Kabuki-Cho

Sure, Kabuki-Cho may be Tokyo’s red light district, but it is nowhere near as in your face as De Wallen, Amsterdam’s notorious red light district. Like many areas of Tokyo, Kabuki-Cho was flattened during the bombing raids of World War II but was rebuilt as a residential are… and then slowly transformed into its present day form, complete with over 3,000 clubs, bars, massage parlors, adult DVD stores and love hotels; which rather than being seedy are actually extremely elegant and each has exotic and diverse themes. It is almost like being in Las Vegas for the night.

Kabuki-Cho is an interesting place to come for a drink or three, especially if you are a fan of people-watching and soaking up the local ambiance. However, some high-end places may deny access to gaijin (foreigners). If you are traveling with that special someone, consider getting a love hotel for a truly unique experience. They do sell out during peak clubbing hours, especially on weekends, however you can also find them in Shibuya (to be hyperlinked).