night walks Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Nighttime is when the fun starts in Tokyo. You didn’t come here to call it a day when the sun goes down. Or maybe the jetlag has you in the mood to stay out until sunrise. Either way, we’ve got a night planned for you. You’ll start slow with some Night at the Museum vibes before amping up with game centers, karaoke, and bar crawls. When that’s got you ready to drop, wind down with a look at Tokyo’s famous landmarks and an early bowl of ramen. Ready? 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Pick your warm-up We have different ideas for summer, winter, and the in-between seasons. Whatever you do, you'll want to have a solid meal before you start. Summer: Night museums In summer, we recommend enjoying a couple of hours at the museum. During the warmer months, several museums in Tokyo stay open until 8 or even 9 p.m., with special exhibits. Museums open late in summer include: The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno (on Fridays) The Tokyo Photogenic Art Museum in Ebisu (on Thursdays and Fridays) The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kiyosumi Shirakawa (on Fridays) Most museums will have mystery-solving events to get tangled in with friends. For more information, check out our complete list of night museum options in Tokyo. Winter: Illuminations Between November and February, you can see twinkly lights all over the city. Grab a hot drink and head out for a stroll. Here are the best illuminations in Tokyo. Spring and fall: Parks Take advantage of the mild temperatures and start your night adventure with a picnic in one of Tokyo's wonderful parks. Most of them are free to enter. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- Game centers A game center is always nearby, wherever you are in Tokyo. Here, you can try one of the dozens of classic arcade games -- Street Fighter and Tekken are sure to give everyone more energy. You can also pound the beats of J-pop, K-pop, and even anime tracks on Japan’s favorite taiko drum game, and try your luck at the UFO catchers. If you’re in a larger game center, you can also look out for: Bowling Table tennis Billiards Darts Batting cages Most big game centers will have a counter with hot food, but you can also stop off at a convenience store to stock up on snacks and drinks. Sit back and play for a while -- and if you don’t know where to go, we’ve got a round-up of our favorite game centers: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. -- The bar crawl Your arm is about to fall off from lifting bowling balls, so it’s time to move on. Something lighter in hand might be better, and it gets thirsty on long nights out. Luckily, you’re in the perfect city for a bar crawl. It also just so happens to be one of the most popular night activities. Heading through a maze of small bars after dark is a memorable experience, as is trying everything from cocktails to Japanese sake and umeshu (plum wine). It's easiest to book a guided Tokyo bar crawl. But if you are keen on DIY, top drinking spots include: Shinjuku: Golden Gai is famous for its dozens of tightly packed bars with quirky themes. Shibuya: Head around Hachikō and the scramble to different bars hidden in the rooftops. Ueno: Ameyoko shopping street is a warren of small restaurants and bars. Roppongi: Home of the official Tokyo Pub Crawl, you’ll hop through bars in Tokyo’s classic nightclub district. And if you’re looking to split off and go clubbing, this is the area for it. It’s worth asking for the house special at any bar you stop into -- most will have a unique drink they’re known for. And don’t worry about getting peckish; most bars will have drinking snacks. In some bars, you may have to pay a table charge of around , which may or may not cover the cost of a free snack. Read more about drinking in Japan. 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. -- Karaoke You stumble out of that last bar, lightheaded. Maybe you’re all being loud -- and that’s okay; there’s a place for that, too. Karaoke is one of Japan’s favorite night-time hobbies. Just you, your friends, and a mic to let you scream your hearts out. You can stay as long as you please, since most don’t close until 5 or 6 a.m. Keep an eye out for: KaraokeKan: You’ll know this one by its distinct silver and blue frontage with red katakana. Big Echo: Bright lights and red signs, with the name written in English with white lettering. Uta Hiroba: Look for their cheerful round pink mascot holding a microphone. Karaoke Manekineko: A cute cat on a yellow background? You’re here. Most of these karaoke spots will operate on a per-hour payment system at night. You’ll register how many people are with you and then pay when you come down to leave. You can also choose to include drinks (both soft drinks and alcohol) in your package, and some places will offer simple hot food and desserts, too. Pro tip: Karaoke Manekineko lets you bring your own drinks and snacks. Check out more money-saving tips in our guide to karaoke-ing like a local. 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. -- Sightseeing It's time to slow down and enjoy a side of Tokyo you won’t get during the day. Several of Tokyo’s most popular spots take on a life of their own at night: Tokyo Tower: This iconic landmark is lit bright at night, offering rare photo opportunities without the crowds. Shibuya Scramble: Take all the shots you want of the crossing without having to worry (too much!) about cars or people. Just make sure you’re not drinking; Shibuya has clamped down on street parties. Odaiba: The replica Statue of Liberty and the Rainbow Bridge are sights to see at night, without masses of tourists or vehicles. Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa: Admire the old streets and cascading lights of the tower at your own pace. You don’t just have to walk and snap -- shopping awaits. Head into the gigantic 24/7 Don Quijote stores in Shibuya, Ikebukuro, or Asakusa to hunt for souvenirs and unique Japanese gifts. 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. -- Early-morning ramen It’s been a long night, and you’re ready to crash. But before you do, eating something is always a good idea, and since you’re in Japan ... ramen? It'll be just the thing to see you home. Some even claim it works as a hangover cure, but we’d just tell you to enjoy the distinct flavors and textures each restaurant brings to their ramen. It might seem like an odd choice for breakfast, but there are plenty of early-morning ramen stores open for late-night cravings, so don’t miss: Ichiran Ramen: Some branches of this chain are open 24 hours, such as their Shibuya and Shinjuku branches. Afuri Ramen: Known for their light citrus broth, their Ebisu branch is open until 5 a.m. Shinjuku Golden Gai: Tucked amidst the bars are over a dozen small ramen shops, open for peckish drinkers until 6 a.m. or later. Pro tip: If you want to blend in like a ramen pro, check out our ultimate guide to ramen. Getting around Tokyo at night What’s the best way to get around? In Tokyo, trains run until around 1 a.m. and buses until 11:30 p.m. Once they stop running, you’ll need to rely on taxis and your own two feet to get where you need to go. How can I get a taxi after dark? Even though they’re closed, most train stations will have a taxi rank where you can flag down a taxi. You can also find them cruising and looking for passengers in major tourist areas. The drivers’ English levels vary, so it’s helpful to have any key addresses (like your next destination or your hotel) written down. How can I save money on taxis? The easiest way would be to pick a specific area to stay in after dark. Rather than traveling around Tokyo, plan based on the key landmarks you want to see, or your bar-crawl location. You can easily find a game center, karaoke parlor, and ramen restaurant near you without having to trek across Tokyo. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

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