{"id":9904,"date":"2019-08-30T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T06:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=9904"},"modified":"2021-04-30T09:32:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T07:32:31","slug":"golden-gai-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/golden-gai-tokyo","title":{"rendered":"Shinjuku&#8217;s Golden Gai: Best bars and how to get there"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Golden Gai comprises <strong>six alleys in Shinjuku\u2019s Kabukicho red-light district<\/strong> that are lined with over 200 tightly packed independent bars and is an ideal location to <strong>experience authentic Tokyo nightlife<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, Golden Gai <strong>offers the chance to meet and share a drink with friendly locals<\/strong>, as well as to experience some of Tokyo\u2019s forgotten architectural heritage.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_is_the_Golden_Gai\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What is the Golden Gai?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_get_to_the_Golden_Gai\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> How to get to the Golden Gai<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_best_bars_in_Golden_Gai\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> The best bars in Golden Gai<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Zucca\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.1<\/span> Zucca<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Albatross\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.2<\/span> Albatross<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Champion\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.3<\/span> Champion<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Kenzos_Bar\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.4<\/span> Kenzo\u2019s Bar<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Happy_Bar\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.5<\/span> Happy Bar<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bar_Darling\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.6<\/span> Bar Darling<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Deathmatch_in_Hell\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.7<\/span> Deathmatch in Hell<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Orange_Prince\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.8<\/span> Orange Prince<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Aces\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.9<\/span> Ace\u2019s<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#La_Jetee\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">3.10<\/span> La Jet\u00e9e<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Golden_Gai_etiquette\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Golden Gai etiquette<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_the_Golden_Gai\">What is the Golden Gai?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Golden Gai housed Tokyo\u2019s black market during the 1950s, and prostitution during the 1960s. It has been described as \u201c<em>a collection of mismatched, tumbledown bars lining alleyways in a darkened corner of Shinjuku\u201d.<\/em>\u00a0Unlike much of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/cities\/tokyo-travel-guide\">Tokyo<\/a>, the Golden Gai does not glitter with neon lights. It <strong>hearkens back to a distant time when Japan was still recovering from the ravages of World War II<\/strong>. It offers a rare glimpse of Tokyo\u2019s architectural heritage, most of which was consumed by the 1923 earthquake, the fires of war, or twentieth-century economic development.<\/p>\n<p>The Golden Gai houses <strong>over 200 bars<\/strong>, some of which lie upstairs, a floor above their intoxicating companions. Some of the structures are only a few feet wide. You will literally rub shoulders with other customers in many establishments &#8211; for this reason, the Golden Gai is considered <strong>one of the friendliest places to meet people in all Tokyo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Golden Gai is similar in atmosphere to the nearby <strong>Omoide Yokocho<\/strong>, which means \u201c<em>Memory Lane<\/em>\u201d. Colloquially called \u201c<em>Piss Alley<\/em>\u201d, this small street is lined with tiny yakitori stands and other small restaurants sandwiched alongside one another.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_to_get_to_the_Golden_Gai\">How to get to the Golden Gai<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Golden Gai<\/strong> is a few minutes walk from the east exit of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shinjuku-station\"><strong>Shinjuku Station<\/strong><\/a>, located <strong>between the Hanazono Shrine and the Shinjuku City Office<\/strong>. If you go by train you can use your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a> to get to Shinjuku Station on any of these JR lines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/yamanote-line\"><strong>Yamanote line<\/strong><\/a>: Shinjuku station is between Shin Okubo and Yoyogi stops.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/chuo-sobu-line\"><strong>Chuo line<\/strong><\/a>: Shinjuku station is located between Yotsuya and Nakano stops.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/chuo-sobu-line\"><strong>Chuo-Sobu line<\/strong><\/a>: Shinjuku station is located between Okubo and Yoyogi stops.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/narita-express\"><strong>Narita Express line<\/strong><\/a>: Shinjuku station is located between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/ikebukuro-station\">Ikebukuro Station<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shibuya-station\">Shibuya Station<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/getting-around-tokyo-metro#JR_lines_in_Tokyo\"><strong>Shonan-Shinjuku line<\/strong><\/a>: As above, between Ikebukuro and Shibuya stops.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/getting-around-tokyo-metro#JR_lines_in_Tokyo\"><strong>Saikyo line<\/strong><\/a>: Same as in the last two cases, between Ikebukuro and Shibuya stops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once at Shinjuku station, take the <strong>east exit of the station<\/strong> and <strong>walk east to Golden Gai<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d3240.398939404355!2d139.70031336555104!3d35.691799236999145!