A shambling area of tiny bars in narrow alleys, Golden Gai is a reminder of a centuries-old Tokyo, away from the neon and hi-tech vibe
I was in Tokyo with The Pale Blue Dots (Super Furry Animals’ Huw “Bunf” Bunford’s side project) shooting a video for their ambient soundscape Tokyo Hotel Silence. On an evening off, I was directed to Golden Gai, a small area of the Shinjuku district, by our local guide.
This collection of six ancient alleyways is like an old Japanese shanty town, and is how large parts of Tokyo once looked. It’s dark and run down and, if I didn’t already know Tokyo, I’d have been a little scared. The blocks of small buildings house about 200 tiny bars, all of which feel as though you’re drinking in someone’s living room. Some have themes, some only let in people who’ve been introduced by other regulars, but some want to attract tourists.
