Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho

An atmospheric alley in the old style with bars and pubs. Crowded with customers, so you won't necessarily find a seat. Visited in 2024

Just kicked out from this one, the moment we had our beers drunk after he made us pay when we clearly hadn’t ask for the bill. With a very rude face and persistent disturbing look, he clearly showed us the way out with his hand.. have your beers somewhere else.

Nonbei Yokocho, often referred to as "Drunkard's Alley," is a narrow, atmospheric alleyway located near Shibuya Station in Tokyo. This hidden gem is filled with tiny, intimate bars, most of which can only accommodate a handful of customers at a time. The area exudes a nostalgic charm, with many of the establishments retaining a retro, Showa-era ambiance. It's a popular spot for those looking to enjoy a quiet drink in a cozy, authentic setting, away from the bustling crowds of Shibuya. ### How to Get There: To reach Nonbei Yokocho, you can take the following steps: 1. **By Train**: Take a train to **Shibuya Station**, one of Tokyo's major transit hubs, served by several lines including the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Fukutoshin Line. 2. **Exit the Station**: Once at Shibuya Station, head towards the **Hachiko Exit**. This exit is famous for the Hachiko Statue, a popular meeting point. 3. **Walk to Nonbei Yokocho**: From the Hachiko Exit, cross the iconic Shibuya Crossing and head towards the area beneath the railway tracks. Nonbei Yokocho is located just a short walk from the crossing, along the right side of the railway tracks (if facing the station). Look for a small entrance marked by red lanterns and signs indicating "Nonbei Yokocho." The alley is just a few minutes' walk from Shibuya Station, making it easily accessible for those exploring the Shibuya area.

Love it, many many very small bars, standing bars. For those who doesn’t look for rest or fancy seating. Very authentic and local experience

Wonderfully quaint with delicious sake and whisky options. The walnut tofu was excellent as was the duck soba. Warm service!

STAY STAY STAY away from the food area. 2 months in Japan and this was by far the worst place we ever ate. All sorts of taxes and table charge is added on top. It takes 30 min for each dish to arrive and most of it was overcooked. 16500 yen charge for four people, which is twice as much as we ever paid our two months in Japan

This review is specifically for Amulet, one of the bars tucked inside the alley the furthest end from the street. I came here with my mother for a quick drink. I don’t know what the staff’s deal was but both the host and bartender barely made eye contact with us and were very standoff ish and rude which just felt off-putting a surprising for Tokyo. Similar to other of the bar’s reviews, bartender seemed almost annoyed we were there. Oddly, they were friendly to the couple sitting next to us visiting from Poland so unsure if it was because we had an American accent and didn’t like Americans. I’m pretty sure we also got ripped off. I paid about ¥2,600 for a glass of Japanese whisky neat and a ginger ale and after researching other reviews and places nearby, I’m now realizing that may have been far too much for what I received. I didn’t think much of it at first because of how much I pay in the states. In retrospect, the host and bartender giggled a little when they presented my bill and intuitively it felt weird/off. Bad vibes from this place and I didn’t feel good leaving. Disappointed because I was excited to take my mom to experience these izakayas but the negative experience at this place threw me and my mom off completely from coming to nonbei yokocho and we ended up just wanting to go home.

You will mesmerized by this alley. It looks very unique and traditional, obviously you need to pay everything in cash. Ask the price in advance

Yasaiya's hidden away in the quaint Nonbei Yokocho. It's a few steps from Shibuya Station, though there aren't any signs pointing to it, so if you don't look for it, you'll miss it. Vegetable yakitori and sake is the name of the game here. As the name hints, it's a vegetable shop. The shiitake mushrooms with wasabi stood out from the other grilled vegetable dishes I tried. But the best item I ordered was the only meat option on the menu - duck breast. You can have it made 2 ways, with either ponzu sauce or salt. Since the portions are small, I elected to order both ways. The ponzu was good, but probably masked most of the taste. The salted duck, in my opinion, was much better. Yasaiya isn't cheap and the bill can add up quick with a few dishes, drinks, and the "cover" fee that a lot these small places charge. A definite recommendation for a small snack, but wouldn't suggest coming here with any empty stomach.