Have you ever been to a red light district? Also called the pleasure district, these areas are designed for adults and have many sex-oriented businesses such as strip clubs and adult theaters. Contrary to popular belief, the red light district is legal in Japan. Kabukicho leads the list, followed by Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Maruyamacho, Hyakunincho, Akabane, and Uguisudani.
Kabukicho is the biggest red-light district in the nation, with many love hotels, host and hostess clubs, and bars. It is located in Shinjuku in the Kanto region. Moreover, this entertainment district is perfect for those looking forward to enjoying wild nightlife activities in Tokyo. This city never sleeps and opens its doors to travelers from all around the world. It also houses many Michelin-star restaurants and local izakayas.
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How To Get To Kabukicho From Shinjuku Station?
First-time visitors often struggle with navigation, and in Tokyo, with its many alleyways and busy streets, finding a way is even more challenging. Similarly, travelers frequently ask questions like where Kabukicho is in Shinjuku, how to get to Kabukicho, etc. Don’t worry, folks; we will guide you step-by-step on your journey.
Shinjuku Station is one of the largest stations, with eight lines. Every hour, thousands of passengers take and depart the train from this place. To avoid getting lost in this gigantic place, remember there are six JR Line exits, often called East, West, and South Exits. Each gate leads to separate destinations.
The East/Central East Exit leads towards Kabukicho. You can spot it by its yellow signs and two ticket gates. After exiting the gate, take the stairs diagonally to the left, and you will arrive at a plaza. The Kabukicho street is straight in front and is marked by the Don Quixote store at its beginning.
Is Kabukicho Safe?
What is Kabukicho known for? The answer is its diverse nightlife activities. You will find everything you can expect a red-light district to have here. However, this also makes many visitors cautious about exploring. One thing we can say for certain is this entertainment district is not for kids or families with young children. On the other hand, solo travelers will have a blast here.
Despite its sketchy reputation, Kabukicho is generally a safe area at night with well-lit streets and a strong police presence. However, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings. For instance, you must be wary of touts in hostess clubs and bars. Beautiful hostesses often persuade customers to buy the most expensive drink in the house. Cases of extortion and spiking drinks are also plenty.
Likewise, tourists may encounter many promoters in the streets of Kabukicho promising cheap drinks and beautiful women. It’s best to politely refuse them, as those people are often frauds spewing lies. Aside from these, visitors won’t have any difficulties in this red-light zone. They can enjoy bar hopping and clubbing and experience a unique Tokyo nightlife.
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- 3 Hours Private Edo Tokyo Shinjuku Entertainment Tour
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- 【Carefully selected】Japanese sake tasting experience
Get Heavy Discounts At Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho
- Address: 1 Chome-16-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Website, Official X, Official Facebook
A trip is incomplete without shopping. However, sellers often charge double or triple rates to tourists. But not anymore. Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho, based on convenience, discount, and amusement, offers heavy discounts on its 40,000 to 60,000 items. This is the biggest Japanese discount store and has branches abroad.
This store provides everything from household goods to high-brand fashion items. Customers shop for daily necessities, cosmetics, clothing, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and home appliances. Furthermore, Don Quijote offers more than cheap prices; it is open 24 hours a day, allowing people to do last-minute and late-night shopping. Finally, this store offers tax-free shopping, allowing visitors to save money.
Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho is located at the entrance of Kabukicho Street. It is easily seen with its large red sign, Tax-Free Shop. In addition, this store is only 404 m from Shinjuku Station and 233 m from Seibu-Shinjuku Station. It is open 24 hours daily and caters to customers’ requests. Likewise, employees are multilingual and fluently communicate with buyers about their products and prices.
Where To Eat In Kabukicho?
Are you looking for the best place to eat in this Tokyo red light district? Then, you have come to the right place. Here, we have handpicked the locals’ favorite dining places that serve authentic, delicious Japanese cuisine. These Kabukicho restaurants cater to diners’ every need, and their atmosphere ranges from relaxed to formal.
- Gyopao Gyoza Shinjuku: 3 PM – 11:45 PM; Google Map
- Ise Sueyoshi: 5 PM – 10 PM; Google Map
- Nabezo Shinjuku Meiji Dori: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM; Google Map
- Nabezo Shinjuku Sanchome: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM; Google Map
- Teppan Baby: 5 PM – 5 AM; Google Map
- Nihonshu Genka Sakuraga Shinjuku Higashi Guchi East Exit: 12 PM – 11:30 PM; Google Map
See These Handpicked Kabukicho Food Tours:
- Experience Izakaya With A Mini Food Tour Of Tokyo
- Experience Comparing Sake and Delicacies in Shinjuku
- Shinjuku Izakaya Food Tour
- Breakfast Ramen Tour In Shinjuku
Check These Handpicked Kabukicho Tours
Are you ready to visit after learning about everything this entertainment district offers? If so, look at these handpicked Kabukicho tours:
Private Kabuki-cho Tour With Local Guide
(Source: Viator)
Embark on a night expedition with this Private Kabuki-cho Tour. Your local guide is fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese and will take you on a 2—to 4-hour journey. Visitors can customize their trip by choosing places to visit from multiple options. They can also ask questions about the city throughout this tour.
