{"id":464,"date":"2023-03-01T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/?p=464"},"modified":"2023-02-16T16:33:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T16:33:53","slug":"a-guide-to-the-golden-gai-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/a-guide-to-the-golden-gai-in-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to the Golden Gai in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When travelling to Toyko, there\u2019s an abundance of activities that you can get up to and plenty of sightseeing. One of those sightseeing spots is the Golden Gai.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it\u2019s your first time in Tokyo or you\u2019ve never heard of the Golden Gai before, then this guide will hopefully provide you with some insight into what it is. We\u2019ve also got some dos\u2019 and don\u2019ts worth knowing if you\u2019re visiting it soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-golden-gai-in-tokyo\">What is the Golden Gai in Tokyo?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Golden Gai was something that started back around 1950 when the black market moved from Shinjuku Sation. While there\u2019s been a lot of modernisation in the area of Shinjuku, this is a place that has remained relatively unchanged in its appearance and way of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Golden Gai means \u2018Golden Block\u2019 in Japanese and is compromised of six alleys. Located in Shinjuku\u2019s Kabukicho red-light district, there are over 200 tightly packed independent bars. The Golden Gai is a unique and exciting location to visit for an authentic Tokyo nightlife experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This nightspot has become legendary in its notoriety and typically comes alive from 8 pm. The alleys themselves are narrow and cramped, so it may not be the best for those who get a little claustrophobic. There are many signs all pointing to various establishments and is dim in its appearance, making it a truly unique sight to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-dos-and-don-ts-for-the-golden-gai-in-shinjuku\">The dos and don\u2019ts for the Golden Gai in Shinjuku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As with any destination you visit, it\u2019s important that as a tourist, you\u2019re respectful of the surroundings and ways of living. After all, this isn\u2019t your home and it\u2019s important to follow the rules of the culture in place. Here are some dos and don\u2019ts for the Golden Gai in Shinjuku worth noting before going to this area of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-aware-of-no-tourist-bars\">Be aware of \u2018no tourist\u2019 bars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem a little rude but it\u2019s important not to take offence if you see a sign saying \u2018no foreigners\u2019 or \u2018no tourists\u2019. This is common in places all over the world and the Golden Gai is included.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you live in a capital city yourself, you may be well aware and appreciative of the hassle that comes with tourists from all over the world. While you may disagree with this rule in place, it\u2019s something that you should adhere to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These signs will be well displayed for you to notice and if you\u2019re worried you will struggle to find any places for tourists to go &#8211; don\u2019t. We\u2019ve got plenty of recommendations that welcome tourists in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Bar Plastic Model &#8211; Nostalgic 80s\/90s-themed bar full of throwback trinkets.<\/li><li>Albatross &#8211; A mix of Edwardian and Gothic decor with a roof terrace.<\/li><li>Ace\u2019s &#8211; Great for first-timers to the Golden Gai and has English-speaking staff.<\/li><li>The Open Book &#8211; Run by award-winning Japanese novelist Komimasa Tanaka and is a great spot for book lovers.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These bars are extremely small, which means you may find yourself wanting to hop from one place to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"consider-enlisting-the-help-of-a-local-guide\">Consider enlisting the help of a local guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re someone who is a little nervous about approaching an area like this one, then it could be worth enlisting the help of a local guide. Local guides are great for navigating unexplored areas that may well benefit from the help of an expert in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/_jFPejT3ZkWMNwbccxnhmtmww4GpBcoKZ68zMsAN5Lo0C6EhhTWX3GJ6O_XB0POTCtOmyK6fo9ccBzFNowg79J6uBsDp-pQFytyzDOJ7VYYTRXGMouK9njpCRao6jt66-NREdpVJ99GkomIlt4qQdaE\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hiring a local guide can be helpful for finding the best bars and those bars that you\u2019re allowed into. It can also be helpful when you\u2019re struggling to translate what\u2019s being offered and what you fancy trying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-a-conscientious-reveller-or-get-chucked-out\">Be a conscientious reveller or get chucked out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you\u2019re going from bar to bar, be mindful of how much you\u2019re drinking. Sure you\u2019re having fun and enjoying your holiday but you should be a conscientious reveller or risk getting chucked out. Those who are running the bars will have no problem with chucking people out who are causing mischief and making other customers uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As this is also a tight alley, you may find the next bars you go to, know about you and refuse entry as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"it-s-cash-only-and-there-s-a-minimum-spend\">It\u2019s cash-only and there\u2019s a minimum