Yoyogi Milk Hall

There is a hidden, retro space wrapped in nostalgic memorabilia just steps away from Yoyogi Station where diners can enjoy the glimmer of 70s to 90s Japan. Up the narrow staircase, time slips back to the Showa era in Yoyogi Milk Hall, where nostalgic food, cocktails and vinyl records get hoisted to center stage. The walls are decorated with relics of idols and bands from the 80s and beyond as the funky tunes sweep visitors back to a bygone period. Milk halls were once staples of the Tokyo restaurant scene throughout the Meiji and Taisho eras. Inspired by Western culture, these establishments offer light meals, cakes and drinks. Today, milk halls are few and far between, but this retro hidey-hole just outside still enchants visitors with the tastes and sounds of old Japan. The menu is just as good-looking as the fit-out, featuring yakitori, grilled pork skewers and a wide array of fried dishes with plenty of drink options. Milk-based cocktails are an obvious choice, but drinks named after the “Go! Go! Loser Ranger!” and popular retro songs also make an appearance. Fans of city pop or retro Japanese pop culture can even shop Yoyogi Milk Hall’s extensive collection for a few souvenirs. If, after a few hours, you’re not quite ready to re-engage with the outside world, the staff can teach you the choreography of iconic songs by idols from the 60s and 70s. It’s time to party like it’s 1960.