Womb: The Ultimate Night Out in Tokyo

One of Shibuya’s legendary clubs, Womb is where local and international artists bring the magic, and the dancefloor pulls you into a trance. Part of the same group as Harlem, this clubbing wonderland spans four floors and hosts one of Tokyo’s most famous New Year’s countdown events. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

What sets Womb apart?

Tucked away in one of Shibuya’s backstreets, alongside other nightclubs, you might be wondering: what makes Womb stand out from the rest? Well, that’s easy. Womb is one of Shibuya’s original nightclubs that has maintained its cultural relevance since 2000. From its inception, Womb has built its reputation as the place to go to discover great electronic music.

This legacy is solidified by the fact that Womb is global, bringing Tokyo’s unique club scene overseas through special nights at famous venues such as Fabric in London and Space Ibiza in Spain.

Love for local

Womb has never been a chart-based club, but rather an underground dance-music space that focuses on techno, house, and drum and bass. Before the coronavirus pandemic, top overseas artists would grace the decks almost every weekend, and the club held special parties centered around their visits. While Womb still features popular international DJs, the club has pivoted to showcase more of the superb domestic talent in Japan — including artists, organizers, and party communities.

As part of this effort, Womb has launched new parties with line-ups of exclusively domestic artists, such as DJ NOBU Resident Party Reprise, and HARUKA Resident Party Protection. The club’s efforts to perfect the contemporary party have ultimately futureproofed their experience — with the local-focused events now among their signature offerings.

Pro tip: Womb’s weekday party WTW (currently held every Wednesday and Thursday), which started in 2022, features a wide range of local artists from freshmen to veterans, providing a great way to dive into the local scene.

International flavor

Womb regularly invites world-renowned DJs to perform. Additionally, the club has a strong focus on collaborating with new organizers and party crews. Essentially, they book amazing up-and-coming overseas artists and introduce them on the Tokyo decks.

What all of this means is that no matter when you go, you’ll always have the chance to discover something both new and familiar. Even the Womb staff are eager to connect with clubgoers and have fun, chatting about all things music.

And the club’s set-up is a whole production, with a high-quality sound system and state-of-the-art lighting and lasers. Notably, the president of the club travels around the world to find cutting-edge equipment — all to curate an unforgettable music experience for each person who walks through the door.

Who is Womb for?

Everyone and anyone who loves raving to techno, house, and electro. Womb has a loyal fanbase of Tokyoites who visit each week. Many foreign residents and tourists also choose Womb because of its international reputation and vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

Womb is a great entry point for those new to Tokyo’s clubbing scene, as it offers both a laid-back and exhilarating experience.

Events at Womb in Shibuya

Nearly every week, Womb hosts a special event featuring different guest artists and DJs. But the club’s most iconic night by far is its New Year Countdown.

Costing ¥6,500 in advance and ¥8,000 at the door until 1 a.m., this epic event brings the world-class production and talent needed to kick off the new year on a strong note. Every year, the event is packed, so expect immaculate vibes as the buzzed crowd rings in the new year.

Womb Presents New Year Countdown to 2025

Dates:31st Dec, 2024

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥6,500	At the door: ¥8,000

Venue:

Womb

Womb’s facilities

The club boasts four distinct floors, each providing a unique experience and perspective.

Womb Lounge

With its underground, grunge-inspired interior, the Womb Lounge on the basement floor transports you to another dimension. The deep vibrations of the music trigger your senses, making you feel as though the sound is flowing through your body.

Main Floor

The main floor is the heart of the party. The strong bass, mesmerising laser lights and digital projections will hypotnize you and keep you on the dancefloor all night. When you’re ready for a break, head to the bar at the back to top up on drinks.

Note that this the only section of the club that you cannot smoke in.

Premium Lounge

If you want to party in private, the Premium Lounge is the place for you. For an additional ¥5,000 per person, you can relax and enjoy the music at a private table for 2 hours.

Situated directly above the main floor, this luxurious lounge features comfortable couches, complimentary snacks, and a private bar. For the ultimate experience, why not order a bottle to your table? There’s everything from champagne and wine to Scotch whisky — a fantastic lineup of refreshments. Prices range from ¥11,000 to ¥180,000.

VIP Floor

On the top floor, the VIP area offers a more intimate and exclusive experience. Despite the name, it’s open to all guests.

With sleek stone seating, a small bar, and a compact dancefloor featuring DJ decks, the VIP space feels like a private party and provides a different vibe compared to the main floor. This is a great space if you’re looking for a more casual atmosphere, where you can stand and chat with people more easily.

Other things to know

Womb is fully stocked with a variety of drinks to keep you going throughout the night. Prices start around ¥500 for soft drinks, ¥600 for shots and ¥800 for beers and cocktails.

Among the most popular drinks to order at Womb — available from any of the bars — are premium Japanese whiskeys such as Hakushu, Hibiki, and Yamazaki, as well as a sepcial lineup of Mezcals.

Throughout the venue, you can use credit cards and electronic payment methods like Suica and PayPay.

On top of this, WOMB are collaborating with legendary DJ Richie Hawtin, to produce a special limited-edition sake “RICHIE HAWTIN X WOMB X Sake Brewery”. This will be available in 2025, for Womb’s 25th anniversary.

For those who want to leave their belongings somewhere, there are 300 coin lockers inside the venue. These range in price between ¥300 to ¥600. There is also a cloakroom, which costs ¥500 to use.

Womb FAQs

Where can I purchase an advance ticket to Womb?

Although you don’t always need an advance ticket, you will for some events such as the Countdown Party.

Can those under the age of 20 enter the venue?

During club hours, those who are under 20 are not allowed to enter the venue. ID checks will happen at the door, so make sure to have some on you. Note that the drinking age in Japan is 20.