Kabukicho Tower
Tokyo's dazzling entertainment hub, featuring a massive tower with arcades, dining, and nightlife.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Kabukicho truly comes alive at night.
Kabukicho Tower
Best Time
Kabukicho truly comes alive at night.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Tokyo's dazzling entertainment hub, featuring a massive tower with arcades, dining, and nightlife.
"A must-visit destination for unforgettable experiences in Tokyo's vibrant Shinjuku."
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Kabukicho can be intense. Solo female travelers, be firm if approached by persistent individuals.
Explore Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
This new complex offers dining, arcades, and entertainment. Don't miss the food hall and Namco!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Godzilla Head
Shinjuku Toho Building (near Kabukicho Tower)
Stand beneath the iconic Godzilla head for a roaring photo op. A must-see landmark in Shinjuku!

Namco TOKYO Arcade
3rd Floor, Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
Dive into a massive arcade with over 250 gashapon machines and 100 crane games. Fun for all ages!

Shinjuku Kabuki Hall - Kabuki Yokocho
2nd Floor, Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
Experience a traditional Japanese alleyway food court with 10 restaurants offering regional specialties.

The Matrix - Immersive Experience
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
Engage in an immersive, team-based videogame adventure. A unique and thrilling experience for groups.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating Kabukicho's Nightlife
Kabukicho Tower: A Modern Marvel
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Kabukicho can be intense. Solo female travelers, be firm if approached by persistent individuals.
Explore Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
This new complex offers dining, arcades, and entertainment. Don't miss the food hall and Namco!
Godzilla Head Photo Op
Snap a pic with the iconic Godzilla head near the tower for a classic Tokyo memory.
Gashapon & Crane Games Galore
The 3rd floor of Kabukicho Tower boasts hundreds of gashapon and crane machines.
Tips
from all over the internet
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Kabukicho can be intense. Solo female travelers, be firm if approached by persistent individuals.
Explore Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
This new complex offers dining, arcades, and entertainment. Don't miss the food hall and Namco!
Godzilla Head Photo Op
Snap a pic with the iconic Godzilla head near the tower for a classic Tokyo memory.
Gashapon & Crane Games Galore
The 3rd floor of Kabukicho Tower boasts hundreds of gashapon and crane machines.
Try the Kabuki Yokocho Food
Sample diverse Japanese regional dishes in a lively, alley-themed food court.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is praised for its diverse entertainment, from a massive arcade and immersive games to a vibrant food hall offering regional Japanese cuisine. Visitors appreciate the modern facilities and the lively atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Some find the surrounding Kabukicho district intense, but the tower itself offers a contained and engaging experience.
"During my recent visit to Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku, I was impressed by the diverse shopping options available within this vibrant complex.
On the first floor, I discovered a variety of shops catering to different needs. There was a Starbucks for a quick coffee fix, a florist offering beautiful arrangements, and even a TKTS booth providing discounted tickets to various shows and events . This made it convenient to plan my evening entertainment while enjoying a leisurely stroll through the area.
The second floor houses the Shinjuku Kabuki Hall – Kabuki Yokocho, a lively food court designed to resemble a traditional Japanese alley. With 10 restaurants offering regional specialties from across Japan, the atmosphere was festive, enhanced by neon lights and music . It was a delightful experience to sample various dishes in such a dynamic setting.
For those interested in entertainment and collectibles, the third floor features namco TOKYO, an expansive arcade boasting over 250 gashapon machines and 100 crane games. Anime enthusiasts will appreciate the Banpresto TOKYO Figure Collection, offering a wide range of figures from popular series .
Overall, the shopping experience at Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is diverse and engaging, catering to both casual shoppers and those seeking unique entertainment options. The combination of retail, dining, and entertainment makes it a must-visit destination in Shinjuku."
cletus dsouza
"My mum and I were so excited to finally come here after watching Gaia series on Japan Hour. The brilliant mind behind the Shinjuku Kabuki Hall Kabuki Yokocho (what a mouthful) as well as Ebisu Yokocho is Yoshinori Hamakura. This charming man is a revolutionary genius figure behind the recent revival of the izakaya industry. Heck, I'm still seeing him on TV these days and he hired an actual ama (woman diver) to showcase their skill in the basement of New Shinbashi Building in one of the latest episode. Just search for him and see how Japanese can a Japanese look like. If I bump into him, I need to get his autograph! 😤
By golly, I'm such a fanboy, but I really love every episode he appears in. If I am ever shocked when I see something in Tokyo, I would think of Hamakura-san first.
Anyway, a surprising or not so surprising fact that my mum first noticed. "How come everyone here is a woman, where are all the men?" "At the ramen place", I joked. True enough, among the hundreds of patrons, I spotted only around 5 men, including myself. This was on a Thursday at 2pm.
This incredible building houses Hotel Groove, a very talked about accommodation for tourists. There is a cinema, live entertainment theatre, arcade and dining. Zepp Shinjuku is a concert hall venue that extends from basement 1 to 4. It is as lively as a building can get."
Alvin Li
"Level 2 is where you can find the food court with many tempting local cuisines. Starbucks is here too. Very colourfully set up. Great spot for lunch or dinner.
You'll find a well laid out arcade games area on the next level.
There's a free matrix experience that was closed when we came in early March but is due to open in March in the spring.
Great views outdoors especially on level 17 where there's fine dining, a stall that sells doughnuts and ice cream."
Maria Ngo
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kabukicho Tower is easily accessible via Shinjuku Station. Take the East Exit and walk for about 5 minutes. It's a prominent landmark, hard to miss!
