Nightlife

Neon pulses through the metropolis and the city comes out to play

As the sun sets, the neon lights flicker on, and Tokyo's after-dark alter ego kicks in. More relaxed and care-free than its busy, conformist daytime counterpart, the evening is the time to kick back and let your hair down. From the bright lights and bustle of downtown Shibuya and the sleek skyscrapers and glitzy allure of the Marunouchi and Ginza districts to late-night art galleries, lively izakaya, fine dining and alfresco events, Tokyo's nightlife scene is about more than just pubs and clubs—although it has plenty of those too.

What's on

Tokyo has a lively event schedule with many either held exclusively in the evening or running through until late. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government building—a city landmark—is the backdrop to year-round projection mapping, and many other places in Tokyo are also lit up. Before you arrive, check websites like Tokyo Projection Mapping and Tokyo Night Story to find out what's going on while you are in town.
Light up events and Christmas markets are a staple in winter, while cherry blossom season is the time to enjoy the illuminated trees in parks until late. Other events include sake festivals, beer festivals, live music events, firework displays, and traditional summer festivals—many of which are surprisingly high-spirited.

Projection mapping on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Rooftop bars and high-rise dining

With hot, humid summers and sometimes unpredictable weather, open-air rooftop bars can be hard to find, but Tokyo more than makes up for this with its endless selection of city-view bars and restaurants on the top floors of its many skyscrapers. Naturally, these tend to be more upscale than your average venue. Ginza and Marunouchi are particularly glitzy areas for drinking and dining.

Tokyo's nightscape, as seen from a skyscraper

Late-night attractions

Aquariums, art galleries, museums and other iconic Tokyo attractions often stay open through into the evening. Among some of the most popular are the Mori Art Museum, Sumida Aquarium and Tokyo Tower. More centrally located than the Skytree, you can easily combine an evening visit to Tokyo Tower with a dinner cruise or pleasure boat ride in Tokyo Bay, or drinks in one of the nearby nightspots like Ebisu. Check the official website for information about admission to the observatory at the very top of the tower.

Mori Art Museum entrance

Yakatabune pleasure boats in Tokyo Bay

Rub shoulders with the locals

Explore the lanes and alleys of downtown areas like Shinbashi, Shinjuku, Ebisu and Akabane to find pockets of small restaurants and bars popular with locals. Try monja-yaki, a Tokyo specialty, in Tsukishima or wander under the overhead train tracks in areas like Yurakucho and Kanda to find popular after-work watering holes. Down to earth and relatively inexpensive, these are a cheap and cheerful way to experience the city like a local.

Akabane's drinking district

An izakaya in a narrow alley

Party until the early hours

You'll find bars and clubs scattered throughout Tokyo, but the biggest and liveliest nightlife scenes are in Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku. Roppongi attracts a large international crowd and plays host to the lion's share of Tokyo nightclubs. The vibe in Shibuya is a bit more hip and a little less mainstream. Shinjuku bustles with crowds until dawn, from the tiny bars of Shinjuku Golden Gai to the large shopping establishments of Kabukicho.

Roppongi's streetscape

Shinjuku Golden Gai