Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Take the east exit
On a Friday or Saturday night, the world's busiest train station is particularly
busy - and just about everyone is heading to the east exit for Shinjuku's in-
famous nightlife. From the east exit, follow the station signs for Kabukichō.
When you emerge, you should see the glowing screen of Studio Alta, Shin-
juku's de facto meeting spot.
Bask in the lights of Yasukuni-dōri
This is East Shinjuku's main drag, where
izakaya
(Japanese-style pubs) are
stacked several stories high, along with karaoke joints, all-night noodle shops,
convenience stores and acres of neon. Touts for bars and restaurants stalk the
sidewalks, waving menus and handing out coupons, the cries of:
Izakaya ik-
aga desu ka
? ('How about an izakaya?') rising above the din.
Tiptoe through Kabukichō
North of Yasukuni-dōri is the neighbourhood of Kabukichō, Tokyo's most no-
torious red-light district. The entrance is marked by a red electric
torii
(gate).
Here, it's wall-to-wall hostess (and host!) clubs - bars where pretty people are
employed to heap compliments and expensive drinks on customers - cabarets
and love hotels. It's generally safe to walk through, though we don't recom-
mend going alone (or going inside anywhere).
Take a swing at Oslo Batting Centre
An odd oasis of wholesome fun,
Oslo Batting Center
(
www.oslo.ecweb.jp
;
2nd fl,
Oslo Bldg, 2-34-5 Kabukichō, Shinjuku-ku; 10am-1am; JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, east
exit)
offers another way to blow off steam in Kabukichō. It's ¥300 for 20
pitches if you feel like taking a swing. There's an arcade on the ground floor.
