Favorite nightlife district in Tokyo (live, military, club)

[SEAandATL]

Which is your favorite nightlife district in Tokyo? Overall, I think it is a tie between Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi. Shinjuku does not have as many bars/clubs as the other two, but the ones it has are friendly for the most part, although the surrounding Kabukicho area can be a little intimidating. Shinjuku doesn't seem to have as much drama as Roppongi, like drunken fights between military members. In fact I don't see many military people in Shinjuku. It's mostly local Japanese and the foreigners are either English teachers, business people, or tourists. Shibuya is fun too. There are few places in Roppongi that I would go to, but that area is getting a bad rep.

[sponger42]

With regards to nightclubs, Roppongi, hands down.

However, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Bangkok just don't stack up in terms of clubs when compared with Los Angeles, New York, London, or Berlin. The problem is that the club scene initially started with expats and has remained a bad (or at least behind-the-times) immitation of western clubbing style without developing it's own theme and feel.

Right now, clubbing in Asia is second-hat to more local forms of nightlife like night markets or KTV, in which the Asians are far superior.

Going to Shanghai or Tokyo and looking for good clubs is like going to Los Angeles and looking for a good Kareyoke place. You're not gonna find it. For real nightlife, do whatever the locals do.

[5chevin5]

I tend to like Omotesando, Asakasa more...

Roppongi is just silly, and full of punters every night!! It was fun at first, but grew old quickly. If I never go to R6 again...(except Bourbon Street) I will not miss anything.
Shibuya is too young for me...(that even sounds sad as I type it) but The clubs are very amateur in substance in my opinion.
Ginza is way too expensive for what you actually receive.

Most "clubs" to me are not really "clubs", more expensive bars with crappy cocktails and really bad J-Pop...I think I prefer the "Chandelier Bar" most...(thats in Shibuya) or some of the places in the back streets of Omotesando/Harajuku.

5

[RobE]

Americans going to Roppongi looking to party is such a cliche that I've always avoided it. In fact, one of my Japanese friends, who grew up and still lives in Minato Ward, where Roppongi is located, says that the area has kinda become an embarrassment compared to what it was when she was younger. Roppongi Hills is nicer, but still....

I lived in Shinjuku during my first go around in Japan and really enjoyed it. Really good vibe to it and you usually don't have the kind of yahoos that gravitate to Roppongi there. Kabuki-cho is totally not interesting to me, though, especially since some of the Chinese mob has moved into it (I wonder what the Yakuza, who used to run Kabuki-cho as almost a fiefdom, have done about that---some kind of deal to share proceeds perhaps? I don't know).

Have yet to go to Odaiba. Going to have to check that out sometime. Shibuya isn't my scene, though it's cool in its own way.

[leaana]

i think the bar scene in asia is very, very good though, at least from what i experienced in korea and especially japan. they really have a lot of high-class bars, some very spectacular and beautiful in japan's major cities. most of the times people go there for drinks after work to unwind and meet up etc. very nice. i never liked most bars before since they had too much of a grimy feel like ugly pool halls.

[sponger42]

Originally Posted by leaana

i think the bar scene in asia is very, very good though, at least from what i experienced in korea and especially japan. they really have a lot of high-class bars, some very spectacular and beautiful in japan's major cities. most of the times people go there for drinks after work to unwind and meet up etc. very nice. i never liked most bars before since they had too much of a grimy feel like ugly pool halls.

Maybe. I have to admit that my experience leans more toward the less-westernized countries in east asia, rather than Japan and South Korea. I may have let that affect my perception of Japan.

[leaana]

Originally Posted by sponger42

Maybe. I have to admit that my experience leans more toward the less-westernized countries in east asia, rather than Japan and South Korea. I may have let that affect my perception of Japan.

well, it's westernized in a way but there is plenty of asian vibes and twists infused into just about every aspect of the culture or experience. there are a lot of asian elements as well in decor mixed with it. the bars i like the best are the ones that have a lot of zennish style mixed with high-tech. it goes together very well and the slick city lifestyle. i also like the spas they have, some of them are so natural and beautiful. ambiance makes a big difference and it sure is different there. believe me.