Shibuya is a shopper’s paradise by day. After dark, the district becomes THE nightlife hotspot in Tokyo. You can get your groove on in trendy nightclubs, dine on amazing cuisine, or even experience theater that rivals Broadway and London.
Shibuya is the place to be when the sun goes down.
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What You Can Do in Shibuya
After a hard day’s shopping in Shibuya’s stores, treat yourself to dinner and a show… or show off your fashionable purchases on the dance floor.
However you like to unwind, Shibuya has something for you.
Let’s start with the food.
Dining
You’ll love the restaurants of Shibuya.
Shibuya offers a wealth of upscale culinary choices. The district boasts thirty-seven Michelin starred restaurants (at the time of this publishing).
Once the sun sets and the shoppers leave, Shibuya’s restaurants come into their own.
Mai-sen
Mai-sen’s an upscale take on a modern Japanese staple: tonkatsu. Mai-sen turns tonkatsu into a work of art. It ranks among the best tonkatsu in Japan.
What’s Tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu is a succulent cut of pork, coated with an outer layer of Japanese breadcrumbs. The juicy meat and crisp coating are a winning combination. It’s usually part of a set menu served with rice or even with Japanese curry.
If you’re not familiar with Japanese curry, here’s a head’s up: the texture resembles stew. It’s a thick broth with veggies and meat sprinkled in, unlike the curry you might be used to.
Pickles, miso soup, and a dessert complete the meal.
Mai-sen is popular, so if you dine-in, prepare for a long wait to get a table. There’s a takeaway counter if you’re in a hurry.
The Building
Mai-sen is worth a visit for another reason. The main shop, Aoyama Honten, was once a public bathhouse. Traces of the past remain in the old-fashioned architecture.
Hours
11:00am-10:45pm (last order at 10:00pm)
Cost
- 2600 yen for the basic tonkatsu
- 3100 yen for the basic set menu
For More Information
Mai-sen Aoyama Hoten Restaurant
Hakushu
Hakushu offers a friendly introduction to another Japanese phenomenon: Teppan-yaki.
Teppan-yaki translates as “hot steel cooking.” It’s the art of cooking on a metal grill.
Some restaurants allow customers to do the cooking themselves. At Hakushu, the staff cook for you.
Hakushu’s a family-run business. Despite growing popularity, they maintain a friendly, down to earth vibe.
All Hakushu’s food gets rave reviews. The Kobe beef’s particularly well regarded – and delicious!
Hakushu’s Specialty
Whatever you order, you’ll also get Hakushu’s specialty. The restaurant serves your food on a slice of bread to soak up the flavor. At the end of the night, the bread is cut into small pieces and fried on the grill for a fantastic finish to your meal.
Hakushu only has twenty seats. Reservations are essential.
Hours
- Monday-Saturday: 5:30am – 11:00pm
- Closed Sundays and National holidays
Cost
5000-8000 yen
For More Information
Uka-tei
For an extravagant teppan-yaki experience, don’t miss Uka-tei. The Michelin-starred restaurant serves up teppan-yaki with trademark refinement.
The focus is simple: quality ingredients prepared while you watch. While this sounds laid-back, the dining experience is truly that — an experience.
The Atmosphere
Uka-tei sits on the top floor of the Chanel building, on the elegant Omotesando Avenue. The atmosphere is truly high end; Uka-tei’s decor resembles that of an art museum.
You’re treated to a display of culinary savoir-faire as the chefs get to work. Watch as they create mouth-watering dishes with a hot grill and two metal spatulas.
The Cost
Your taste buds will thank you for visiting Uka-tei. Your wallet won’t. The bill comes to around 20,000 – 30,000yen for their grand dinner courses and around 7,000 – 13,000 yen for their lunch courses. For a truly exorbitant meal, retire to the rococo salon after dinner for coffee and the dessert tray.
