By early evening the scramble crossing is full, the station exits are busy with people meeting under the Hachikō statue, and the streets north and west of the tracks start filling with diners and drinkers. Later, the centre of gravity shifts to the clubs and bars on the Dōgenzaka and Maruyama side.
Shibuya is a major centre for nightclubs, music and dancing, and it also holds a large stock of cheap izakaya, small bars and cafés. It suits visitors who want a busy, youthful night out with plenty of choice within walking distance of the station, and who are happy to move between several small places rather than settle in one.
Where to go out in Shibuya
1. Nonbei-yokochō
A narrow alley running alongside the east side of the Yamanote tracks just north of the station, Nonbei-yokochō is packed with traditional yakitori taverns and some modern, extremely tiny bars. It was formed in 1955, and a few of the shops have been operating since then.
It suits a quiet start to the evening or a break between larger venues, when you want a few small drinks in close succession rather than one long stay.
2. Dōgenzaka and Maruyama
This is the club side of Shibuya, where large venues sit in the same blocks as bars and cafés. The character varies sharply from door to door, so it rewards walking the streets first and deciding on the spot.
It suits a late night built around dancing. Note that some clubs in this area have door policies: one large two-floor hip-hop club is described as admitting foreigners only if they bring along a Japanese friend.
3. Udagawachō and Jinnan
The streets north and west of the station mix cafés, izakaya and pubs, including a smoke-free British-style pub with a large range of Japanese and international beers on tap, and an outlet of a British micro-brewery. Cafés here range from a jazzy 1960s-style room to a small café-bar-restaurant that caters to a young alternative rock crowd.
It suits an early, conversational evening, or a warm-up before the clubs. If you want to talk about music rather than shout over it, this is the area to choose.
4. Izakaya
Cheap and cheerful izakaya are scattered about Shibuya, including the Watami and Outami chains, which are described as good but not too inspiring watering holes.
It suits groups and anyone wanting food with their drinks without committing to a long meal. These are the easiest places to settle into if you are still finding your bearings.
5. Small bars and cocktail rooms
Away from the main drags there are small, high-end bars, including one acclaimed bar where the drinks are described as more works of art than cocktails, with seats reservable from an English webpage.
It suits a slower, more deliberate night for two, or a single well-made drink at the end of the evening.
6. Cafés
Cafés stay part of the night out here, not just the day. Options include a jazzy café with 1960s decor and moody lighting, and a café in front of a clothing store on Shibuya Koen Dori with coffee and sandwiches.
It suits an early meet-up, a break from drinking, or a place to sit and plan the rest of the night.
How a night out unfolds
The sources describe venues with start times in the late afternoon and evening, and closing times around 02:00 for several bars, with clubs running all night. Pubs open from 16:00 on weekdays and from noon at weekends and holidays, with a last order at 22:45 at one of them. Plan to eat early, drink into the small hours, and expect the club part of the night to begin after midnight.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Setsubun — early February.
- Coming of Age Day — January.
- Culture Day — November.
- Labor Thanksgiving Day — November.
- Christmas — December.
- New Year's Day and the bank holidays around it — late December into early January.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of night is Shibuya best for?
Clubs, music and dancing, with plenty of cheap izakaya and small bars to fill the hours around them. It is a major centre for nightlife rather than a quiet dining district.
Where can I drink if I don't want a club?
Nonbei-yokochō for yakitori taverns and tiny bars, the izakaya scattered around the ward, and the pubs and cafés in Udagawachō and Jinnan.
How late do places stay open?
Several bars close around 02:00, and clubs run all night. One pub's last order is at 22:45, so check before you commit to a late drink there.
Is there anything to do before the clubs open?
Yes. Cafés, izakaya and pubs start serving in the afternoon and early evening, and there are movie theatres and electronics stores nearby.
Decide which part of the ward suits the evening you want, then plan your route from the station so you spend the night out rather than queuing.