Page 59 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

Dive Deep
The shabby alleys and
arcades of Tokyo’s Golden Gai
are home to some of the coun-
try’s moodiest dive bars (p96).
Hidden within this warren-
like area is Albatross (www.
alba-s.com), a legendary
drinking den frequented by
artists, students, expats, and
salary men, who chat away
into the night. In Osaka, seek
out a tachi nomiya, such
Tachinomi Nikou (p221), and
rub shoul ders with Japan’s
Everymen. Tucked into the
gaps in the cityscape, these
modest “standing bars” are
as authentic as can be.

Tending bar at
Ishinohana Bar in
Tokyo’s Golden Gai
Join the Club
Fans of electro-funk, techno, or house music, look no
further – Japan’s got you covered. The stand-out
venue of Tokyo’s Shibuya district (p100) is Womb,
an enormous club throbbing across four floors
(www.womb.co.jp), while Sound Museum
Vision keeps the party pumping (www.
vision-tokyo.com). Dance till dawn at
Nagoya’s sprawling
ID Café (www.idcafe.
Sound Museum info), or join the crowds
Vision in Tokyo’s at Osaka’s Club Joule
Shibuya district (club-joule.com).

INSIDER TIP
Dotonbori
Osaka’s glittering lights
and the extravagant
signage of seemingly
endless bars and restau-
rants are best seen at
night. Take a night
cruise (www.ippon
matsu.co.jp) along the LGBT+ Venues Costumed
canal to suss out where Ni-chome, in Shinjuku, has the highest partygoers
to go, or find out on foot, concentration of gay bars in the world. Take atop a float
with a night walk (www. a nighttime tour with OutAsia Travel to at Tokyo’s
magical-trip.com) hop- discover the best of the 300 bars on offer Pride march
ping from izakaya bar (outasiatravel.com). In Osaka, follow in Lady
to izakaya bar. Gaga’s footsteps and head to Frenz Frenzy
for a night of karaoke (frenz-frenzy.website).
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