The biggest branch of Don Quijote, Shibuya Mega Donki is located in Shibuya, which comprises 7 floors and is open for 24 hours. Probably the most famous shopping destination in all of Shibuya, however, is Shibuya 109. For decades, Tokyo teens have flocked to this beacon of trendy, fast fashion.
But as the sun dips below the skyline and casts its golden hues over the Hachiko statue, Shibuya undergoes a transformation. The daytime hustle retreats, replaced by a nocturnal allure that captivates night owls, adventurers and insomniacs alike. Shin-Okubo experienced its first boom in the early 2000s when the TV series Winter Sonata turned out to be a huge success in Japan.
The famous Nakamise Street with vendors lined up on both sides of the street is a maze of people. The only way you can get through is by repeatedly saying the word “Sumimasen ” like a broken record. This way, you can enjoy all the facilities of this neighbourhood without breaking the bank. Due to the popularity among non-Japanese visitors, it’s easy to get around without speaking or reading Japanese.
Spice up your Tokyo itinerary with the following places to catch a glimpse of the city from high above. Actually, the atmosphere of the karaoke/restaurant/bar, near the Beaubourg district, is way more serious than anywhere else, but it’s still very cozy. It’s also possible to enjoy a karaoke night for yourself during the week by booking it for a birthday, a bachelor party or whatever the reason.
Sitting on a well-trafficked intersection of Omotesando is VENT, a nightclub as tastefully designed as the high-end neighborhood it calls home. Although it may feel almost clinical in its minimalist aesthetics, the interior of this place is a genius contrast to the wholly encompassing soundtrack that swirls through the dance floor. With a carefully selected roster of international and local names taking the stage on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s dangerously easy to lose the entire weekend in here.
When inside your room, many establishments may recommend that you stay seated at least 1 meter/3 feet away from each other and that the person singing maintain a distance of 2 meters/6 渋谷 カラオケバー feet. After experiencing the panorama, enjoy the viewing gallery at “SKY GALLERY” on the 46th floor. Either looking for a new shopping experience, or for an incredible view of Tokyo?
This means that the voice, as part of the music, has equal volume on both stereo channels and no phase difference. To get the quasi-karaoke track, the left channel of the original audio is subtracted from the right channel. The Sega Saturn also has a "mute vocals" feature that is based on the same principle and is also able to adjust the pitch of the song to match the singer's vocal range. But there is actually a lot more to do here — check out our list of the top things to do in Shibuya.
As the last day of the train is affectionately called, is a common occurrence among Tokyoites, especially if you’re out and having a good time with friends and family. Other cosmopolitans may be used to public transport running all night, but in Tokyo, buses and trains stop running during the night until the early hours of morning. When this last train runs depends on the line but usually, it is around midnight – easy to miss if you forget the time over a couple of drinks and an engaging conversation. Of course, a taxi is always an option, but taxis are notoriously expensive in Tokyo and especially if you’re far from home, the expenses might be too much to handle. This ‘kitchen town’ is made up of over 170 wholesale stores selling crockery, pots and pans, knives, chopsticks, plastic food models, grills...
He must have been a big shot because a clear bottle of shiny gold liquid magically appeared at his seat before their coats even came off. His big square-suited shoulders belied a hearty yet surprisingly high-pitched laugh as he gruffly greeted the staff. Photography courtesy of Grace Lee-WeitzBar Martha is quite possibly the best bar I’ve ever been to. First, there’s the husband-wife owners—Hide and Chie Yamada, who liberally practice the concept of omotenashi, the “correct” way to treat a guest. When Stacey and I visited on a snowy and rainy Thursday that meant coming outside to greet us, showing us where to stow our umbrella, and ushering us into the quirky, yet comforting space. Together we’ve put together a great list of spots to satiate your thirst while in Tokyo.
This little Cuban-themed hangout in Roppongi has one of the cheapest happy hours in the city, so if you’re preparing for a big night in the neighborhood, look no further. These days, the place has undergone a bit of a facelift and with it new happy hour menus, but that said you can still get a lot for 500 yen during happy hour. Clubbing all night is always a pretty pricey affair, no matter how budget-savvy you’re trying to be. Going out can get a little steep, especially when nightclub cover charges often sit between the 2,500 yen (US$23) to 4,000 yen (US$36) mark. That said, Vision is a hot tip when it comes to serious clubbing, because not only is the music consistently good, but they have beer in vending machines. If the lines at the bars are too long, just feed 700 yen (US$6.25) in one of these bad boys, and you’re good to go.
Hidden on the fifth floor of a rather ramshackle looking building in Shinjuku, this retro game bar is covered from table to ceiling in gaming paraphernalia, but that’s just where the gaming obsession begins. Albatross G, hidden within the labyrinth of the wild red-light district Kabukicho, is the latter. For a ¥500 entrance charge, you can pull up a seat between the chandeliers at this compact double-story bar and drink world-class cocktails among the Kabukicho madness until the sun comes up. The casual dining and drinking venue has 40 different types of Japanese craft beer on tap, and the lineup changes daily, so even regulars will always have something new to try. While the clientele at Ginza’s 300 Bar is usually a 50/50 split between nearby office workers looking for a cheap drink and international patrons, its focus is very much international.
Nonbei Yokocho offers an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of the famous Golden Gai in Shinjuku and Memory Lane. A prominent highlight of Omotesando is Omotesando Hills, a sleek and modern shopping complex that houses a collection of upscale designer stores, cool shops and fantastic restaurants. If you want some delicious first class pasta, I recommend Fratelli Paradiso. For a contemporary shopping spree and romantic walk along a zelkova lined avenue, head to Omotesando. Omotesando is sometimes referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Élysées and is a refined and elegant experience in the heart of Shibuya. Take a walk along Omotesando and admire the high-end boutiques, stylish cafés, and impressive architectural designs.