Having Fun and Partying in Tokyo
Partying in Tokyo is very expensive, as costly as in Scandinavian countries. The price of nightclubs is exorbitant. During my three-week stay in Japan, I went several times to the festive spots in Tokyo. I mainly visited three places: Shibuya, Roppongi, and Asakusa. Asakusa, for those who know it, is not festive at all, but I will explain that further below.
Places to Party in Tokyo
It’s really very different from France. I will introduce you to several neighborhoods; most of the time the ratio is 95% Japanese and 5% Westerners (and I’m being generous):
- Roppongi is the well-known place for gaijins (foreigners), it is where most Westerners usually are! It is a “seedy” place, meaning shabby, people drink, alcohol flows freely, and there is flirting (you might say it’s like all clubs). What you need to know is that Japanese women who come there are looking for excitement and want to have fun, so they seek exoticism, meaning foreigners. You will see in this place that Japanese men approach Japanese women from behind because they are so afraid to approach from the front! It’s quite special to see that.
I went to “Vanity,” a nightclub in a building with about fifty floors; I recommend this place, it is the best spot in Roppongi.
I also went to New Lex Tokyo, which is an overrated place not worth it.
There are many street touts who tell you to go to their club and that it’s cheap, but good clubs don’t need that!
Most of the time, the entrance fee is quite expensive, from 2000 yen on weekdays (20 euros) to 4000 yen, 40 euros on weekends. Personally, if you go to Tokyo, I prefer Shibuya, but Roppongi is a place to see and experience. The atmosphere in Roppongi is very special; I didn’t really like it, but you have to go to see it.
- Shibuya is the fashion district and also has nightclubs. We went with people from my youth hostel to “Womb”; the entrance is quite expensive without drinks (4000 yen, 40 euros). The music is more electro, and the atmosphere is already different; the place is not seedy but has a lot of vibe. You won’t see anyone attacking from behind! Here, people talk if they are brave! People also drink a lot of alcohol but seem much more respectful. That’s my impression.
- Asakusa is the traditional district of Tokyo, but it is here that you will find several backpacker bars, including the Kao San bar or the Asakusa Smile bar. These are youth hostel bars, so it is easier to meet people here; there are often Japanese people who go there because they want to meet Europeans or Westerners.
I spent a week in Tokyo, and this is just my experience of Tokyo; every experience is different, so you should not take the advice literally because every night is different. There is also a place in Tokyo I haven’t tried: Shinjuku, which is a well-known area with many bars!
If you want to party there, it will cost you a lot! The price of strong alcohol at supermarkets or convenience stores is generally cheaper.
And have you tried nightclubs in Tokyo?
