Kichijoji / Mitaka / Musashi-Sakai

Exiting Kichijoji Station's north exit, the drinking district's lights spread into the back alleys. This area, where office workers and students pass through, is not as flashy as central Tokyo but has a locally rooted night face.

Kichijoji is where the JR Chuo Line and Keio Inokashira Line intersect; Mitaka and Musashi-Sakai are a few minutes away on the Chuo Line. The station areas have many shopping streets and parks, bustling with shoppers during the day, but at night the snack bars and bars in the alleys quietly open.

The nightlife center is the alleys west of Kichijoji Station's north exit. A few hostess bars and girls bars are scattered, and snack bars range from old-school Showa-era establishments to newer ones. Concept cafes have also increased recently, with anime- and game-themed shops attracting younger crowds. Pricing: hostess bars around 5,000–8,000 yen per hour, girls bars around 3,000–5,000 yen, slightly cheaper than central Tokyo.

Mitaka Station's south exit has a small snack bar street, and around Musashi-Sakai Station, snack bars and izakayas are dotted among residential areas. Not a large entertainment district, but characterized by a homey atmosphere centered on local regulars.

Access is convenient via the JR Chuo Line local trains. Kichijoji to Shinjuku takes about 15 minutes. Last trains are early (around midnight), so consider taxis or night buses. Friday and Saturday nights are busiest, but weekdays are quieter for drinking.

Casual dress is fine, but a jacket is safe for hostess bars or upscale snack bars. English support is limited, so learning a few simple Japanese phrases will help.