This place is quaint. But it only sells yakitori and some soupy dishes. It is very cramped. The shop we went to was run by 2 mainland chinese and the prices were exorbitant. What we paid could have got us a good meal elsewhere.
From the bustling, glittering high rises in Shinjuku, this was like stepping into another world filled with lanterns, bamboo, tiny divey eateries filled with locals and salary men, and peeking tourists. One of my favorite experiences in Tokyo. Felt very authentic and smelled amazing with all the food grilling. A lot of signs that said No Photos! which seemed odd. All kinds of foods available, including apparently whale and horse. o_0
A must visit in Shinjuku!
This is a very small alley but worth exploring. The eateries are extremely small ( 5-10 people at most).
Very different than the rest of Shinjuku or other parts of Tokyo.
This little part of Shinjuku (just west of the station) was called ‘Piss Alley’ in the past because of the habit of Japanese men after they’d enjoyed several hours in the tiny izakayas (bar/restaurant). The nick-name lingers, even though the habits have cleaned up a little these days.
Take a wander through these back streets – day or night – for a taste of an older Tokyo. Within metres of the neon lights and noise of Robot Restaurants and other modern entertainment in Kabukicho, you can lose yourself in the narrow laneways lined with the wooden facades of little izakayas, with light and sound – voices, music - occasionally spilling out as a diner emerges after enjoying his drinks and barbecued fare.
The laneways are often decorated according to the season.
If you’re lucky, you might even get a seat inside one of the izakayas, but often you’ll have to stand and wait to get in as they are very small and popular!
Visited a couple of times on the way to Kabukicho, loads of little restaurants (izakaya’s) and smells amazing as you walk through. Much less touristy and less of a rip off than golden gai.
