14 Best Nightlife Activities in Tokyo

Tokyo is the city that never sleeps! Many entertainment facilities in Tokyo are open all day, and nightlife in Tokyo is as enjoyable as daytime. From authentic drinking alleys to observation decks for a stunning night city view, here are the most recommended activities and things to see in Tokyo at night!

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1. Robot Restaurant/Samurai Restaurant

Robot Restaurant has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo for past years. It’s located in the biggest red light district in Tokyo, Kabukicho, Shinjuku district. Robots, neon-lights and pretty girls.. let’s party in the most extravagant way! Robot Restaurant, which once closed in 2021, has reopened in the same location in Shinjuku in May 2023. At the time of opening, there is only one performance per day from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., but other schedules may be added in the future.

Despite the announcement of comeback, the Robot Restaurant is still closed due to technical issues and no reopening date has been announced. However, there is a new show called the Samurai Restaurant launched by the same creator as the Robot Restaurant, moreover, it’s in the same location. If you wish to visit Robot Restaurant, you can have the similar experience with the brand new Samurai Restaurant, featuring a vibrant and crazy samurai show!

Review: Samurai Restaurant to Open in Shinjuku

You can reserve your seat at Robot Restaurant/Samurai Restaurant through the link blow with the special discounted rate!!

2. Shinjuku

Shinjuku is Tokyo’s best neighbourhood for night-out with three famous nightlife spots. Kabukicho: the biggest red light district in Japan, Golden Gai: the area with many tiny and cozy bars gather and Omoide Yokocho: old-fashion and nostalgic Izakaya alley. On top of these, Shinjuku offers numbers of nightclubs, bars and entertainment facilities that are open until late night.

Shinjuku nightlife wouldn’t complete without eating local dishes and at traditional izakaya bars. Try this Tokyo Bar Hopping Food tour by Magical Trip to explore hidden izakaya bars at night.

3. Izakaya Hopping (Pub Crawl)

Like Shinjuku, there are many other areas in Tokyo where many local Izakaya bars gather. Joining some of Izakaya hopping tours could be the best way to explore the local drinking culture. Sip some Sake and enjoy Japanese pub food to experience the local nightlife in Japan!

Shibuya and Asakusa are two most popular areas to explore Tokyo’s nightlife besides Shinjuku area. Shibuya area offers a young and energetic nightlife which is perfect for trendy foodie travellers. On the other hand, Asakusa is a perfect area to learn the retro and historical culture of Tokyo. If you want to know the old-fashioned nightlife of Tokyo rather than modern and glaring nightlife, Asakusa is more for you. Check out the links below for more details about night food tour in Shibuya and Asakusa areas.

4. Observatories

Gazing the city view from skyscrapers is one of must-do things in Tokyo. Tokyo has numbers of amazing observatories to see the panoramic view of the city even including Kanto area and Mt.Fuji when the visibility is good during the day. Also the views are even more spectacular at night when the whole city glows like a jewel box. Here are some of the most recommended observatory decks that you shouldn’t miss in Tokyo!

▶ Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills
▶ Tokyo Tower
▶ Tokyo Skytree
▶ Shibuya Sky

5. Night Cruise

Looking for different way to enjoy the city view? Watching Tokyo from the ocean could be more exclusive, and it’s even better with meals. The Tokyo Bay Cruise offers luxurious french course lunch or dinner with the romantic view of Tokyo.

▶ Tokyo Bay Dinner Cruise

For the unique cruising experience, Yakatabune is also recommended. Yakatabune is a traditional Japanese houseboat that takes guests sightseeing tour while serving authentic Japanese cuisine.

▶ Tokyo Landmarks Sightseeing Houseboat Cruise Tour

6. teamLab Planets

teamLab Planets is a digital art museum located in Toyosu area. The body-immersive museum comprises with four large-scale artwork space where visitors can walk through and immerse into. The indoor museum is a great place to visit both in daytime or night as they are open from 9am to 9pm (10pm on weekend).

