5 must-visit bars in Shinjuku Golden-Gai in Tokyo

This bar serves a good selection of awamori (Okinawa’s shochu) and Okinawan cuisine. You can drink awamori diluted with turmeric tea or sanpin-cha (jasmine tea) just like in Okinawa. It is always crowded with regulars who love the friendly owner’s home cooking.

A small Russian izakaya that opened in 1973, making it one of the oldest in the area. The owner will gladly get out his guitar when asked. Do try their selection of vodkas if you go – some of them are quite rare.

Pay a 500-yen table charge fee to feast on dagashi. This is a kind of inexpensive snack that kids buy with their pocket money, which is why Japanese people love the nostalgic taste of them. Even though you know that these snacks are not nutritious at all, you just can’t resist. All drinks are 700 yen.

A themed otaku bar: home electrical appliances and digital gadgets as wel as retro games. Enjoy drinks and games here, as they have roughly 600 FamiCon cassettes, while listening to some weirdly cool music.

This bar’s concept is that of a waiting room at a hospital. The staff wear nurse uniforms. All the cocktails have unique names. If you do not understand Japanese, ask the nurse. But be warned, some of the names are rather outrageous. Don’t be disgusted, it is just their unique sense of humour.