If you know anything about Shinjuku’s wild nightlife, you’ll likely have at least heard of Omoide Yokocho. Teeming with history, bars and chatty patrons, Shinjuku’s lively drinking alley is perfect for a night out in Tokyo.
Experience the camaraderie for yourself with the help of this comprehensive guide to Omoide Yokocho, including how to get there, the history behind the area, tours you can join, restaurants to visit, the must-try foods and drinks while you’re there and a few tips and tricks to make the most out of your time.
What is Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho?
Translating to “Memory Lane” in English, Shinjuku’s drinking district of Omoide Yokocho invokes images of old-world Japan. Emerging from the rubble of post-WWII Tokyo, this celebrated alleyway draws visitors from across the globe. As you dive in and out of the 80-some bars and restaurants, you’ll hear a flurry of languages showing the true welcoming spirit of the place.
Unlike the smart, pristine streets of the surrounding Shinjuku, Omoide Yokocho is where you come to let loose and waste the night away, knocking back a glass of your favorite alcoholic beverage, snacking on some juicy yakitori skewers and slurping up a soulful bowl of ramen.
Whether you choose to join a tour (and we’ll have a few to choose from, don’t you worry) or go solo and make friends along the way, let it be known that Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho Street is one of the best destinations for a lively Tokyo night out.
Where is Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku?
Omoide Yokocho is located just outside of the West Exit (Nishi-Shinjuku) of Shinjuku Station. Get there by going down the stairs from the platform, going through the ticket gates and walking back up the stairs near the Odakyu AZUR kiosk to get to ground level.
Walk straight for around five minutes until you see Kyu-Ome-Kaido, which will lead you to Omoide Yokocho. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you see Shinjuku Uniqlo Flower or KFJ Nishi-Shinjuku, along with the neon signs and red lanterns strung up near the entrance.
Google Maps is a huge help, too, with the area clearly marked so you can add it to your growing list of must-visit places to go on your Japan trip.
The history of Omoide Yokocho
Although the area is rather peaceful today, Omoide Yokocho came into being during the chaos of the postwar Showa Period. As Tokyo was being rebuilt, vendors began selling food, drinks and daily necessities like clothing and soap that were hard to find elsewhere in a sort of black market called “Lucky Street.”
As time went on, these ramshackle, reed-screen-covered shops transformed into permanent establishments, selling unique dishes like broiled pig and beef offal, which weren’t rationed.
Despite multiple incidents affecting the neighborhood — construction on Shinjuku Station in the 1960s and a large fire in 1999 — the lively and resilient spirit of the original black market lives on.
With so much history in the alleyway, one can easily feel like they’ve traveled back in time as they stroll down the aptly named “memory lane.” Even the dishes taste the same as they did back in the Showa era, with many restaurants passing down the original recipes from generation to generation!
Best ways to explore Omoide Yokocho
1. Shinjuku Nightlife: Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, & Kabukicho
Explore Shinjuku after dark with an English-speaking Japanese guide on this tour of Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai and Kabukicho.
Feast on up to seven dishes and five drinks over the course of three hours as you get to know the drinking culture in Japan, making memories you’ll (hopefully) remember forever along the way.
2. Shinjuku Bar Hopping: Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai
Embark on a three-hour adventure as you explore the trifecta of Tokyo’s nightlife.
From the underbelly of Kabukicho to the old-world charm of Omoide Yokocho to the culinary smorgasbord of Golden Gai, see it all with the help of an English-speaking guide as you chow down on the local dishes and drinks.
Does this tour sound right for your group?
3. Shinjuku Walking Tour: Godzilla, Golden Gai & Street Food
Godzilla, Hanazono Shrine and chicken skewers, oh my! Spend a night in the entertainment districts of Shinjuku on this walking tour of Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho and Nishi-Shinjuku, complete with a glimpse of Godzilla and a trip to Hanazono Shrine.
Visit four local restaurants to try classic Japanese dishes such as yakitori, sushi, yakiniku, scallops, octopus and more.
Bringing the family? This tour is free for children, but prepare for a lot of walking!
Best places to eat in Omoide Yokocho
With so many restaurants to choose from, it can be overwhelming choosing where to eat and drink. With that being said, here’s a Japanese food tour and a few restaurants we recommend for a night in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho:
1. Shinjuku Food Tour: Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho and Golden Gai
Have someone else take care of the planning on this comprehensive tour of Shinjuku’s nightlife. Hit up the nostalgic Omoide Yokocho for some appetizers before heading to Golden Gai, Shinjuku’s red light district.
Recount your adventures with a final drink and yakitori skewers at a bar in Golden Gai, wrapping up a whirlwind night in the watering holes of Tokyo.
2. Kabuto
What better way to commence a night out than a savory eel dish? Though some might turn their nose up at the idea of eating freshwater eel, once it’s grilled or steamed and drenched in sauce, you’ve got a dish that even the most sober salarymen would drool over.
