Discover Japan's Most Interesting Bars

Step into 8bit Cafe, a nostalgic haven in Shinjuku where retro gaming meets creative cocktails. Play classic consoles, sip game-themed drinks, and relive the golden era of gaming.

A baroque gem in Golden Gai, Albatross blends chandeliers, velvet, and eclectic art into a cozy multi-level bar with inventive cocktails and a ¥500 cover.

Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo is a mystical, apothecary-style cocktail bar where master mixologist Hiroyasu Kayama crafts bespoke drinks using farm-grown herbs. With no menu, every sip is a unique experience in one of Asia’s best bars.

Tokyo’s revered basement bar in Ginza where legendary bartender Hidetsugu Ueno crafts classic‑style cocktails with precision, hand‑carved ice, and a warm, intimate vibe. A must‑visit for cocktail purists seeking quality and tradition.

Step into Bar TRENCH in Ebisu—Tokyo’s cozy herbal cocktail den. Hidden down a back alley, it showcases Japan’s largest bitters collection, absinthe rituals, and sharp bartenders in a dim, vintage-meets-European setting.

Enter through a yellow "Book Store" door into Bee's Knees, Kyoto's hidden speakeasy where 1920s charm meets inventive cocktails and a lively hip-hop vibe.

Hidden above a café in Kyoto, Kazubar is a candlelit speakeasy offering an intimate, unmarked escape with craft cocktails and eclectic vibes.

Step aboard Kiha, Tokyo’s quirky train-themed bar! Enjoy one-cup sake and nostalgic canned bites in an authentic subway-car setting—complete with handles, straps & conductor vibes. A ride for the senses in Ningyocho!

Step into a whimsical world of magic and mixology at L'Escamoteur Bar in Kyoto, where enchanting cocktails and vintage charm await.

Descend into the deep: Shinka is an immersive underwater-themed bar in Osaka where bioluminescent jellyfish glow above you and cocktails reflect the mystery of the sea.

Experience a night of thrills at The Lockup, Tokyo's infamous prison-themed izakaya, where you're "arrested," dine in jail cells, and enjoy spooky surprises.

A three-level cocktail haven in Shibuya blending Japanese and American mixology with immersive design—casual, refined, and exclusive vibes all in one.

Virtù, perched on the 39th floor of Four Seasons Tokyo, blends Parisian elegance with Japanese artistry. Sip innovative cocktails infused with local flavors while enjoying breathtaking skyline views. A must-visit for refined mixology lovers!

Sip spiritual vibes at Vowz Bar—a cozy Shinjuku hideaway run by Buddhist monks, where temple-themed cocktails, sutra chants, vegan snacks, and enlightening conversation blend for a serene yet surprising night out.