spend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Golden Gai is a cash-only area and there are minimum spends that are worth being mindful of when you\u2019re ordering. Be sure to take plenty of cash with you as it\u2019s always better to finish the night once you\u2019re ready to go home &#8211; not when you\u2019ve run out of yen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"there-s-a-no-photographs-rule\">There\u2019s a no photographs rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, while some people do take photos, there is a no photographs rule. If you\u2019re going to take a picture, do it discreetly and be wary of taking photos with people\u2019s faces in them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Japan Rail Planner, our trip planning tool is perfect for rail trips around Japan. If you\u2019re someone who is travelling to Tokyo soon, take advantage of our tool for your travel booking ease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When travelling to Toyko, there\u2019s an abundance of activities that you can get up to and plenty of sightseeing. One of those sightseeing spots is the Golden Gai.&nbsp; If it\u2019s your first time in Tokyo or you\u2019ve never heard of the Golden Gai before, then this guide will hopefully provide you with some insight into&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":465,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/max-anderson-n7MH4jEGVRM-unsplash.jpg?fit=1920%2C1371&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32,"url":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/our-japan-rail-trip-part-1-cool-tokyo-neighbourhoods\/","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":0},"title":"Our Japan Rail Trip - Part 1: Cool Tokyo Neighbourhoods","date":"3rd May 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Before launching Japan Rail Planner, we (the Japan Rail Planner co-founders) travelled around Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. It was an amazing trip and inspired us to make this website to help others plan their perfect trips to Japan. In this multi-part blog series, we'll tell you all about\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Japan Rail Adventures&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Japan-Rail-Trip.png?fit=1000%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":78,"url":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/what-to-do-and-see-in-tokyo\/","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":1},"title":"What to do and see in Tokyo","date":"31st July 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"For many holidaymakers around the world, Tokyo offers the ultimate vacation experience. A city that has to be seen to be believed, Tokyo is one of the most exciting capital cities in the world and a great place for adventure-hungry visitors explore. In Tokyo you\u2019ll experience sights, sounds, scents and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Japan Travel Guides&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Tokyo-Shibuya","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/jezael-melgoza-CudNrzbsyZw-unsplash-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":81,"url":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/follow-englands-rugby-world-cup-fixtures-across-japan-with-a-japan-rail-pass\/","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":2},"title":"Follow England's Rugby World Cup fixtures across Japan with a Japan Rail pass","date":"8th August 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The Rugby World Cup is fast approaching, taking place across September and October in Japan, stretching from Sapporo in Hokkaido through Honshu and down to Kumamoto in Kyushu.\u00a0 We are here with a travel guide on how to follow England to at least 4 of their venues.\u00a0 Group stages England\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Japan Travel Guides&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/rwc2019.jpg?fit=647%2C390&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":460,"url":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/tokyo-at-night-where-to-get-the-best-views-of-tokyo\/","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":3},"title":"Tokyo at night: where to get the best views of Tokyo","date":"16th February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Japan\u2019s capital city is a mixture of neon-lit skyscrapers combined with traditional, historic monuments and temples. It\u2019s a truly insightful experience and if you find yourself in Tokyo, you must take full advantage of the nightlife. There are some great views of Tokyo at night, which is why we\u2019ve put\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Japan Travel Guides&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/jezael-melgoza-layMbSJ3YOE-unsplash-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C779&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":122,"url":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/the-most-extraordinary-restaurants-you-can-visit-in-tokyo\/","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":4},"title":"The Most Extraordinary Restaurants You Can Visit in Tokyo","date":"31st October 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Tokyo is one of the world\u2019s most iconic and incredible cities. Home to nearly 10 million people, it\u2019s visited by millions of tourists every year. 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While Tokyo has everything you could ever want to eat, there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Japan Travel Guides&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/photo-1555407792-997d5ad9c720.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":466,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions\/466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}