Tokyo Dining / Nightlife

Boasting more than 100,000 restaurants, the only problem when going for dinner in Tokyo, is too much choice. Tokyo is truly a gourmet's delight; whether you prefer stand-up noodle shops, exclusive kaiseki restaurants or sushi bars, Tokyo has something for everyone. Many of the more pricey venues offer great deals for lunch, so it is worth making the most of these culinary delights earlier in the day. Book ahead for most places, especially at the weekends.

Izakaya, meaning "drinking house", is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food. They're great places for a casual meal, with a wide selection of food, hearty atmosphere and, of course, plenty of beer and sake. Izakaya food is usually fairly inexpensive and typically includes yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken), kushiyaki, sashimi and grilled fish. Here we list some popular Tokyo izakayas and restaurants that serve izakaya food.

Tokyo has plenty of cafés and tea shops to soak up the local atmosphere and escape the city's commercial hustle and bustle. Café culture is thriving in Tokyo, where novelties such as the manga craze have taken over many venues. In addition, the Japanese are caffeine fanatics and kissaten (coffee shops) have been set up on every corner to cater to this demand.

Once the sun sets, the pulse in the city starts beating as Tokyo offers a delightful mix of friendly pubs, well-designed bars and nightspots. The drabness fades, the city blossoms into a profusion of giant neon lights and paper lanterns, and its streets fill with millions of people out to have a good time. Feel the pulse of Tokyo's nightlife by visiting some of Tokyo's most popular bars.

Tokyo at night is one of the craziest cities in the world, a city that never gives up and never seems to sleep. Like everything in Tokyo, the club scene is developing fast with new venues opening by the month. Entertainment districts are as crowded at 3am as they are at 10pm, with many nightclubs open until the first subways start running after 5am. Whether it’s jazz, reggae, dance clubs, mania, or madness that you’re searching for, Tokyo has it all.