Not ready to call it a day? There’s plenty to do in Tokyo after the sun sets!

An izakaya crawl in Tokyo is a journey into the heart of Japanese food culture, where sake and skewered delicacies await the adventurous palate. If you haven’t heard of izakayas, these are casual Japanese pubs that serve a wide variety of small-plated dishes and drinks—great for a light dinner or supper in the wee hours of the night. 

Must-trys include skewered meats and vegetables (yakitori, kushiyaki), fried foods (tempura, tonkatsu), and side dishes (edamame, gyoza). For a truly local experience, pair your foods with sake (a Japanese rice wine with subtle flavours ranging from fruity to earthy) or sochu (a Japanese distilled spirit known for its crisp flavour).

A must-visit izakaya spot is Torikizoku, an izakaya chain known for delicious skewers at budget prices. For a more traditional experience, check out Gompachi Nishi-Azabu, the inspiration for the setting of the Hollywood cult hit "Kill Bill." 

Get directions to Torikizoku Shinjuku Kabukicho (4-minute walk from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Gompachi Nishi-Azabu (19-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Want to watch the sunset or admire the city lights in Tokyo as you sip on a drink? A popular splurge option is CE LA VI Tokyo, a posh space with breathtaking terrace views. Prefer to keep things casual? Head to the laid-back Two Rooms Grill | Bar, which offers a lovely rooftop view from just five floors up.

Get directions to CE LA VI Tokyo (24-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Two Rooms Grill | Bar (21-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Ready to indulge your inner party animal? You’ll love the infectious nocturnal energy at Kabukicho’s Golden Gai, an alleyway of over 200 tiny bars and clubs. You can book a guided tour to have a local show you around Kabukicho, or simply check out the streets on your own, using Google Maps to locate the area’s best-rated bars and restaurants.

Get directions to Golden Gai (8-minute walk from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

For Tokyo’s best “live” music, head to Shimokitazawa, an area well-known for its indie and alternative music scene. Here, you’ll find small bars and clubs that host performances every night. But if you’re a jazz music fan, drop in at the Minato district for Blue Note Tokyo, a world-renowned jazz club that attracts both local and international musicians.

Get directions to Shimokitazawa (20-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Blue Note Tokyo (24-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Tokyo's video gaming arcades are a world unto themselves—in fact, a visit to these arcades is like stepping into an alternate reality, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. Only have time for one arcade during your visit? Head to Taito Station in either Akihabara or Shinjuku; this is a popular Japanese arcade chain that offers a wide variety of games, from classic games to the latest virtual reality experiences. 

Get directions to Taito Station Akihabara (26-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Taito Station Shinjuku (5-minute walk from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Revel in the funny side of life at Tokyo’s favourite comedy clubs, many of which run performances in English. For maximum laughs, head to the highly rated Tokyo Comedy Bar to catch both local and international acts.

Get directions to Tokyo Comedy Bar (25-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Hoping to spend the day—and night—at a theme park? Your best bet is Tokyo DisneySea, which opens till 9.00pm on most nights and features a variety of nighttime shows and parades, topped off by kaleidoscopic fireworks displays. 

Get directions to Tokyo DisneySea (48-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Did you know that karaoke was invented in Japan? The Japanese word "karaoke" combines two words—"kara," meaning empty, and "oke," meaning orchestra—with the first karaoke machine created by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in 1971. Back then, a karaoke machine was a simple device that played instrumental versions of songs and displayed the lyrics on a screen, allowing people to sing along. It quickly gained popularity in Japan, and soon spread to other countries, becoming a global phenomenon.

If you’re in the Shinjuku area, it’s fairly easy to locate a well-rated karaoke bar using Google Maps. For a good selection of English songs with friendly staff, pop into Bar Amici and get set to sing your heart out!

Get directions to Bar Amici (6-minute walk from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Need assistance for your Tokyo holiday? Contact the team at HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel!