shrine is also a highlight.

If you want to take a picture of Tokyo Tower, the symbol of Tokyo, head to Zojoji Temple.

Night Tour

Night Walk along the riverside

Why not take a walk along the river at night. For example, the Meguro River, which is close to Nakameguro, has many cherry blossoms planted along the river, and you can enjoy a breathtaking view during the cherry blossom season. However, please note that it will be much more crowded than usual.

As another popular walking route, we recommend from Asakusa to Tokyo Sky Tree, or from Odaiba to Tokyo Tower through the Rainbow Bridge.

Night Drive

If you have a driver’s license, why not drive around Tokyo at night? Speaking of night view drive in Tokyo, the route from central Tokyo to Yokohama is recommended because you can see a wonderful night view of Yokohama Port. If you want to drive the center of Tokyo, Uchibori-dori around the Imperial Palace is recommended.

If you don’t have a license, you can get a close view of the skyscrapers from trains aswell.

Tours

For those who want to enjoy Tokyo at night with a guide, there are many tours available.

Double-decker open-top buses and Tokyo Bay cruises also take place at night. For those who want to walk around, there is also a tour in which a local guide teaches you hidden bars in Tokyo.

There are many other tours and they are mostly available in English.

You will never get tired of this city.