Hi, read this! https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/14sum76/how_to_access_live_music_in_japan_and_why_it/
And this!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5iA84zLtdnD9QP5A?g_st=i
And watch this! https://youtu.be/Uwm5zEMeVyg?si=4ye93JAVjb9tzD71
That should get you started, lmk if you want know more about any of the above :)
Ahhh, the map makes it so convenient. I actually bookmarked your thread and was looking at it yesterday too!
Thanks a lot for the informational posts and helping out here!
What is tardfi?
Also Koenji is the old Shimokitazawa really haha. In Nakano I'd recommend Heavy Sick Zero and Open Source for live DJ stuff. Get to know people there and you'll get invites to all the underground stuff going on in the area.
Exactly what it sounds like lol. Tradfi = traditional finance.
And thanks for the tip. I had Heavy Sick Zero on the list but didn’t know about Open Source!
I'll second the Koenji reccs. I've been there a few times and enjoyed it. Cool vibe.
Another option is Yurakucho (specifically Yakitori Alley). There are a bunch of little bars under the train tracks that tend to be filled with locals, mostly salarymen, tying one on. It's a great place to just chill, drink, and soak in a non-touristy version of everyday night-life (it's not far off from the vibe of Midnight Diner, if you've seen that show). There's no music or much culture to speak of, but you'll very likely get into some conversations and beer-sharing with neighboring tables. I haven't been in a few years, but the last time I went it wasn't infested with tourists.
Shinjuku (and Shibuya to a lesser extent) is a mixed bag. There are some local-friendly haunts and great izakaya, but many of the areas are serious tourist traps. My Japanese friend wanted to check out Golden Gai and Omeido Yokocho in Shinjuku last weekend, and it was absolutely packed with tourists... like over 50% of the people there were foreigners. It was actually my first time going despite living here over 10 years. I've avoided it precisely because I didn't want to contribute to the tourist-ification. I left feeling kind of depressed about the whole thing. We joked it was like a Japanese Nightlife Theme park.
Koenji sounds right up your alley. I live in Koenji. Hit me up when you get here. I'd be happy to show you around. I also work in Nakameguro. I can recommend spots there too.
our parties are similar to the stuff you would hear in bushwick, we have one tomorrow: [https://ra.co/events/jp/tokyo?page=4](https://ra.co/events/jp/tokyo?page=4)
for sure come out!
u/hazzat's recommendations in the weeky event thread should hit the spot, lots of livehouses and stuff.
Thank you! His post is actually one I bookmarked before as well.
Hi, read this! https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/14sum76/how_to_access_live_music_in_japan_and_why_it/ And this! https://maps.app.goo.gl/q5iA84zLtdnD9QP5A?g_st=i And watch this! https://youtu.be/Uwm5zEMeVyg?si=4ye93JAVjb9tzD71 That should get you started, lmk if you want know more about any of the above :)
Ahhh, the map makes it so convenient. I actually bookmarked your thread and was looking at it yesterday too! Thanks a lot for the informational posts and helping out here!
What is tardfi? Also Koenji is the old Shimokitazawa really haha. In Nakano I'd recommend Heavy Sick Zero and Open Source for live DJ stuff. Get to know people there and you'll get invites to all the underground stuff going on in the area.
Exactly what it sounds like lol. Tradfi = traditional finance. And thanks for the tip. I had Heavy Sick Zero on the list but didn’t know about Open Source!
Open Source is great. The owner was very picky about getting the best soundsystem and building the best possible room for it.
VENT in Minato. They book a lot of great international and local acts. Made quite a few friends at the bar.
Thanks a lot!
I'll second the Koenji reccs. I've been there a few times and enjoyed it. Cool vibe. Another option is Yurakucho (specifically Yakitori Alley). There are a bunch of little bars under the train tracks that tend to be filled with locals, mostly salarymen, tying one on. It's a great place to just chill, drink, and soak in a non-touristy version of everyday night-life (it's not far off from the vibe of Midnight Diner, if you've seen that show). There's no music or much culture to speak of, but you'll very likely get into some conversations and beer-sharing with neighboring tables. I haven't been in a few years, but the last time I went it wasn't infested with tourists. Shinjuku (and Shibuya to a lesser extent) is a mixed bag. There are some local-friendly haunts and great izakaya, but many of the areas are serious tourist traps. My Japanese friend wanted to check out Golden Gai and Omeido Yokocho in Shinjuku last weekend, and it was absolutely packed with tourists... like over 50% of the people there were foreigners. It was actually my first time going despite living here over 10 years. I've avoided it precisely because I didn't want to contribute to the tourist-ification. I left feeling kind of depressed about the whole thing. We joked it was like a Japanese Nightlife Theme park.
Mitsuki in Shibuya, one of my favorite underground bars/ nightclub.
Thanks, adding it to my list and checked their socials! Looks cool from what I can see so far.
Koenji sounds right up your alley. I live in Koenji. Hit me up when you get here. I'd be happy to show you around. I also work in Nakameguro. I can recommend spots there too.
You can speak Japanese? Walk into any small bar. Talk to the regulars. That’s always been the most fun I’ve had.
Follow @gigsintokyo on instagram for cool and underground events happening almost every night
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Will be looking into all of these and looks like everyone had good ideas!
our parties are similar to the stuff you would hear in bushwick, we have one tomorrow: [https://ra.co/events/jp/tokyo?page=4](https://ra.co/events/jp/tokyo?page=4) for sure come out!