Types of Bars in Tokyo
The best bars in Tokyo welcome the world. An izakaya is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks similar to a pub. Izakaya are casual places for after-work drinking.
Tachinomi bars are usually crowded. If you visit one, try to grab an open table or find a space to squeeze in. Order drinks right away and leave as soon as you finish to allow others to enjoy.
In Japan “omakase” means the customer leaves order details to the shop. Ordering “omakase” sushi means ingredients are arbitrarily placed on a plate.
Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku is home to many host and hostess clubs, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. It’s often called the “Sleepless Town”. Feeling thirsty? Here are 10 types of bars in Japan:
- Tachinomi – Offer a lively, no-frills environment for casual drinks and bites
- Izakaya – Japanese gastropubs where drinking and food go hand in hand
- Karaoke
- Yokocho Bars
- Snack Bars
- Hotel Bars
- LGBTQ Bars
FAQs on Tokyo Bars
The Tokyo bar FAQ should answer questions about the typical setup. You sit, order whatever, and pay at the end. Budgets vary widely from 100 yen per drink to 10,000 yen for a shot of cognac. Most bars charge 1,000-1,500 yen per drink plus a seating charge.
The Shinjuku region of Tokyo, Japan boasts the Golden Gai! Golden Gai is a unique neighborhood that squeezes in over 200 miniature bars into a network of six narrow alleys, made only for pedestrians.
Located on the 33rd floor of the luxurious Aman Tokyo hotel in Otemachi, Aman Tokyo’s Bar is intimate and exclusive. This space presents an impressive wine selection, craft gin, and a fumoir with fifty different types of cigars.
Meishu Center Tokyo-Sake Tasting Bar is a true hidden gem specializing in sake – with over 500 different versions of Japanese rice wine. The offerings include unusual varieties such as banana, pear, melon, and lychee flavored sakes.
Tokyo, a city not as ethnically diverse as other metropolises, stands unparalleled in both quantity and quality options for dining and drinking out. Walk down any street in Ginza and you’ll see rows of tall, narrow buildings, each with numerous signs to different bars you could discover tonight.
How Many Bars Are in Tokyo?
Tokyo’s nightlife is legendary, with an estimated number of more than 10,000 bars. But how accurate is this figure? This section explores the actual count and locations of bars in the capital city of Japan.