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e2!4m5!1s0x60188cd0d6b1ba1f%3A0x1c32a1f1ecacfdd5!2sShinjuku%20Station%2C%203%20Chome-38%20Shinjuku%2C%20Tokio%2C%20Jap%C3%B3n!3m2!1d35.6897376!2d139.70039119999998!4m5!1s0x60188cd96586b9af%3A0x71a5c0e1150c1a8f!2sShinjuku%20Golden%20Gai%2C%201-ch%C5%8Dme-1-6%20Kabukich%C5%8D%2C%20Shinjuku%20City%2C%20T%C5%8Dky%C5%8D-to%20160-0021%2C%20Jap%C3%B3n!3m2!1d35.693777499999996!2d139.7046129!5e0!3m2!1ses!2ses!4v1567068486864!5m2!1ses!2ses\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<p>If you go by subway (not covered by JR Pass), take the E2 exit from <strong>Shinjuku-Sanchome station<\/strong> of the Marunouchi, Fukutoshin and Toei-Shinjuku <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/maps\">subway lines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_best_bars_in_Golden_Gai\">The best bars in Golden Gai<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you feel somewhat intimidated by the vast number of establishments to choose from, try out one of our top picks, below.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Zucca\">Zucca<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Zucca is the Italian word for \u201cpumpkin,\u201d sports <strong>Halloween-themed decor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9917\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9917\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9917\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/zucca-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Zucca bar at Golden Gai, Shinjuku\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/zucca-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/zucca-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/zucca-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zucca bar at Golden Gai, Shinjuku<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-9 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Albatross\">Albatross<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>Gothic-style bar with gilded mirrors and chandeliers<\/strong>, Albatross is rumored to have once been a brothel. The bar has <strong>two floors and a roof terrace<\/strong>. The cover charge is about $5.00 U.S.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9932\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9932\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9932\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/albatross-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Albatross bar at Golden Gai, Tokyo\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/albatross-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/albatross-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/albatross-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9932\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Albatross bar in Golden Gai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-7 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Champion\">Champion<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Champion is famous for its <strong>karaoke, as well as its \u201cone coin\u201d 500 yen drinks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9937\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9937\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9937\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/champion-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Champion bar, Shinjuku, Tokyo\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/champion-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/champion-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/champion-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9937\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside Champion bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-10 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Kenzos_Bar\">Kenzo\u2019s Bar<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u201c<strong>Leopard print wallpaper, 80s music, and alcohol<\/strong>\u201d &#8211; what more can we say? The actor\/screenwriter bar owner welcomes international tourists. The cover charge is less than $5.00 U.S.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9942\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9942\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/kenzo-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Kenzo's Bar, Golden Gai, Shinjuku\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/kenzo-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/kenzo-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/kenzo-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9942\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Quiet night inside Kenzo&#8217;s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1 Chome Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Happy_Bar\">Happy Bar<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Featuring <strong>vintage rock, soul, and blues music<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9950\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9950\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9950\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/happy-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Happy bar, Golden Gai, Shinjuku\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/happy-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/happy-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/happy-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9950\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Behind the bar of Happy bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Bar_Darling\">Bar Darling<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Bar Darling offers an escape from the male-dominated establishments, with <strong>female bar staff catering to female clientele<\/strong>. Relax with fairy lights, over 100 drink choices, and the occasional local celebrity.