Tachikawa

Exit the north exit of Tachikawa Station and neon signs immediately catch your eye. Step into the side streets from the main avenue, and you'll find a sprawling drinking district bustling with office workers and young groups.

Tachikawa is known as a bedroom community of Tokyo, with commercial facilities and office buildings around the station. At night, restaurants and nightlife spots come alive, especially on the north side, which is the main entertainment area. The south side also has some venues, but the north is overwhelmingly livelier.

The core of Tachikawa's nightlife is hostess bars (kyabakura) and girls bars. Dozens of venues are concentrated within a 5-minute walk from the station, with relatively reasonable prices, making it easy for first-timers to enter. There are also many snack bars, popular with local regulars. Recently, concept cafes have been increasing, with anime and game-themed shops gaining popularity.

Hostess bar prices range from 5,000 to 8,000 yen per 60 minutes, cheaper than central Tokyo. Girls bars are even more affordable, with cover charges of 1,000 to 2,000 yen and drinks around 500 yen. Snack bars are adult social venues where you enjoy conversation with the mama and regulars; prices vary but are generally low.

Access to Tachikawa is via JR Chuo, Nambu, and Ome lines, about 30 minutes from Shinjuku on a rapid train. Many venues stay open late, but be mindful of last train times. Weekends are especially crowded, so reservations are recommended.

For first-timers, starting at a girls bar or snack bar near the north exit is a good idea. Hostess bars often have first-time discounts. English-speaking venues are limited, but gestures and translation apps work fine.