Also known as zama-city
Zama City is a bedroom community in central Kanagawa, with a quiet nightlife scene featuring hostess bars, girls bars, and snack bars scattered around.
Zama City's nightlife is calm and removed from the hustle of central Tokyo. Walking along the streets near the station, you'll find snack bars and girls bars with modest neon signs, welcoming local regulars.
Most venues are concentrated within a 5-minute walk from Zama Station, on both the north and south exits. It's easy to explore without getting lost.
The nightlife scene is centered on snack bars and girls bars, with a few hostess bars (kyabakura) as well. Prices are reasonable: snack bars charge around ¥2,000 cover, girls bars from ¥3,000 per hour, and hostess bars are slightly higher but still affordable compared to Tokyo.
Venues are small—many snack bars have only counter seats, and girls bars may have just 4–5 seats. The atmosphere is homey, with close interaction between staff and customers.
Access is convenient via Odakyu Line's Zama Station, about 40 minutes by express from Shinjuku. Most places open from 8 PM to midnight, with Fridays and Saturdays being busiest.
For first-timers, strolling along the snack bar street near the station is recommended. Even without Japanese, a smile and gestures go a long way. However, don't expect English menus at hostess bars or girls bars.
Zama City runs on table-service venues: kyabakura (hostess clubs), girls bars, and snack bars. You pay a set fee by the hour, with nomination (shimei) and drink charges on top, so check each venue’s all-in price before you sit down.
Zama City is generally fine for a night out. The main risk is bottakuri, a padded bill at the end. Stick to venues that post their prices, skip street touts steering you into ‘free’ bars, and confirm the set fee plus any nomination or bottle charges before you order.
Popular services in Zama City include girls bars (flat drink charge, conversational setting), karaoke snack bars, and hostess clubs with shimei nomination options.
Visa / Mastercard / JCB accepted at most venues
Editor-curated · 4 slots per month
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