Night Walk through Kabukicho | 夜晚的歌舞伎町

The flashy neon signs in NYC's Times Square remind me of the Kabuki-chō neighborhood I visited in Tokyo. It's located in Shinjuku and is known for its nightlife and entertainment establishments. The name came from a project after World War II to build a Kabuki theater in this area.

This Sleepless Town comes to life after dark with its bright neon lights, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and love hotels. The neon-lit arch you see in my photo is a landmark here, and it's at the entrance of Kabukicho's main street, Ichibangai-dori. Oh, and keep an eye out for the giant Godzilla head too! It's on top of the TOHO Cinema building, and you can also stay at the "Godzilla Hotel", also known as Hotel Gracery, as seen in one of my photos. The iconic monster is glaring at you from its terrace.

Speaking of hotels in Tokyo, remember the Henn na Hotel chain I once blogged about? It is the world's first hotel chain featuring robots' service. There used to be a famous Robot Restaurant in Kabukicho since 2012, but it's closed now.

While this busy area might not be for everyone, it's an interesting and lively part of Shinjuku. As I strolled along the bustling streets, I found myself amidst the palpable energy. The mix of entertainment options, from arcades to theaters, kept the area buzzing.

I read that the new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower opened in April this year (2023). The skyscraper has a huge game center with a giant crane game, a cinema, an art room, an escape room, a food hall, a live music venue... and numerous neon lights of course!

In contrast to the vibrant atmosphere on the main streets, Golden Gai is a more intimate enclave within Kabukicho. This legendary area is famous for its narrow alleys lined with compact Japanese-style izakaya gastropubs, often with a seating capacity of just a handful of patrons. It was like stepping back in time as I wandered through the small lanes, each housing unique pubs with their own stories and specialties.

It felt cozy to strike up conversations with friends here, and sharing laughs over drinks made for an unforgettable evening. For other photography lovers, many places in Golden Gai have a strict no-photography policy, so let's respect this rule to help maintain its privacy and ambiance.

Another thing to notice is, lots of bars here are cash-only, so it's a good idea to have some yen on hand. ATMs can be found nearby if needed. Besides, some establishments might have a cover charge, so it's a good practice to check before entering to avoid surprises. Some places might have limited English-speaking staff. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases or using translation apps can help you communicate and connect better.

纽约时代广场上闪烁的霓虹让我想起东京的歌舞伎町，这块大名鼎鼎的红灯区在新宿，以热闹丰富的娱乐场所和夜生活著称。今天就跟我一起到这里的一番街和黄金街等地来看看吧。

歌舞伎町的名字来源于二战后在此修建歌舞伎剧院的工程计划。夜幕降临后，鳞次栉比的餐厅、酒吧、夜总会和情调酒店等商家门前霓虹闪耀，一派灯红酒绿的炫目景象。我照片里那有名的霓虹拱门地标就位于歌舞伎町的主要街道一番街的入口。

还有那个巨大的哥斯拉头像，从八楼的露台上探出头来，龇牙咧嘴地注视着我们芸芸众生。它所在的"哥斯拉酒店"，也叫Hotel Gracery，提供游客住宿，感兴趣的朋友可以去体验一番。

说到东京的酒店，我又想起曾经介绍过的Henn na连锁酒店，是世界上第一家以机器人服务为特色的酒店集团。歌舞伎町这里曾经也有一家很有名的机器人餐厅，不过现在已经关门了。

看到今年4月开放了新建的东急歌舞伎町大厦，48层的摩天楼加上地下空间，里面巨大的游戏中心里有着巨大的娃娃机、电影院、画廊、逃生室、美食厅、现场音乐会所等，当然，还有无数的霓虹灯。

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