▶Book teamLab Planets Tokyo ticket

More info:

7. Clubbing

Tokyo has numbers night clubs where you can party all night long, and many of them gather in Roppongi and Shibuya areas. If you love clubbing, how about hop in at several great clubs and enjoy dancing along amazing music?? Some of most popular night clubs in Tokyo are Womb, Atom Tokyo, Camelot, 1OAK Tokyo, Warp and Raise Tokyo.

8. Live Shows

There are many different kinds of live performance shows available in Tokyo today, such as a traditional Japanese show, comedy show held in a local bar and unique themed performance! Here are some of recommended night shows available in Tokyo today!

▶ Roppongi Kingyo https://www.kingyo.co.jp/
▶ Tantra https://tantra-tokyo.com/
▶ Tokyo Comedy Bar https://www.tokyocomedybar.com/

9. Baseball Games

Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan, and during the season, baseball games are held frequently in Tokyo. The biggest baseball stadium, Tokyo Dome is home to Yomiuri Giants and Jingu Stadium is home to Yakult Swallows, which is located near Harajuku and Shibuya area. If you are around during the season, don’t miss a chance to see the world’s greatest baseball matches in Tokyo!

10. Local Food Walking Tour

If you wish to have an authentic food experience in Tokyo, joining one of food walking tours in Tokyo is highly recommended. Not only tasting delicious Japanese dishes, but also learn the real food culture and discover hidden eateries which you may not find on guidebooks. This night foodie tour is one of the most popular food tours which takes place in Shinjuku. Visit some restaurants and enjoy authentic Japanese dishes and desserts! Click the link below for more details and book the tour with discount now 🙂

11. Helicopter

If observatory decks and cruising are not impressive enough for you, how about gazing the city from the sky? The Tokyo Sky Cruising with a helicopter tour offers the best experience of viewing Tokyo City from the sky, only for yourself!

▶ Tokyo Helicopter Cruise

12. Karaoke

Karaoke is one of the most unique culture in Japan, and it’s extremely popular. Especially, many Japanese go to Karaoke after drinking! It doesn’t matter if you like singing or not, Karaoke is simply the great way to have fun with friends, and also learn the Japanese culture! Join the local tour “Night-time Karaoke Bar Experience in Tokyo” which will take you to one of the best Izakaya streets of Tokyo, get tipsy then hit Karaoke to party like Japanese!

13. Ninja Shinjuku

Ninja Shinjuku is the great entertaining restaurant featuring the world of Ninja from Edo period and delicious Japanese cuisine. The high quality Japanese food including Wagyu Beef and creative fusion dishes are served by Ninjas who also play magical illusions in front of guests.

Ninja Shinjuku ▶ http://ninjaworld.jp/shinjuku/

14.  Light-up Spots/Events

Japanese people love illuminations. And there are several spots and events available through the year, offering spectacular and romantic lights to illuminate the city.

The best season to see spectacular light-ups in Japan is winter as winter illumination events are held across the country from late autumn to early spring. Likewise, there are numbers of illumination events held in Tokyo, and it’s indeed the most popular activity in winter time. Check the article for more info about winter illuminations in Tokyo.
▶ Tokyo Winter Illumination Guide

Other recommended season is spring and autumn, as these two seasons hosts particularly popular events in the country: cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. During the peak season for both events, light-ups are specially held at numbers of best viewing spots in the city, such as temples, gardens and parks. Check the articles below for popular cherry blossoms and autumn leaves spots in Tokyo.

▶ 10 BEST Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Tokyo
▶ Top 5 Autumn Leaves Spots in Tokyo

Did you enjoy the list?? Tokyo is absolutely entertaining both day and night! Enjoy your day in Tokyo all day long with fun and unique night activities 🙂

For more info about special activities and interesting things to do in Tokyo, you may wanna check out these articles, too!

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