The 10 Best Nightclubs in Tokyo

Located in the heart of the constantly buzzing Shibuya neighbourhood is one of Tokyo’s most revered and impressive clubs. With an excellent sound system and a clientele who are reliably up for a good time, it’s clear why the likes of Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock, Nicolas Jaar and Giorgio Moroder have rolled through Contact’s doors in recent times. The main room features a very strict no-drinks, no-cameras policy, and the venue tends to attract the more discerning techno and dance music fan. The entrance is hidden back from the city’s main streets, and to gain access to the venue, visitors must register online to become a member, but once you get through the doors of Contact you’ll agree the effort is worth it.

Roppongi is well known as Tokyo’s ultimate clubbing suburb, and one of the area’s most popular nightspots is A-Life. It’s spread over three floors, and the music here is all about unpretentious, good old-fashioned fun – think cheesy bangers and top-40 hits. The venue also offers great value for money, with three drinks for ¥1,000 (£7) before 11pm.

Want an alternative to the commercial music played at many Tokyo bars? Located underneath the hustle and bustle of Shibuya is The Room, a small basement where you can listen to jazz, soul and R&B tunes. Although it’s small in size compared to your average Tokyo nightclub, The Room’s great selection of music and relaxed atmosphere make up for it. This is the spot to be if you’re looking for a low-key evening spent sipping on whiskey with good company.

Originally located along a hidden pathway, Oath moved its location to Shibuya’s Trump Room in 2018, an underground club that has long been popular among trendy young Tokyo fashionistas. A tiny black door leads you into a room decked with chandeliers, lamps, mirrors and even a stuffed deer, creating an elegant and opulent interior. Oath hosts some of the world’s best underground DJs and serves high-quality drinks; the doors stay open until 8am on Saturdays and Sundays, meaning it’s the ideal place to go for a nijikai (after-party).

With multiple dance floors, a roster of the biggest names on the electronic music scene, waterfront views and even a pool on the balcony, AgeHa is the best place to go for a big night out in Tokyo. Because it’s so large, the club is actually located a little out of the city in Shin-Kiba, but there are free shuttle buses to and from Shibuya all night long. Once you get here, though, leaving will be the last thing on your mind.

Arty Farty is a great place to stumble into after a few boozy drinks in the Shinjuku Ni-chōme area, Tokyo’s LGBTQ hub. The popular dance club always has a fun and welcoming crowd, the menu is foreigner-friendly and the drinks are reasonably priced. A cover charge of ¥2,500 (£17) provides guests with one drink once inside and allows you to come and leave as you please, meaning you can hop back and forth to the club from nearby bars. The entrance fee also gives you access to their sister club, The Annex, which is located nearby.

Bar Bridge is like no other club in Tokyo, delivering a wide range of music from jazz and hip-hop to cheesy music from the 1980s, all pumped through their top-grade sound system. Located only a minute away from Shibuya station, the club has an impressive view of the famous Shibuya crossing and features a number of resident DJs who rotate throughout the week. Some of Tokyo’s top DJs play here from time to time, and the venue attracts a diverse crowd, from college graduates to businesspeople reliving their disco days.

This nightclub franchise, which originally opened its doors in Manchester, UK, has locations worldwide and has now opened an outpost in Tokyo. Occupying the top two floors of Q-Plaza, Sankeys Penthouse overlooks Harajuku’s colourful and busy streets. Grab a drink in the casual bar area and dance the night away on the 10th floor, or go upstairs and sit on an almost-too-comfortable couch to chat with friends. With tall ceilings and a terrace, the top floor replicates a fancy hotel bar, making it the perfect place for a sophisticated night on the town.

Having opened its doors in 1997, this Shibuya institution still has a reputation for being the best hip-hop club, not only in Tokyo, but in the whole of Japan. Booking both local and international DJs and performers, the venue is as diverse as the music is loud – and it’s really loud. Harlem is also a great place in Tokyo for witnessing up-and-coming Japanese hip-hop stars cut their teeth and learn the tricks of the trade before taking over the Japanese hip-hop charts.

Ginza is Tokyo’s most popular shopping district, featuring high-end brands and numerous department stores. But among all the glitz and glamour is one of the city’s hottest nightclubs, PLUSTOKYO, which opened its doors in November 2018. Each room has a different theme – step inside to be greeted by an enormous painting of Mount Fuji that resembles murals in Japanese public baths. Continue into several rooms and hallways decorated with modern art pieces and neon signs, a punk-themed VIP room and another room illuminated with pink-hued lighting, all of which combine to make PlusTokyo the perfect playground for art aficionados. This venue has hosted several popular DJs already, including Steve Aoki and Alice Wonderland.