Otsuka/Sugamo/Komagome/Akabane

Otsuka, Sugamo, Komagome, and Akabane are downtown areas north of Tokyo's Yamanote Line. With few tourists and many regulars, these are deep nightlife spots. Small neon-lit shops line the streets from station fronts to back alleys.

Geographically, Otsuka is a junction of the Yamanote Line and the Toden Arakawa Line; Sugamo is known as 'Grandma's Harajuku'; Komagome is near Rikugien Garden and Somei Cemetery; Akabane is a major JR Keihin-Tohoku Line station. Each has its own character, but at night, all have drinking districts.

The nightlife centers on hostess bars (kyabakura) and girls bars (girls bar). Dozens of hostess bars cluster around Otsuka Station's north exit and Akabane Station's east exit. Prices are cheaper than central Tokyo, around 3,000–5,000 yen for 30 minutes. Snack bars (snack) are also common, with a homey atmosphere of mama-san and regulars.

Concept cafes (concept cafe) and karaoke (karaoke) are scattered throughout. Akabane is especially famous as a 'drinking town,' with tiny snack bars and bars crammed into back alleys. Host clubs (host club) are fewer, but a few exist in Otsuka.

Access is convenient via JR Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line. All stations are on the Yamanote Line. Many shops are open late, but some snack bars close before the last train.

The best time is 8–11 PM. Fridays and Saturdays are especially crowded. Hostess bars and girls bars are easy to enter even for first-timers, but snack bars have many regulars, so knowing some Japanese helps.