Shinjuku Golden-Gai: A Nightlife Haven in Tokyo

Getting There

• Public Transportation - Train

  Start your journey in Higo by heading to Kumamoto Station. From there, take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo Station. The ticket price for a one-way trip is approximately 13,000 yen. Once you arrive at Tokyo Station, transfer to the JR Yamanote Line, which is a loop line connecting major areas of Tokyo. Take the train towards Shinjuku Station. The ride from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station will take around 15-20 minutes. Upon arriving at Shinjuku Station, exit the station and follow the signs for the East Exit.

• Walking from Shinjuku Station

  After exiting Shinjuku Station from the East Exit, walk straight along the main road (Shinjuku-dori) for about 10 minutes. You will pass by various shops and restaurants. Keep an eye out for the Kabukicho area; Golden-Gai is located within this entertainment district. Turn right into the narrow alleyways once you reach the Kabukicho area. Look for the signs that direct you to Golden-Gai, which is located at 1 Chome-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo.

• Public Transportation - Bus

  Alternatively, from Kumamoto Station, you can take a highway bus directly to Shinjuku. The bus ride takes approximately 12 hours and costs around 10,000 yen. Once you arrive at the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, follow the signs to the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. From there, the walking directions to Golden-Gai are the same as mentioned previously.

• Car Rental

  If you prefer to drive from Higo to Shinjuku, rent a car and take the Kyushu Expressway towards Fukuoka, then connect to the Sanyo Expressway and finally take the Tomei Expressway towards Tokyo. The total drive is approximately 900 kilometers and will take about 10-12 hours, depending on traffic. Upon reaching Tokyo, navigate to Shinjuku using a GPS or map application. Parking in the Shinjuku area can be challenging, so consider using nearby parking facilities and then walking to Golden-Gai.