Shibuya Nights

Nearby Destinations

Tokyo

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Length: 2.1 miles / 3.4 km

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Overview: The ever-energetic Shibuya is one of the most iconic places in Tokyo. The giant two-story TV screen that greets those leaving Shibuya station is featured in the movie "Lost in Translation" and is often what we imagine when we think of Tokyo: over-the-top technology, bright lights and people, people, people. The multidirectional crosswalk in front of the station and TV screen is something every tourist must experience--walking across can feel like swimming through crowds of people. I'll never forget the time I parted ways here with one of my friends. We said goodnight and started walking in opposite directions. I looked back less than 10 seconds later and she was gone--vanished into the crowd.

Shibuya is very much alive at night and is home to many popular nightclubs, in addition to "love hotel hill." A love hotel offers garishly decorated rooms by the hour, or by the night, and is the perfect place to spend the time between dancing until you drop and waiting for the trains to start running again (around 5am). Of course, you can also go to McDonalds and sleep on the table counter, as many Tokyo youth do, but for those looking for "Only in Japan" adventure, the love hotels are just that.

Tips: The reality of Shibuya is that there are a million ways to spend a night here. Countless bars, restaurants, clubs and ways to party are at your discretion, but I've chosen what I think is a good route for the first-time foreigner with maybe only one night to experience Shibuya.

You are likely going to pull an all-nighter here, so be prepared for missing the last train. If you simply must get back to the train and back to your bed that same night, plan on winding down and heading back to Shibuya station by 11:30pm. Usually the last trains out are a little past midnight, but double check the times of the last train at the station to be sure.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and be forewarned that it's very easy to get lost in Shibuya. The koban, or Japanese police, are actually very friendly and provide great directions. They can be found in a small station usually notated with an "X" symbol and the roman letters "koban." Another good place to stop and ask for directions is a 7-Eleven or other "conbini," convenience store.

In general Tokyo feels safer to be out and about late at night, but use good sense, especially women, and use the same discretion that you would at home.

Points of Interest

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Shibuya Station

When exiting Shibuya station, head toward the Hachiko exit, named for a statue of a dog named Hachiko. The story behind this statue is that back in the 1920s, this loyal dog greeted his master, Professor Hidesaburo Ueno, every day at Shibuya station at the end of the day. The professor died, but the dog kept waiting for him--every day--for nine years. Talk about faithful! In 2009 this story was even made into a tear-jerking American movie called "Hachi: A Dog's Tale," starring Richard Gere.

This exit gets crowded and is a popular meeting spot. You'll be greeted by large TV screens and the famous "scramble" multidirectional crosswalk, which heads straight into the "forest" of Shibuya nightlife.

One fond memory I have of this area is smelling the sweet pastry scent of the Beard Papa's stand. If you are wandering toward the Hachiko exit and think to yourself, "What smells like heaven?" It's likely to be Beard Papa's. There are branches of this cream-puff pastry store in California, New York and various spots throughout the United States and internationally, but if you've never tried it, do yourself a favor and get one!

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The Lock Up

About a 10-minute walk from the station, the Lock Up is a jail-themed izakaya restaurant. You did read that correctly! First, the izakaya is like a Japanese version of a pub--you can get small plates of grub to share with friends, and drinks, all in a lively atmopshere. But this is a step beyond, as you'll quickly realize when you walk through the maze filled with booby traps upon first entering. Once you finally make it (if you dare, muahaha) to the hostess (dressed in a miniskirt), you can expect the handcuffs to come out, go on your wrist and to be "led" to your table.

The fun doesn't stop at the table. Be prepared for "visitors" in the shape of escapees (or worse) to roam through the restaurant. I don't want to spoil all the fun, but all I can say is, if you frighten easy, you might want to skip this place because even though your table is in its own individual holding "cell," the bad guys can still reach through the bars.

Drink and food names continue the theme, with brightly colored liquids served from a syringe and foods taking on ghastly names. This is fun you won't find in most pubs in the Western world. Part haunted house, part prison, all crazy. Even if you're not hungry, this isn't really about the food--it's about the atmosphere.
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33-1 Udagawa-cho (just off Center-gai, Shibuya Grand Tokyo Building B2F)
03-5728-7731
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Hours
Monday-Thursday 5pm-1am
Friday-Saturday 5pm-5am
Sunday 5am-midnight

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Club Womb

By the name of this club, you might think you're walking into a smaller, intimiate place. While not as big as Tokyo clubs like Ageha, Womb has a huge dance floor. Expect higher-profile DJs than you might see at our next stop, Club Asia. The crowd is a mix of foreign and Japanese 20-somethings and the dress is mostly jeans and club wear.
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03-5459-0039
http://www.womb.co.jp/
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Cover
3,500 yen, which includes two drinks.
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For 20 and older; bring ID

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Club Asia

One of the most popular nightclubs in Shibuya, Club Asia has a top-notch sound sytem. Big names and big events with an East Asian-style interior and elevated DJ booth are what you can expect to find here. The crowd is mostly Japanese and the music ranges from dub step to techno to house to hip-hop.

Check the official site at http://asia.iflyer.jp/venue/home (mostly in Japanese) to view the calendar.

This club is 20 and older; bring your ID.

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Love Hotel Hill

After a few sweaty hours of dancing, you might find yourself looking for a place to crash. Really, even if just among friends, staying in a love hotel in Tokyo is something every tourist should try and experience. It makes for a great story back home!

In this area, you can find a whole slew of cheesy theme hotels that charge by the hour, called a "rest" (which is three or four hours generally, enough to make it to the first trains of the morning), or by the night, called a "stay." Checkout is usually around 10am.

Usually you can reserve a room via vending machine, pressing on the room that you want. If the light behind the room you want is not lit, that means it's currently occupied and you'll have to choose another. After selecting the room, you then pay a cashier sitting behind a curtain, get your keys and off you go!

Some love hotels display signs that indicate if you can't speak Japanese, they can't help you. But there are others that do cater to tourists. The hotels in this area tend to charge around 10,000 yen a night (roughly $100 a night).