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9922\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9922\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9922\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bar-darling-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Bar Darling, Golden Gai\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bar-darling-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bar-darling-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bar-darling-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9922\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Darling Bar entrance, Shinjuku, Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-6 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Deathmatch_in_Hell\">Deathmatch in Hell<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Catering to death metal music fans, this bar features <strong>loud music and no cover charge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9961\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9961\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9961\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/deathmatch-in-hell-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Deatchmatch in Hell, Golden Gai's bar\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/deathmatch-in-hell-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/deathmatch-in-hell-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/deathmatch-in-hell-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9961\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside Deathmatch in Hell &#8211; Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/user\/TTVRaptor\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">TTVRaptor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: Jap\u00f3n, \u3012160-0021 T\u014dky\u014d-to, Shinjuku City, Kabukich\u014d, 1-ch\u014dme\u22121\u22128 \u65b0\u5bbf\u30b4\u30fc\u30eb\u30c7\u30f3\u8857\uff13\u756a\u8857 goldengai 3rd st. 1-1-8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Orange_Prince\">Orange Prince<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Orange Prince, also commonly known as <strong>Bitter Orange<\/strong>, is open until 5 am and offers a variety of wine, beer, and cocktails.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9966\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9966\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/orange-prince-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Orange Prince bar at Golden Gai, tokyo\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/orange-prince-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/orange-prince-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/orange-prince-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9966\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Orange Prince bar sign inside the bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-7 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Aces\"><strong>Ace\u2019s<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tourist-friendly, this bar has <strong>no cover charge, an English-speaking staff<\/strong>, and all drinks are priced at around $7.00 U.S.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9971\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9971\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9971\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ace-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Ace's bar at Golden Gai in Shinjuku\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ace-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ace-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/ace-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9971\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ace&#8217;s bar at Golden Gai in Shinjuku<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-9 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"La_Jetee\">La Jet\u00e9e<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Named in honor of the 1962 science fiction film Chris Marker, this bar is a meeting place for disciples of French cinema and the Nouvelle Vague movement. Frequented by film directors such as Tarantino or Wenders, it is the <strong>ideal place for filmmakers and artists<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9976\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9976\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-9976\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/la-jetee-bar-golden-gai-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"La Jet\u00e9e bar, Golden Gai\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/la-jetee-bar-golden-gai.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/la-jetee-bar-golden-gai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/la-jetee-bar-golden-gai-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9976\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside La Jet\u00e9e bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adress<\/strong>: 1-ch\u014dme-1-8 Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku City, T\u014dky\u014d-to 160-0021, Jap\u00f3n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Golden_Gai_etiquette\">Golden Gai etiquette<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most bars in the Golden Gai open about 9 pm. Some open as early as 5:30 pm. Remember the following restrictions while in the alleys of the Golden Gai:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No smoking or drugs<\/li>\n<li>No loitering<\/li>\n<li>No shouting or singing<\/li>\n<li>No alcoholic beverages outside of the bars<\/li>\n<li>No taking photographs or videos without permission, especially if these include people\u2019s faces<\/li>\n<li>No climbing on buildings or fences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some bars have cover charges, while others do not. Cover charges will be clearly indicated on the bar\u2019s door. Some also have \u201csleeping charges\u201d of about $50.00 U.S., if you pass out and forget to return to your accommodations. <strong>Most bars accept cash only<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Because the bars are small and have limited seating, some post signs reading \u201cregulars only\u201d, \u201cno tourists\u201d, or \u201cno foreigners\u201d. Be aware of these signs, and respect them. Don\u2019t worry &#8211; <strong>plenty of the bars are foreigner friendly<\/strong>. If you see a menu in English, you can confidently head on in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Golden Gai comprises six alleys in Shinjuku\u2019s Kabukicho red-light district that are lined with over 200 tightly packed independent bars and is an ideal location to experience authentic Tokyo nightlife. Just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, Golden Gai offers the chance to meet and share a drink with friendly locals, as well as to experience some of Tokyo\u2019s forgotten architectural heritage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[],"acf":{"pageresume":"What is the Golden Gai? How do you get there? What should you do (or not do) while you are there? We\u2019ve scraped together the savory and seedy details in this Golden Gai travel guide.","bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","shortcodes":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shinjuku&#039;s Golden Gai: Best bars and how to get there - Japan Rail Pass<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the Golden Gai in the Shinjuku\u2019s Kabukicho red light district. 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