Golden Gai

More than 250 tiny drinking dens are crammed into four ramshackle streets in east Shinjuku between Kuyakusho Dori and Hanazono shrine. Each place has a unique vibe – ranging from high-end cocktails to hard rock – and the atmosphere can be anywhere from friendly to downright hostile. Most bars charge a seating fee of ¥1,000 – although this can get as high as ¥4,000.

Adapted from Time Out Tokyo City Guide, 6th edition