Neighborhood
Shinjuku Golden Gai
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Shinjuku Golden Gai is a district in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, made up of six narrow alleys connected by passageways barely wide enough for one person. Over 200 tiny shanty-style bars, clubs, and eateries are packed into two-story buildings just a few feet wide. The area is dimly lit and run-down, offering a glimpse of Tokyo before its economic boom.
Don't miss
- Network of six narrow alleys with passageways barely wide enough for one person
- Over 200 tiny shanty-style bars, clubs, and eateries in two-story buildings
- Bars with themes like jazz, R&B, karaoke, punk rock, or flamenco, with walls covered in posters
- Shinjuku Golden Street Theatre, a tiny venue putting on mainly comedy shows
- A rare surviving example of Tokyo's pre-economic miracle streetscape
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Shinjuku Golden Gai
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inTokyo Shinjuku Chopsticks Making Class5★ · 3,749 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$9 per personSee dates →
Most bookedTokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)4.9★ · 9,113 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$82 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleTokyo: Shinjuku Historical Walking Tour & Secret Backstreets5★ · 1,025 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$16 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- Photography and video on the street is prohibited without permission from the area's business promotion association.
- The alleys are private roads, not public roads.
- Golden Gai is not a cheap place to drink; the clientele is generally well off.
A bit of history
Golden Gai was known for prostitution before it became illegal in 1958, then developed as a drinking area. Some bars trace back to the 1960s. In the 1980s, yakuza set fires to buildings so developers could buy the land, but Golden Gai survived because supporters took turns guarding it at night.
Common questions
Can anyone go into the bars?
Many bars only welcome regular customers who are introduced by an existing patron, but many others welcome non-regulars, including overseas tourists. Some bars display signs and price lists in English.
What kind of people go to Golden Gai?
It's known as a meeting place for musicians, artists, directors, writers, academics, actors, and celebrities.
How do I get there?
It's a few minutes' walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, between the Shinjuku City Office and the Hanazono Shrine.
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