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Japan is well known for its bustling nightlife scene, offering a wide variety of entertainment options and unique experiences for its visitors. The cities of Tokyo and Osaka are particularly famous for their vibrant nightlife, with areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi in Tokyo and Dotonbori in Osaka being particularly popular. These nightlife districts are filled with bars, clubs, and pubs, offering everything from game arcades, traditional Japanese bars to trendy clubs that play a mix of local and international music.
You can also experience the traditional Japanese nightlife by enjoying a baseball game at Tokyo Dome, having a romantic dinner onboard a traditional Japanese riverboat, or visiting an izakaya and enjoying a drink and some delicious Japanese food. The nightlife in the “city that never sleeps” is definitely worth exploring and is a unique experience that should not be missed.
Here are some of the best nightlife experiences in Japan:
1. Sing your heart out at a Karaoke
Getting the best out of the nightlife in Japan often entails Japanese people spending their night singing away at a Karaoke shop. Karaoke, derived from Kara(empty) and oke (orchestra), means an instrumental version of a music track that you can put in words and sing along.
You can find karaoke shops anywhere in Tokyo and Osaka, and especially in Shibuya where you can book a private karaoke room to have fun with friends.
Often open till late at night, the rooms usually come with drinks that are included in the room rental and you can order snacks or light meals additionally. Some of the rooms also come with a scoring system, so you can enjoy competing with your friends!
2. Experience the thrill of Game Arcades
Both adults and kids look forward to visiting game arcades as a popular evening activity during a Japan Trip, and you can visit one of these to experience typical nightlife in Japan.
The Japanese game arcades keep upgrading themselves while retaining their nostalgia at the same time. You can find several new game machines among old-school video games.
Try out games such as the famous Taiko Drums, a local favorite or others such as Purikura (Photo booth and very popular for Japanese teenagers) and machine and fighting games or go for the claw machines and grab your favorite stuffed toy or candy.
The game arcades can be a good option to have a good time with your family or to hang out with friends till late at night. You can also have fun at the photo booths that are very popular among Japanese teenagers.
3. Unwind with your pals at Japanese Izakaya
An amazing way to check out how locals spend their nightlife in Japan is to spend an evening at an Izakaya, a Japanese-style pub. Izakaya stands for stay-drink-place and is friendly casual pubs where you can unwind with co-workers or friends at the end of the day. You will find plenty of Izakaya if you visit the areas of Shibuya (Nonbei Yokocho), Shinjuku (Golden-Gai, Omoide Yokocho) in Tokyo, Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori in Osaka.
While some are popular for their affordable drinks, others are frequented for their elegant decor, quality food and private rooms. Get a glimpse of the Japanese drinking culture, the “Nomikai” in Japanese, while visiting the bars and relaxing with a glass of drink along with snacks like Yakitori, fresh seafood, Edamame and others.
4. Dance away at the most happening Nightclubs in Tokyo
If you are a party lover, an excellent way to get a glimpse of the nightlife in Japan is by visiting some of the popular nightclubs in the country. Tokyo is well known for its nightclubs, especially the ones in Shibuya and Roppongi can be visited in the late hours to check out some of the most happening ones with the best crowd, where even international artists perform.
5. Feel the rush at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing
Get crazy at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, known to be the busiest crosswalk in the world, with more than two thousand people crossing at peak times.
While you witness the glow of innumerable sign boards and buildings nearby, you can also check it out from the top of the Shibuya Hikarie Observatory. Or better still, simply join in to be a part of the almost-effortless synchronization of so many people at the crossroads resembling Times Square.
6. Catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing city lights in a Yakatabune
An excellent way of enjoying your night in Japan is taking a dinner cruise in a Yakatabune. Yakatabune is a traditional Japanese boat with Japanese decor in the interior and a tatami floor, sailing in Tokyo Bay, Yokohama Bay, and also Kyoto’s Arashiyama.
Having been in use since ancient times, you can get this unique experience of a dinner cruise in a Yakatabune.
Board this traditional boat, enjoy the river breeze, and admire the view of the sparkling Japanese city lights while relishing traditional Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura etc. along with drinks.
7. Tingle your taste buds at the late-night street eateries
If you venture out into one of the larger cities of Japan at night, you will find several areas where the streets are lined with numerous bustling street food joints.
The Yatai or the Japanese Street Food Stands will offer you cheap but tasty food along with flavourful drinks. Some of the hot favorites of the locals include the Yakitori, tempura, Gyoza (fried or steamed dumplings), Oden and others.
Some of the areas which are well-known for street food in Japan are Nakasu (Fukuoka), Asakusa Hoppy Street (Tokyo), Kuromon Market (Osaka) etc.
Japan also has a street drinking scene where you grab a few drinks and Yakitori (a Japanese type of skewered chicken) with friends at a Tachinomiya or standing bars facing the street without seating options.
8. Get mesmerized at the Ashikaga Flower Park
The Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi is a breathtaking destination that is sure to leave you mesmerized. With over 350 varieties of wisteria, the park is a true showcase of nature’s beauty.
Visitors can stroll through the picturesque gardens and enjoy the stunning displays of flowers as they bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white.
The park’s signature “Wisteria Tunnel” is a must-visit, and the events of “The tale of Fuji no Hana (wisteria flowers) ”and “The garden of flowers of illuminations” are true mesmerizing experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression. The garden is especially famous for night illumination that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
9. Shop to your delight at the Ginza neighborhood
The Ginza neighborhood in Tokyo is a shopper’s paradise, known for its high-end department stores, luxury fashion brands, and designer boutiques.
While here, you can indulge in a wide range of shopping experiences, from browsing the latest high-tech gadgets and the latest designer collections at luxury boutiques.
Ginza also has a number of charming traditional Japanese shops selling items such as kimonos, pottery, and calligraphy supplies. In addition, Ginza is also famous for its high-end restaurants, cafes and patisseries, making it a perfect spot for evening shopping and dining.
10. Root for the home team for a ballgame at the Tokyo Dome
Baseball fever is truly infectious in Japan and the energy is unmatched anywhere else in the country. Hence, on a trip to Japan, it is a worthwhile experience to catch the game live and feel the local excitement.
For a supercharged night on your Tokyo Tour, head out to the Tokyo Dome, the home ground of the Yomiuri Giants—one of the best-known Japanese teams. You can also dress in orange to be a part of the screaming crowd at Tokyo Dome and enjoy the game like intense enthusiastic fans with a beer in hand!