Hours
- Monday-Friday
- Lunch: 12:00pm-2:30pm (last order 2:30pm)
- Dinner: 5:30pm -9:00pm (last order 9:00pm)
- Saturday-Sunday and Public Holidays: 11:30am-9:00pm (last order 9:00pm)
Cost
- Lunch: 7020-12960 yen
- Dinner: 19440-29160 yen
For More Information
Floriledge
Are you in the mood for French cuisine? If so, look no further than Florilege.
Chef Hiroyasu Kawate fuses French technique with the Japanese appreciation for flavor.
His innovative menu changes every two months. What doesn’t change is the quality of the food or the service.
Chef Kawate emphasizes sustainability — unusual in Japan. He takes pride in sourcing his ingredients locally.
Florilege is foreigner friendly. There’s an English-speaking staff on hand. He delights in explaining the subtle nuances of Kawate’s avant-garde creations.
Hours
- Lunch: 12:00-13:30
- Dinner: 6:30pm-8:00pm
- Check the Florilege website for days they close.
Estimated Cost
- Lunch: 6500 yen
- Dinner: 12000 yen
For More Information
Uobei Sushi
For a quick meal consider Uobei Sushi, a fun futuristic take on conveyor belt sushi.
Uobei Sushi’s a chain with locations across Tokyo. The chain’s known for touch-screen ordering and tasty hundred yen plates of sushi. Uobei is a typical conveyor belt sushi store. Sushi comes to you on a train running above the belt.
Pro-tip: After you’ve taken your sushi off the train, don’t forget to hit the button that returns the train to the kitchen!
The restaurant’s foreigner friendly. The touch screen menu has an English option.
Uobei is located behind the Shibuya 109 building.
Hours
11:00am -12:00am (last order 11:30pm)
Cost
1500-2500 yen for most people
For More Information
Dancing: Tokyo’s Clubbing Scene
Shibuya is a rival for Shinjuku’s nightlife throne. Shibuya doesn’t have the bar scene of Shinjuku, but the nightclubs are markedly better. Shibuya is the center of Tokyo’s clubbing scene.
Shinjuku’s known as the center of Tokyo’s bar going nightlife. The nightclubs have migrated to Shibuya.
If you like dancing, you’ll love Shibuya.
Most clubs are open to visitors age twenty and over. Make sure you have a photo ID with your date of birth. The clubs charge for water, so bring plenty of cash for drinks and to stay hydrated.
ATOM Tokyo
ATOM has a party vibe and plays pop, house, and EDM. The club’s a great place to go if you’re new to clubbing. It’s popular with the younger crowd.
ATOM recently reopened after renovations, so be sure to check out the new and improved venue.
Dress code
No visible tattoos, jerseys, sweatpants, rubber sandals, or (for men only) tank tops.
Hours
100:00pm – 5:00am
Admission
- Weekdays: Ladies 1500 yen (1000 yen Happy Hour)
- Men: 3500 yen (1000 yen Happy Hour)
- Weekend and before National Holidays: Ladies 1500 yen (1000 yen Happy Hour)
- Men: 3500 yen (1500 yen Happy Hour)
For More Information
Womb Tokyo
Once you’ve found your vibe, groove on over to Womb Tokyo.
The club sits atop lists of Tokyo’s best clubs, and for good reason. It’s one of Tokyo’s best-known and most popular clubs.
Four dance floors, each with a different music selection, are standing room only at big events. Womb’s DJs vary in skill, so true music aficionados should check the lineup before visiting.
Hours
Hours can vary for different times or events, so be sure to check their schedule before you go
- Monday-Thursday 22:00-4:30
- Friday-Saturday: 23:00-4:30
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 16:00-22:30
Admission
- Monday-Thursday: Around 1500
- Friday-Saturday: Around 3500
- Sunday and Public Holidays: Around 3000
Pro tip: The prices listed above are full price at the door. Watch for people near the club passing out fliers offering discounted entry.
For More Information
Sound Museum Vision
Sound Museum Vision prides itself on quality musical performances and DJ sets. They combine sound, light, and vibration to create an atmosphere made for dancing.
The Gaia and Deep Space room are the main dancing spaces. The quieter White and D-lounge provide an opportunity to talk.
