“Charcoal smoke and postwar grit packed into one tight alley.”
The Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho (lit. Memories Alley) off the western exit (Nishiguchi) of Shinjuku station is filled with cozy bars and pubs. Just after the war when it was difficult to come by high-quality meat, the shops in this area used to grill offal. Today you can still find offal and chicken restaurants that are reminiscent of this period. There are also shops selling dagashi crackers. Rubbing shoulders with locals and enjoying drinks in the small restaurants is a unique Tokyo experience.
Photograph provided by Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau
| Spot Name | Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho |
|---|---|
| Postal Code | 〒160-0023 |
| Address | 1-2 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo |
| Telephone Number | none |
| Official URL | http://shinjuku-omoide.com/ |
| Keywords | Entertainment, Food & Drink |
Approx. ¥2,000 / guest
Tokyo
Approx. ¥2,000 / guest
Approx. ¥4,000 / guest
by Junyu SatohApprox. ¥5,000 / guest
It was a beautifully decorated road with food stalls and restaurants. When I went, there were only a few stalls opened (12:15 pm). I would just recommend double checking if there is a specific food stall/restaurant that you're wanting to go to is open.
One of Japan's "Yokochos" or alleys, this one feels particularly authentic. You really do get the impression that not a lot has changed since the place was initially established. Don't worry about going into a specific bar as all of them offer similar drinks and skewers. Might be a little hard to get a spot during the evening hours so come earlier or be prepared to wait. While the "rubbing shoulders with the locals" is part of the charm of this place, I would not recommend this place if you prefer more spacious venues and are sensitive about personal space. Also here you especially feel the might of the language barrier so come with a Japanese speaking friend if possible. Besides that very authentic and absolutely worth spending an hour or two in the evening here.
A great place to spend the night and grab some authentic Japanese food and alcohol. This is truly a cultural experience and one of the most exciting alleyways in all of Tokyo. Spanning about 100m and absolutely packed with small, intimate bars and restaurants that mainly seat around 10 people, you can walk up and down until you find a place that is right for you, or a place that isn't full. Since each place is so tiny and intimate, the people in them are very welcoming and friendly and so whether you are going it alone or with friends it will be a very enjoyable night filled with good food, good drink and good conversation.
If you're a fan of narrow alleys with great-smelling foods and a desire to do as the locals do, then Omoide Yokocho is the place for you. The bright lights, lanterns and flower decorations that line the streets are a huge contrast to Shinjuku's not-too-far-away Golden Gai, a quieter, more intimate scene. With the area having started out as a black market right after World War II and the name roughly translating to Memory Lane, it is a place where one can enjoy some yakitori and motsuyaki, reliving the nostalgia that no doubt surrounds the air.