The meeting point of this Viator offer is Cine City Square. From there, the guide will lead the group to Kabukicho District while discussing the city’s origin, history, and daily life. Visitors will also explore the small shrine, Kabukicho Benzaiten. Afterward, they will try drinks in Shinjuku Golden Gai before having a Q&A session with their guide in Mugi no Oto/Hey-rasshai/Braian Bar. The final visiting point is the Hanazono Shrine.
Licensed Guide Kabukicho Shinjuku Nite Experience Tour(Tokyo)
Are you ready to experience Kabukicho’s electrifying nightlife? This Viator tour is perfect for first-timers who want to explore this red-light district like a local. The guide will lead the group to unique entertainment spots only known to locals and inform the visitors about the vibrant host culture that still thrives in Kabukicho today.
The tour begins at 6 PM in Shinjuku City. The group will then head to Golden Gai, which has over 200 bars. Among them, the guide will lead visitors to Smappa’s affiliated bars! Group, where they can order beverages of their choice. Afterward, the team will taste craft beers from Mugi no Oto. It crafts beers of over fifty kinds and over 100 types of wines.
The remaining time will be divided between Human Restaurant and Host Club. The latter is the tour’s highlight, where you can meet handsome hosts and beautiful hostesses.
Tokyo Secret Membership Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
(Source: Viator)
Make bar hopping easier with this Tokyo Secret Membership Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku. As its name suggests, this tour offers trips to the exclusive members-only bars in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. You will be able to access establishments that are typically inaccessible to non-members. In addition, you can enjoy karaoke, a sake auction, a champagne tower, and more unique offers. You can also try bartending at the bar.
Visitors will first explore the gastronomic scene of the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. It has ten shops offering cuisine from several regions of Japan. During the evening, you can also watch various performances. Next, the group will head to the members-only bar to enjoy snacks and drinks. This is an all-you-can-drink offer, so drink as much as you like.
Tokyo Hidden Izakaya and Sake Small-Group Pub Tour with Local Guide
Have you ever heard of Izakayas? These are traditional Japanese drinking restaurants that are famous among corporate employees. They offer a cozy atmosphere with good food and drink. Experience a relaxed ambiance with this Tokyo Hidden Izakaya and Sake Small-Group Pub Tour with a Local Guide. This will be a perfect Kabukicho walking tour, as you will explore bars on foot for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
This Viator offer takes visitors on a memorable izakaya experience, where they will visit up to three local favorites. They can choose pubs from Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yotsuya. Furthermore, visitors will sample Japanese specialties such as yakitori, sashimi, and okonomiyaki. After the tour, your guide will help you return to the starting location or lead you to the nearest station.
Wine Experience At A Host Club
Get princess treatment at Japan’s famous host club with this Wine Experience at a Host Club tour. You will get a memorable experience at SMAPPA! Hans Axel Von Fersen, with gorgeous hosts and hostesses catering to your every need. You can have a lovely conversation with them and enjoy their company.
Another vouching point of this tour is it offers six types of wine to guests. A professional sommelier will serve you wine based on the day’s temperature, weather, and mood. You will also get snacks to accompany your drink. This will be an enjoyable host club experience with tasty wine and gracious hosts in a luxurious establishment.
Easy Ramen Making Experience In Kabukicho, Shinjuku
Kabukicho is not only about nightlife; it also has many restaurants offering delicious Japanese dishes. If you want to learn to cook, this Easy Ramen Making Experience In Kabukicho Shinjuku is your answer. The fun part is that this tour is only one hour long and easily fits your busy schedule.
Making ramen could be easy for some while challenging for others. While you won’t be able to experience the entire process of making ramen noodles, the chef will guide you through the easy steps of preparing ramen. From boiling the noodles to adding meat toppings and garnishing the bowl, you will enjoy every bit of the ramen-making experience.
Calligraphy Experience In Kabukicho
Next, we have the Calligraphy Experience In Kabukicho. This is a beginner-friendly tour designed for visitors of all experience levels. They will learn about Japanese calligraphy, its history, and its significance in Japanese culture. Although it is only one hour and thirty minutes, it will be a fruitful experience with much more to learn.
Visitors will get calligraphy tools to practice. Their teacher will teach them about basic writing points and allow them to practice their favorite words. Practice makes man perfect, so practice calligraphy diligently to improve your skills. In addition, you can take your writing as a souvenir back home.
Kabukicho Tours will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You won’t find a better nightlife opportunity anywhere else. Likewise, this city has the best restaurants and eateries available in Tokyo. You can also enjoy a stress-free shopping spree in Don Quijote. Afterward, book a room in one of our recommended Shinjuku hotels.
This Tokyo city is lively at night, so it’s better to go on a night tour. Go bar hopping or clubbing with your friends. However, keep in mind some safety precautions during your trips. For instance, keep your valuables close to you, don’t carry much cash, and never leave your drink unattended. Don’t accept a drink from a stranger as well. And you are all set to go.
