Kaiju Sakaba Shimbashi (Monster Bar)

Fans of Japanese retro superheroes and ailens — especially Ultraman — won’t want to miss this hidden gem inside Shimbashi Station. Kaiju Sakaba is a nostalgic tribute, bringing the world of tokusatsu villians to life through themed food, drinks, and decor.

What’s Kaiju Sakaba Shimbashi?

For those unfamiliar with the term, tokusatsu refers to a genre of Japanese live-action films and TV shows that heavily feature special effects. Within this genre, “kaiju” refers to the giant monsters in these iconic films — think Godzilla. This bar pays tribute to that cinematic legacy, showcasing vintage posters and life-sized models of some of the monsters.

Not only is the interior inspired by the film genre, but the menu itself is too. You’ll find items like Gatanothor “Evil God Squid Ink Spaghetti” and Zetton “Strongest Soup Curry”, along with many other monster-shaped main and tapas-style dishes.

On the distillery side, you’ll find just about every alcoholic drink you can think of — but the bar’s specialty is its wide variety of highballs. We ordered the bright blue Megaton highball for ¥930, and it was indeed mega.

If you visit after 3 p.m., note that there’s a seating charge of ¥400. Before you even step inside, you’ll have to put your hand into one of the Monster’s mouths — some kind of test, apparently?

Before 3 p.m., there’s a special lunch menu that starts at ¥780. It’s slightly cheaper but offers fewer choices, with dishes still inspired by classic monsters though.

It’s also worth noting that some of the special food dishes and drinks (like the Megaton highball) come with a free gift — a monster-themed coaster. Speaking of gifts, there’s a small shop at the front where you can pick up souvenirs — keyrings, and even the Ultraman beer glasses used at the bar.

What to know before you visit Kaiju Sakaba Shimbashi

Do you need reservations for Kaiju Sakaba Shimbashi?

You don’t need a reservation, but keep in mind that place can get busy — especially during lunchtime and on weekends.

Please note that during lunch hours, the bar is closed, so you’re limited to the four alcoholic (or soft) drinks listed on the lunch menu. The full drinks menu becomes available at 3 p.m.

by Jane Pipkin