Ultimate guide of the Unique Bar Alley “Golden Gai”

Shinjuku Nightlife Guide-vol.3

▼ Check out our  latest in-depth guide to Shinjuku Golden Gai here ▼

Golden Gai (ゴールデン街) is a little dim and weird district, compared to the next red-light district Kabukicho. There are around 200 unique small bars including “snack” which is a tiny bar a female barkeeper “mama” usually runs.

The bars with unique mamas draw wide-ranged customers from actors to writers and photographers. It’s famous that many of them come back as regular customers.

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Golden Gai (ゴールデン街)

Golden Gai has developed as a drinking area since prostitution became illegal in 1958. Many of the bars have their original theme, for instance subculture and punk rock.

Please note that most bars require some charge (around JPY1,000) but it is not cheating.

Some bars in Golden Gai welcome foreign tourists. If you are worried about the unfamiliar area, take this local guide option↓↓

<<You can enjoy Shinjuku Nightlife with local people at Golden Gai!! See more details ;)>>


▽Kabukicho <Shinjuku Nightlife Guide-vol.1->▽

▽Omoide Yokocho <Shinjuku Nightlife Guide-vol.2->▽


Nearest Station: Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line and others)

MAP

Good Restaurants in Shinjuku↓↓

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Hi! I’m a writer and editor at Japan Web Magazine. Since 2017, I’ve written over 500 articles covering a wide range of Japan-related topics—must-visit travel spots, local food culture, helpful travel tips, seasonal events, anime, manga, and more. I travel all over Japan, from the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido to the tropical beaches of Okinawa. My hobbies, such as hunting for the best ramen shops and keeping up with the latest anime every season, help me share the magic of Japan with people from all over the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Japan fan planning your dream trip, I want to help you experience the best of what this country has to offer. After traveling to many countries around the world, I still love Japan the most, and I continue to share information while making the most of my perspective as someone who was born and raised here. [Connect with me] ▷You can find more of my writing and follow my latest thoughts on Japan over on Medium. A bit more about me: [Traveler at heart] ▷Most unforgettable trip: Chichijima Island, a remote island that takes over 23 hours to reach by ferry from Tokyo! ▷Favorite neighborhood in Tokyo: Kagurazaka [Foodie life] ▷Obsessed with sushi and ramen ▷Proud foodie moment: Scored a seat at the legendary Sukiyabashi Jiro [Passionate otaku] ▷Favorite anime: March Comes in Like a Lion and Attack on Titan ▷Manga I live by: One Piece and Slam Dunk