Where is Shinjuku Golden Gai?

Shinjuku Golden Gai is located at 1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku.

How do travellers rate Shinjuku Golden Gai?

Shinjuku Golden Gai has an average rating of 5 out of 5 from 5 traveller reviews on WOW U.

Can I visit Shinjuku Golden Gai with a local guide?

Yes. WOW U lists activities around Shinjuku Golden Gai hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area.

WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.

Shinjuku Golden Gai

“Two hundred tiny bars, each a world of its own, in six dark alleys.”

Food & Drink

5.0·5 reviews

1 / 3

Located in the corner pocket of the Kabukicho area of Shinjuku, Golden Gai is a must see for any tourist, even if you don't venture into one of the 200+ swanky little bars that make the area so unique. Each tiny little bar lined up in Golden Gai's narrow alleyway streets varies in its theme and design, and most can only seat a few people at a time, but interesting characters always run the cozy little bars and offer a large range of different Japanese alcoholic beverages; with Japanese whiskey being a tourist favorite.

Photograph provided by Tokyo Convention＆Visitors Bureau

3 experiences in this area

Spot Name	Shinjuku Golden Gai
Postal Code	〒160-0021
Address	1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
Telephone Number	03-3209-6418
Official URL	http://goldengai.jp/
Keywords	Food & Drink

Reviews

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GuestTravelerFebruary 26, 2020
Such a unique experience right in the heart of Tokyo! With over 200 bars to choose from the Golden Gai is a perfect bar-hopping night out venue! Most bars only seat between 5-8 people, which is very intimate and unique for such a central location. This is a great way to experience the Japanese drinking culture and talk to some locals. A perfect place for a group night out - be sure to check when entering the bar if they have seating charges per person or spending minimums as these add up quickly if you are trying to hit a lot of bars in this district. Overall this is a place not to miss!
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GuestTravelerFebruary 4, 2020
With over 200 bars to choose from, Golden Gai is the perfect place for a night out. The dystopian and scruffy looks of this area are probably the source of the bona fine image it projects. What I'm trying to say is that it is great to have a drink or two here and try to chat with the friendly locals and bar owners. Most venues here do not have that many seats so try coming in smaller groups. Also pay attention to the seating charges and other signs as rules differ from place to place.
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GuestTravelerJanuary 24, 2020
The perfect place for a big night out on the drinks, with so many different unique little places to choose from, it's real fun to just order a couple of drinks and speak to the locals and then hop along to another little bar and repeat the cycle. If you like to drink then you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a better place than Golden Gai to do it, while also having an unforgettable experience with your friends or even just the locals.
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GuestTravelerJanuary 22, 2020
Golden Gai is the better-hidden, quiet sister of Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho. With no signs indicating that we were in Golden Gai, I would have definitely struggled to find its exact location if not for a friend who had been there several times before. Lined with small bars that open later during the night, and notices of cover charges taped to the doors, Golden Gai is less for bar hopping and more for chatting with both locals and shop owners, drinking at one's own pace throughout the night and perhaps into the morning.
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GuestTravelerDecember 16, 2019
Pretty spot that shows a variety of real Japanese bars. Nice to visit with friends and very close to the gay district. So get some food and drink here and walk over to some of my favourite spots like Dragon men and Artsy Fartsy