You must be over twenty to enter.
Hours
Hours can vary. Check out their schedule before you go.
Doors open at 10:00pm
Admission
Around 3,000 – 3,500 yen
For More Information
Harlem
Harlem’s one of the oldest hip-hop clubs in Japan and has a legacy that continues to draw crowds. It’s the best place for hip-hop in Tokyo. Harlem boasts several big-name Japanese DJs on rotation.
With a dress code of casual street clothes, it’s a great standby when plans change at the last minute.
You’ll enjoy the introduction to Japan’s hip-hop scene.
Hours
Hours can vary, so it’s best to check their schedule before going.
- Monday-Thursday: doors open at 22:00
- Fridays: doors open at 19:00
- Saturdays: doors open at 23:00
- Closed Sundays and some Wednesdays
Admission
- Ladies: Around 1000 yen
- Men: Around 3000 yen.
Discounts are available. Watch for people passing out fliers nearby.
For More Information
Ageha
Ageha isn’t in Shibuya but connects to Shibuya by bus. The buses are free. They run from 12:00am-5:00am.
Ageha hosts a ton of events, including frequent gay nights. The Halloween party’s legendary. Don’t miss it if you’re in Tokyo in October.
Confusingly, on the women-free nights, women enter free of charge. You’ll still need to buy a drink ticket!
Ageha provides International Coupons for foreign visitors having difficulty getting advanced tickets. Bring your passport, driver’s license, or resident card to get the discount.
Hours
Friday-Saturday: doors open at 23:00
Check the website before going on a Friday. Sometimes there’s a private party and the club’s closed to the public.
Admission
Starts at 3500 yen
For More Information
Orchestras, Operas, and Musicals: Tokyo’s Top Theaters
If clubbing’s not your scene, Shibuya boasts other nightlife options. The district’s home to three of Tokyo’s top theaters and concert halls. Shibuya’s theaters are among the best in Japan. You’ll enjoy the elaborate productions, even if you don’t speak Japanese.
Bunkamura
Bunkamura’s more than a concert hall. It’s an entire entertainment complex dedicated to the classical arts. The building features a theater, cinema, art museum, concert hall, and shopping complex.
For More Information
Orchard Hall
Bunkamura’s Orchard Hall seats 2150. It’s the home of The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan’s oldest classical orchestra.
Founded in Nagoya in 1911, the orchestra moved to Tokyo in 1938.
For details about the orchestra and concerts, visit their website.
For More Information
Le Cinèma
Le Cinèma theater hosts the annual Tokyo International Film Festival. (October 25th-November 3rd 2017). The cinema features independent films the rest of the year.
Wine and classy snacks are offered.
For More Information & Showtimes
For information on a particular show, film, or concert, check Bunkamura’s website.
The New National Theater
The New National Theater hosts opera, ballet, dance, and drama.
Upcoming productions include well-known shows like Cinderella, Aida, Crime and Punishment, and Die Fledermaus.
The performances feature Japanese casts. You’ll understand the shows even if you don’t speak Japanese.
For More Information
The New National Theater Homepage
Theater Orb
Theater Orb calls itself “the theater in mid-air” — with good reason!
It sits on the eleventh floor of Shibuya Hikarie.
Shibuya Hikarie’s a combination skyscraper and retail complex near Shibuya station. It hosts Tokyo Fashion Week. The building’s worth a visit, even if you’re not a theater fan.
Musical Performances are from both international and Japanese casts. For performances taking place in English, Japanese subtitles scroll across unobtrusive screens. It’s a good choice for an evening out with Japanese speaking friends.
Getting to Bunkamura
A free bus runs between Shibuya Station’s Miyamasuzaka Exit and Bunkamura from 9:50-20:15 daily.
What Will You Do in Shibuya after Dark?
Anything sound like fun? What do you want to do in Shibuya? Let us know in the comments.
Don’t forget to share this article with your clubbing, dining, and theater buddies. They’ll thank you… once they visit Shibuya and realize what they’ve been missing!