3. Yasubee
You’ll truly never run out of dining options in Yasubee. From the extensive sake list to the usual and unusual izakaya offerings on the menu, it’s no wonder this fancy joint has been running successfully since 1951.
4. Gifuya
Cheap and fast, Gifuya provides a hearty bowl of ramen for patrons looking to fill their stomachs in between cocktails. With large portions and a lengthy menu, this is an ideal place to chow down in solitude or with friends.
Find out more: Ultimate Ramen Guide: Best Ramen in Tokyo
Must-try foods and drinks in Omoide Yokocho
Stumped on what to eat for the ideal night out in Tokyo? Luckily, we have a list of the must-try foods and drinks while you’re in Omoide Yokocho.
1. Yakitori
Translating to “grilled bird” or “grilled chicken,” yakitori is the Japanese version of barbecue and a choice favorite for those who enjoy a nice beer or two. Depending on the establishment, you’ll be allowed to grill the meat to your preferences and combine it with any number of delicious sauces.
As one of the most popular types of shops in Omoide Yokocho, you won’t find any shortage of places to sample this dish during your festivities.
Find out more: What is Yakitori? Japanese Chicken Skewers
2. Karaage fried chicken
With a crunchier, lighter taste than your traditional Kentucky Fried Chicken, karaage is a winner at any point in the day, but especially when you’ve been drinking. As a bonus, it’s not as filling, leaving you with room for more dishes!
Get more ideas on what to order at your next izakaya or bar in this list of must-try izakaya dishes.
Find out more: What is Karaage? Full Guide to Japanese Fried Chicken
3. Gyoza
These pork and veggie-filled dumplings pair perfectly with the drink of your choice. Crunchy on the bottom and moist on the inside, gyoza is a premium choice for an appetizer or side dish.
Find out more: Get to know Gyoza
4. Ramen
Ramen is a classic for a reason. Whether you get shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce) or miso flavor, to name a few, this staple of traditional Japanese food is perfect when you want a meal that leaves you fully satisfied.
5. Japanese beer
Did you know that in Japan, beer is consumed even more than sake, the national alcohol? Whether you’re partial to Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin or Suntory, Japan’s foamy, rich beer is worth a toast.
Learn more about beer in Japan via our freshly poured Japanese beer guide.
6. Japanese sake
You can’t get more Japanese than sake, or rice wine made from rice, rice koji (mold) and water. Although traditionally smooth in mouthfeel, the flavors can range from sweet and fruity to dry and earthy.
Get to know the popular drinks in Japan and learn all about Japanese drinking culture!
7. Motsuyaki
If you truly want an authentic taste of Omoide Yokocho, look no further than the braised offal, or horumon. Made by searing and cooking the internal organs of beef or lamb, this dish was one of the main offerings during the days when the district still acted as a black market.
Because offal wasn’t subject to WWII rationing, it was commonly sold among vendors back then and now as a tribute to the street’s interesting history.
Tips for visiting Omoide Yokocho
To ensure cozy, nostalgic vibes for everyone, here are a few rules and tips for enjoying Omoide Yokocho to the fullest:
Bring cash: Most places are cash-only, so be sure to hit up the nearest bank or konbini (convenience store) ATM before arriving.
Expect a table charge: As is typical in izakayas and bars in Japan, some eateries will have a table charge amounting to around 500 yen. Don’t worry, though: you’ll get a small appetizer in exchange!
Keep an eye on the time: A time limit of 90 minutes or so is usual around these parts, particularly if you’re at the counter or a table.
No smoking: Since the 1999 fire damaged a portion of the alleyway, smoking is not allowed on the street. A few establishments will permit it indoors, however.
Order for everyone: Ordering a drink and dish for everyone at the table is a requirement at most izakayas. Feel free to order a bottle and pass it around if you like!
Google Translate is your friend: Most menus will have ample pictures and English translations, but Google Translate’s scan feature is a helpful tool for confirming your order.
Brave the crowds: Popular among tourists and locals alike, crowds are all but guaranteed in Omoide Yokocho. Visit between 3-6 pm for a little more elbow room with fewer of the shops open, but if you want the full atmosphere, be prepared to brave the hoards of people. Just be careful not to take up too much space and all should go just fine!
These will be more than enough to get by in Omoide Yokocho, but if you want to go above and beyond, here are a few more tips on proper izakaya etiquette in Japan.
Obsessed with Shinjuku? Here are the best things to do in Shinjuku, our Shinjuku Nightlife Guide, and the best Shinjuku food tours!
Or, if sipping your way through Japan’s drinking alleys and getting into nightlife in Tokyo is more your style, explore:
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Harmonica Yokocho (and our Harmonica Yokocho tour)
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Arakicho, the latest trendy drinking alley
Frequently Asked Questions