Kabukicho is generally safe, but it's a busy entertainment district. Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Stick to main streets and avoid overly persistent touts.
Walking is the best way to experience Kabukicho's vibrant atmosphere. The area is best explored on foot, especially at night when the neon lights are dazzling.
Yes, there are several hotels in and around Kabukicho, including the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower itself, offering convenient access to the district's attractions.
Shinjuku Station is a major hub with numerous train and subway lines. From here, you can easily reach most parts of Tokyo. Kabukicho is a short walk from the East Exit.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the general areas of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, like the food court and shopping areas, is free. However, specific attractions like the arcade, cinema, or immersive experiences may require separate tickets.
Opening hours vary by establishment within the tower. The food hall and arcade generally open around 11 AM, while shops and restaurants have their own hours. The tower itself is a hub of activity throughout the day and night.
Some attractions, like Joypolis (though not directly in Kabukicho Tower, it's a nearby entertainment option), offer passport discounts. It's always worth checking individual attraction websites for potential deals.
Zepp Shinjuku is a concert venue within Kabukicho Tower. Tickets for performances are typically sold through official ticketing platforms and should be booked in advance, especially for popular acts.
The Godzilla Head is a landmark on the Shinjuku Toho Building and is visible from the street. There is no entrance fee to see it from the outside, but there is a cafe nearby.
🎫 🕹️ Entertainment & Activities
Kabukicho Tower offers a wide range of entertainment, including a massive arcade (Namco TOKYO), a cinema, live music venues (Zepp Shinjuku), immersive experiences like 'The Matrix', and various bars and clubs.
Yes, Namco TOKYO on the 3rd floor features a Banpresto TOKYO Figure Collection with anime figures, and numerous gashapon machines with anime-related prizes.
'The Matrix' is an immersive, team-based videogame experience where players navigate dungeons. It's designed for groups and takes about 40-60 minutes.
Yes, you can play Marikart (a Mario Kart-style attraction) at Kabukicho Tower, offering a fun racing experience.
Kabukicho Tower features Japan's largest claw machine on the 3rd floor, offering a challenging and potentially rewarding gaming experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The 2nd floor features Shinjuku Kabuki Hall - Kabuki Yokocho, a lively food court with 10 restaurants serving regional Japanese specialties. There are also various other restaurants and bars throughout the tower.
While Kabuki Yokocho focuses on Japanese regional cuisine, other establishments within Kabukicho Tower and the surrounding area offer a variety of international options, including Starbucks.
Kabuki Yokocho offers a diverse range of Japanese regional dishes, from Hokkaido seafood to other local delicacies, providing a culinary tour of Japan.
Yes, Kabukicho Tower and the surrounding district are filled with numerous bars and izakayas, offering a wide selection of drinks, especially lively in the evenings.
Reviews suggest that the seafood at Hokkaido Shokusai, located within Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, is fresh. A mandatory drink per person is typically required.
📸 📸 Photography
The vibrant neon signs of Kabukicho at night are iconic. The Godzilla Head and the exterior of Tokyu Kabukicho Tower itself offer great photo opportunities.
Yes, certain floors, like the 17th floor with fine dining, offer great views of Tokyo. The tower's height provides panoramic cityscapes.
Be respectful when taking photos. While the area is lively, avoid intrusive photography, especially of individuals working in entertainment establishments.
Nighttime is when Kabukicho truly shines with its dazzling neon lights, making it ideal for vibrant photography. However, daytime offers a different perspective of the architecture.
The Shinjuku Kabuki Hall with its traditional alleyway design and the Namco TOKYO arcade with its colorful games offer visually interesting backdrops for photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🌃 Nightlife Enthusiasts
🎮 Gamers and Anime Fans
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding Kabukicho's Atmosphere
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, a modern addition, stands as a beacon of entertainment within this historic district. It offers a more curated and controlled experience compared to the surrounding streets, housing a variety of attractions that appeal to a broader audience. This contrast between the traditional, sometimes gritty, nightlife of Kabukicho and the sleek, modern offerings of the tower is part of what makes the area so fascinating. Visitors can choose to immerse themselves in the full Kabukicho experience or opt for the more contained entertainment within the tower.
Exploring Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
On the lower floors, you'll find the Shinjuku Kabuki Hall - Kabuki Yokocho on the second floor, a vibrant food court designed to resemble a traditional Japanese alleyway, offering regional specialties from across Japan. The third floor is dedicated to Namco TOKYO, an expansive arcade featuring over 250 gashapon machines and 100 crane games, alongside anime figure collections. For a unique experience, 'The Matrix' offers an immersive videogame adventure for groups. The tower also boasts Zepp Shinjuku, a large concert hall venue, and offers stunning city views from its higher levels.
While the tower offers a more polished entertainment experience, it's still situated in the heart of Kabukicho, so the surrounding district's energy is palpable. Visitors can enjoy the modern amenities of the tower and then step out to experience the broader nightlife of Kabukicho. The combination of diverse entertainment options within the tower makes it a compelling destination for both locals and tourists looking for a dynamic experience in Tokyo.
Safety and Solo Travel in Kabukicho
Despite these warnings, many visitors find Kabukicho to be a safe and exciting place to explore, particularly when sticking to established entertainment venues like Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. The tower itself offers a more controlled environment with various attractions like arcades, restaurants, and cinemas, which can be a comfortable option for those who prefer a less intense experience. The key is to be informed and prepared, allowing you to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Kabukicho responsibly.

Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit