Are you wondering, “Where in Tokyo is Kabukicho, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts, located?” and “What are the charms and characteristics of Kabukicho?” Kabukicho is one of the most famous Japanese entertainment districts.
This article will also explain popular spots to visit in Kabukicho and how to get there from Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station. If you are thinking of visiting Kabukicho when you come to Japan, please refer to this article.
■Characteristics of Tokyo’s “Kabukicho”, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts
Kabukicho, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is one of the three major entertainment districts, along with Susukino in Hokkaido and Nakasu in Fukuoka.
It is famous overseas as one of the largest entertainment districts in Asia. Even if you have never been to Kabukicho, you may know the name of Kabukicho.
Shinjuku is also known as the “city that never sleeps” and is crowded with people even at night. There are many establishments that cater to customers of a specific gender, such as cabaret clubs, adult entertainment , and host clubs. There are also many unique shops, including LGBT-friendly bars.
■Difference between red light district and downtown area
“red light district” means something pleasant and fun. In other words, the red light district is a city full of entertainment and fun. This is a town where many restaurants and amusement facilities that serve alcohol are concentrated. It is also called “Neon Street”.
“Downtown” means crowded with many people, so a place where people gather is called a downtown area.
“Enjoyment district” and “downtown district” have slightly different meanings. Shinjuku can be described as both an entertainment district and a downtown area, as it fits both meanings. However, when it comes to Kabukicho, many people have a strong image of it as an entertainment district. It is famous as one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts.
■Access to Tokyo’s Kabukicho, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts
The address and access to Tokyo’s Kabukicho, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts, are as follows.
The address is “Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.” It’s not a common name.
If you are traveling by train, get off at Shinjuku Station or Seibu-Shinjuku Station and walk for about 4 minutes.
Access from Haneda Airport to Kabukicho
If you are traveling by car, such as a rental car or taxi, you can get from Haneda Airport to Kabukicho in about 30 minutes.
By train, it takes 40 to 50 minutes from Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3 to Kabukicho.
First, let’s go to Hamamatsucho on the Tokyo Monorail. After that, go to Shinjuku Station by one of two routes. Once you arrive at Shinjuku Station, you can reach Kabukicho in 5 minutes on foot.
The means of transportation and time required to travel from Haneda Airport to Kabukicho are as follows.
Access from Tokyo Station to Kabukicho
If you are traveling from Tokyo Station to Kabukicho by car, it will take about 20 minutes. It’s much closer to Haneda Airport.
Also, it takes 15 to 30 minutes to travel from Tokyo Station to Kabukicho by train. Travel time will vary depending on which route you take.
When traveling long distances by Shinkansen, go to Kabukicho from Tokyo Station.
The means of transportation and time required to travel from Tokyo Station to Kabukicho are as follows.
■7 recommended spots in Tokyo’s “Kabukicho”, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts
We have carefully selected seven recommended spots in Tokyo’s Kabukicho, one of Japan’s three major entertainment districts.
● Shinjuku Golden Gai
● KUJIRA ENTERTAINMENT
● ZEROTOKYO
● Bearded Girl [okama bar]
● Magic Bar CUORE Shinjuku Branch
● Teruma hot water
● TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku
Next, we will introduce each of the above recommended spots in detail.
①Shinjuku Golden Gai
Shinjuku Golden Gai is full of small bars and snack bars. It is a corner lined with over 280 shops.
It has changed little by little, but it still retains the Showa retro atmosphere. It’s a place where you can feel the history of Japan, and some reviews say they’ve seen many foreigners there as well.
The address and business hours of Shinjuku Golden Gai are as follows.
② KUJIRA ENTERTAINMENT
It is an entertainment bar that hosts various shows and events every day. The theme is “Residents of the Future World,” and you can enjoy an exciting experience by making full use of VR and CG.
You can also see many reviews from foreigners on some tourist sites. Recommended if you want to enjoy modern entertainment as opposed to Shinjuku Golden Gai.
The address and business hours of KUJIRA ENTERTAINMENT are as follows.
③ ZEROTOKYO
This club is located in a new building built in April 2023. It has a top-of-the-line sound system, and there were reviews saying that the sound was good.
This place changes its name during the day and night. It operates as “Zepp Shinjuku” during the day and “ZEROTOKYO” at night.
The address and business hours of ZEROTOKYO are as follows. It is spread over 4 floors.
④ Beard Girl [okama bar]
It’s an interesting shop where all the staff members are male “okamas” dressed as women who serve customers. There are show times twice a day at 19:00 and 22:00.
If you are interested, please make a reservation using the web form on the official website.
Hige Girl’s address and business hours are as follows.
⑤Magic Bar CUORE Shinjuku store
If you want to have a drink while watching magic, go to Magic Bar CUORE.
It has 100 seats and can be reserved for private use. For birthdays and anniversaries, there are also performances where birthday cakes and message cards are created using magic.
Like Hige Girl, there is a web form, so if you have a fixed date and time, make a reservation.
The address and business hours of Magic Bar CUORE Shinjuku store are as follows.
⑥ Teruma hot water
It is a valuable spot where you can soak in a natural hot spring in the middle of Tokyo, the central city of Japan.
It’s such an attractive spot that some foreigners say, “It’s fully equipped with Wi-Fi and restaurants, so you can stay there all day without getting bored.” If you’re tired of a night out in the red-light district, stop by.
The address and business hours of Therma-yu are as follows.
⑦TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku
This is a relatively new movie theater that started operating in April 2015. The Godzilla head is the symbol of the building, and it may be a famous photo spot.
In addition, it has been designed to allow you to watch movies comfortably. If you have extra time during the day, it might be a good idea to watch a movie.
The address and business hours of TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku are as follows.
■If you are visiting Japan, be sure to visit Kabukicho, one of the three major entertainment districts in Tokyo.
If you really want to have fun in Japan, why not visit Kabukicho, one of the three major entertainment districts in Tokyo? There are shops with a unique atmosphere and the latest entertainment facilities.
Shinjuku is also a downtown area, so you can shop during the day and enjoy the Kabukicho corner of the city at night. In addition to the seven recommended spots, there are many other places where you can enjoy hosting, cabaret clubs, and sex entertainment.
When visiting Tokyo, Japan, be sure to visit Kabukicho in Shinjuku, Tokyo. You are sure to have an experience that will make your trip memorable.
Q&A
Q.Where are the three major entertainment districts in Japan?
Japan’s three major entertainment districts are Kabukicho in Tokyo, Susukino in Hokkaido, and Nakasu in Fukuoka.
Q. Is Shinjuku “Kabukicho” easily accessible?
Access to Shinjuku’s “Kabukicho” is good. It can be reached within an hour from either Haneda Airport or Tokyo Station.
