Golden Gai is the cool spot in Shinjuku's Kabukicho,
where you've got bars all over the place. Lately, it's been a hit with foreign tourists thanks to its unique and nostalgic atmosphere. Ohatsu!! I’m Master of Tokyo, Musashi. Osoreirimasu! I’m Sanada, ”Kyoto no Tatsujin”. Osoreirimasu! I’m Sanada, ”Kyoto no Tatsujin”. We are Samurai Travel. We use videos and social media to introduce
the captivating places and culture of Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto,
and many other locations, to everyone. In this video, we're going to feature “Golden Gai” ! Golden Gai is like a 5-minute walk from the east side of Shinjuku Station, and it's right in the middle of this busy area with tons of hotels, izakayas, and shops. And hey, it's super close to that Godzilla building! Here are detailed directions: First, exit from the ticket gates at the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. Once you're above ground, walk straight ahead until you see a building called "Shinjuku Alta" and cross the pedestrian crosswalk towards that building. Continue straight, passing by the side of Alta, until you reach a road called "Yasukuni Street." Cross the street at the pedestrian crosswalk. Turn right at the corner where there's a Don Quijote store and proceed along Yasukuni Street. You'll come across a Mister Donut shop on your right, and just to the right of it, there's a small alleyway. Walk straight down that alley, and you'll soon arrive at the entrance to Golden Gai. Getting there is simple, so just follow Google Maps and you'll easily make it! While Golden Gai has become a famous tourist destination in recent times, its history dates back to immediately after World War II. Following the end of the war, some areas within Shinjuku Kabukicho had makeshift stalls in a black market and were plagued by prostitution. During the 1960s, Golden Gai was also known as the 'Literary Circle Bar ' where novelists, film directors, editors, and other intellectuals often gathered. Even today, Golden Gai retains its appeal as a gathering place for people who love movies and music. And since Golden Gai was featured in the Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009, this area also gained popularity among foreign tourists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visitors dwindled, but now, even more tourists are coming compared to before the pandemic. In this section, we'll introduce ways to enjoy Golden Gai. Golden Gai is lined with numerous bars, each with its unique concept and atmosphere. What you can enjoy there, of course, is drinks, meals, and engaging conversations at these bars! Since tourists from all over the world visit, you can have a great time enjoying drinks with people from various backgrounds. The bars offer a wide variety of drinks, including beer, whiskey, wine, and cocktails, but I highly recommend trying Japanese sake. Let me introduce three recommended ways to truly enjoy Golden Gai, Samurai Travel style! In Golden Gai, you should actively engage with the Japanese who are already there! Many of the Japanese who are in Golden Gai are seeking communication with others, especially with foreign tourists. You should definitely talk to the Japanese people and ask them about Japan. But please keep in mind that we Japanese are generally not very proficient in English, so please speak slowly! Japanese people will delight in conversations about anime! Second is Bar Hopping! If you walk into a bar and it doesn't quite suit your fancy, don't worry; you can settle the bill and leave right away! While it's great to linger at a bar you love, Golden Gai has so many unique spots that you should keep bar hopping. If you're unsure, just step into any bar and give it a try. Some bars even have staff dressed as nurses or in gothic Lolita attire! It may seem unusual, but they are not dangerous places. The price of drinks varies depending on the type of alcohol, but generally, it ranges from $3 to about $10 per glass. It's not overly expensive, so don't worry. However, be aware that some places may have a cover charge, usually around $5 or less. If you'd rather avoid it, there are also places without a cover charge, so feel free to ask the staff for details! The third tip is to grab a bite at Omoide Yokocho before heading to Golden Gai! It's the perfect way to kick off your golden hours in Shinjuku. Omoide Yokocho is an area in Shinjuku lined with traditional Japanese izakayas, much like Golden Gai. It has also gained popularity among foreign tourists. Golden Gai is known for its abundance of bars, so it's more about enjoying drinks than having a meal. By starting with a meal in Omoide Yokocho before heading to Golden Gai, you can efficiently visit two of Japan's hotspots in one go! Omoide Yokocho is just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's West Exit. From there, Golden Gai is also quite close, and you can reach it in about a 5-minute walk. In Japan, the term 'shime' refers to the last thing you eat after drinking or dining. And for some reason, there's a culture in Japan where people have ramen as their 'shime.' Even Japanese people don't fully understand why they do this, but one thing's for sure – ramen is delicious, so everyone should give it a try! In Golden Gai, there's a famous ramen shop called 'Nagi' where you can enjoy some great ramen. To fully enjoy Golden Gai, there are a few things you need to keep in mind! There are also some tips and points that only the locals know, so listen up! Many of the bars in Golden Gai have cover charges. Think of it as a substitute for tipping, so please bear with it. It's usually around $3 to $5, after all! By the way, in Japanese izakayas, there's a culture called 'Otoshi.' It's somewhat similar to a cover charge, but instead of taking money for it, they serve you a small appetizer. The key difference is that 'Otoshi' is a gesture of hospitality where they offer you a snack as part of the cover charge, rather than simply taking extra money. So, don't think of it as an additional charge! In Golden Gai, there are members-only bars. There are signs in English at the entrance with instructions, so you won't get it wrong. Just make sure to read and follow those signs! Golden Gai is a compact area with bars lined up closely, which means most bars are small in size. There's a chance you won't be able to enter with a suitcase. We recommend leaving your luggage behind at your hotel hotel and coming dressed lightly for a more enjoyable experience. The bars in Golden Gai are seriously tiny, so if you were Dwayne Johnson, you might want to reconsider visiting Golden Gai. Golden Gai is truly a mysterious, unique, and charming area. If you want to experience a Tokyo night like no other, be sure to check it out. You'll have an absolutely enjoyable night for sure! We've also included some recommended bars in the overview, so be sure to give them a try! In this channel, we will continue to introduce various unique places in Japan and share travel tips in the future. If you're interested in Japan, planning to travel, or just curious about interesting places, be sure to subscribe to our channel!
