Hey hey guys!
It is Samuel and Audrey and we are here in Tokyo and it as night and that can only mean
one thing.
Nightlife!
We are here in Shinjuku (新宿区) to experience the nightlife.
Indeed.
Okay so the funny thing is we've been staying in Shinjuku (新宿区) but we've only really
experienced it by day.
Yeah.
But this is an area that is known for its nightlife.
Yes.
It is full of bars and clubs and discos.
Exactly.
So it is a Friday night we finally decided we need to get out.
We're bringing a camera along and we're going to show you what Tokyo nightlife is all about.
Let's do it!
Okay so let's do some first impressions here.
So far lots of flashing lights.
Sam is having a bit of a field day with the camera.
Also I don't know if you can hear it but there is a lot of music and down some streets you'll
also hear a lot of the bouncers because people are trying to lure you into their restaurant
or their bar and like trying to get your business.
Also I assumed this would be an area where you see lots of young people and also lots
of foreigners.
Um but I'm also seeing a lot of like men in business suits and people who look like they've
just left work on a Friday ready to blow off some steam.
So yeah we're just going to keep walking around for a bit.
I think the plan is to get a bit of food.
Maybe some drinks in our system.
And I'm going to go find Sam because he's been left behind.
Alright guys this is the famous Robot Restaurant if you've been doing any research about weird
unusual things to do in Tokyo you've probably come across this place because it is pretty
popular these days.
So it is basically kind of like a spectacle.
It is a bit of a show with lots of flashing lights and just overall weirdness but as you
can see it is not the cheapest activity in town.
It is 8000 Yen per person.
That is roughly $80 US dollars and that doesn't even include a meal.
But they do have four shows every night so if you've got some money to spare.
Some money to blow here in Tokyo definitely something to consider.
Here is a little teaser.
Okay so we're still looking for food.
But let me tell you where we are.
So currently we are in Kabukicho Sakura-Dori St. Which is kind of like the red light district
and entertainment area.
And its name is a bit weird because Kabuki is a type of theatre here in Japan and this
place got its name because in the 40s they were planning to build a Kabuki theatre here
and then that never happened but the name stuck so that is what it is known as.
Um so yeah this is a really loud area.
But basically in this area you have a lot of like bars, nightclubs, hostess clubs.
A little bit of everything.
And yeah it is starting to get quite rowdy on a Friday night.
So our quest for food has brought us over to Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街).
Why don't you tell us about this place.
Well it is completely different from the area where we were just visiting.
Which is like neon central and big pedestrian walkways.
This is much smaller.
So you've got tiny little alleyways.
And you've also got these really intimate Izakayas (居酒屋).
Yeah.
Which is basically these tiny little bars and there is only a few stools in each of
them.
Yes.
So we're just going to try and sit down and grab a beer and maybe some tasty bites.
Sounds good to me.
Some bars are foreigner friendly other aren't.
Not sightseeing guest bar.
Sorry!
Okay so that is definitely not us.
Okay so we're going to give you a little update on our findings.
Yes.
Here in Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街).
What did we discover?
We discovered that it is a very cool area.
It is super intimate.
Those little lanes are really interesting and then you kind of peak out around and you
look inside and there is these cool little bars.
They are tiny.
They are so so tiny.
Some of them only can seat like five people or something.
But anyways so we decided not to drink there for a few reasons.
The main one being that we can't actually take photographs or videos in that area.
There is clear signs saying that.
Yeah.
And I totally get it because if you were to go inside and do that it would ruin the kind
of intimate environment that is there.
So it is a great place to go not a great place to film so we're going to go to an Izakaya
(居酒屋) somewhere else.
And another thing to consider is that there is a cover charge in a lot of these places.
Mmmhmm.
And also the drinks tend to be a bit expensive so you can decide whether you want to go there
or elsewhere.
Yeah just so you know cover charge is about 500 Yen which is about $5 US bucks per person.
Yeah.
And some of the drinks we saw were like 700 to 1000 Yen.
Yeah.
It can be a pricy evening for sure.
We found kind of rowdy little bars slash Izakaya (居酒屋) and they had a free table and
we've been walking around for a while so we're like yeah let's go in there.
So we ordered two ice cold beers.
Ice cold beers!
Cheers!
And we've got Takoyaki (たこ焼き) coming.
Takoyaki (たこ焼き) on the way.
Yes.
And you also get free cabbage.
You get free cabbage with chopsticks dip it in sauce.
Kanpai.
So we were not expecting to cook our own Takoyaki (たこ焼き) when we ordered it.
Wow.
I think this is going to be fun.
We had some assistance.
We needed help.
I feel we were just given a masterclass in how to do it.
They are ready.
I'm going to try my first Takoyaki cooked with assistance.
So I'm going to dip it in the sauce.
I'm kind of scared that it may be.
Woah!
How is that?
Pipping hot.
That is really nice.
It tastes even better than any other Takoyaki (たこ焼き) I've ever had.
Are you serious?
Maybe it is because it is freshly made.
It is like a little bit extra greasy which I'm enjoying.
There was some oil in there.
But yeah the dough is still kind of like runny on the inside.
It is going to be cooking a little bit longer.
It is crispy on the outside.
And yeah this bar is just getting rowdier and rowdier.
It is.
Alright it is my turn.
I've been waiting patiently over here.
Oh these appear to be kind of doughy still.
Yeah.
Maybe not like they are perfectly cooked.
Look at that.
Dunk it in the sauce.
It is really good.
Part of the reason I think it tastes so good is that it is slightly undercooked.
And it is a little you've got a little bit of the batter the battery kind of texture
in the middle.
And the bill came to 1823 Yen which is just under $18 US dollars.
There is a cover charge here but it was half the cost yes of what it was at Golden Gai
(新宿ゴールデン街).
I think it was like 240 or 250 Yen per person.
So not horrible.
It was a good time.
And now I think we may do karaoke.
Maybe?
Oh yeah we're going for Karaoke.
When in Tokyo!
We're going.
So I have to say the nightlife here in Shinjuku (新宿区), after like wandering around for
a little while, popping into some bars and having some drinks.
It is an absolute assault on your senses.
We've got so many things vying for your attention.
You have those neon lights, you have people trying to lure you into their bars.
You have just the sheer crowds.
It is absolute madness but I kind of love it.
(Arcade sounds)
Where are we now?
Alright guys this is my idea of a fun night out in Tokyo at an arcade.
Mine too.
Oh my gosh!
Look we're playing a drums game.
200 Yen and I get to drum my heart out.
Okay here we go.
(Drumming sounds)
Alright Sam what are you going to play?
It is Mario Kart time.
And I used to play this as a kid.
I wasn't very good.
Actually my friends used to beat me quite regularly.
I'm going to be Mario.
Mario!
Woo hoo hoo!
First place!
Sam is winning.
I'm winning.
I get to keep going I think.
Alright guys so next up the plan is Karaoke.
We had to go to like 3 different places to find one that has availability on a Friday
night at a reasonable price.
At a reasonable price.
So we found one.
There is a 20 minute wait which isn't too bad.
And we're going to take it.
We're going to go sing our little hearts out.
Yeah, I think this it he last stop of the night isn't it.
Yeah.
Yep.
Oh my gosh we finally figured it out.
There is a button for English.
Yeah.
That was so stressful.
Alright we're going to do new songs.
Who should we do?
I don't even know what is cool anymore.
Hahaha.
Alright let's do uh 2pac.
Why not?
No!
I'm not livin' in the past
Woo hoo!
One of my fears has vanished.
High high er!
Also the alcohol sucks here.
It is the worst wine and the worst gin we've ever had.
Ever!
Of all time!
The wine tastes like grape juice!
High high higher!
Alright so thoughts.
I'm always a fan of karaoke.
Yeah.
And singing but I have to say it is kind of pricey in Japan.
I feel like it is a lot cheaper in Korea and they don't force you to buy alcohol in Korea
you just pay for the room and you can sing.
Well the thing is we are in Shinjuku (新宿区).
Yes.
I think if we were to go to a more neighbourhood one it would be a lot cheaper.
And I've got to say that alcohol was the worst ever.
It sucked.
I wouldn't give that to my worst enemy.
I had the worst cocktail ever.
I got the gin and tonic.
Mine.
Urgh.
Yours was bad.
I tried it.
Mine was like rancid grape juice.
Oh my gosh.
The furthest thing from wine I've ever had.
Honestly I wish they just charged us double and we didn't have to buy alcohol because
I didn't drink mine.
I had a sip and it was like urg.
That stank.
It was cringey.
But the singing was fun.
It was cringy.
Well that concludes our tour of nightlife here in Tokyo.
Yeah.
Particularly, Shinjuku (新宿区).
Hope you guys enjoyed it.
It has been a long night.
We don't do this very often but it sure was a lot of fun.
Yeah.
We did a lot of different things.
I think our favorite thing maybe was just walking around and just seeing what it is
all about.
Soaking it all in.
But if you do come to Tokyo you definitely have to check out the nightlife in Shinjuku
(新宿区).
Yes.
It is legendary.
It sure is.
And with that we will say goodnight.
We are walking back to our apartment.
We are in need of some sleep.
Yep.
And we'll see you soon with more food and travel videos on our channel.
See you guys.
Tata.