Solo journey in Japan: Hidden beer backyard in Tokyo is a haven for single guests

This rooftop in Kabukicho is a hidden oasis the place all diners will really feel welcome. 

Japan is nicely arrange for solo travellers, with counter seating at eating places and personal karaoke cubicles being a number of the ways in which events of 1 can have an excellent evening out whereas having fun with their very own firm. However, there are nonetheless some locations in Japan that may look like too excessive a hurdle for a solo traveller to clear, with certainly one of them being rooftop beer gardens.

Our reporter Yuuichiro Wasai discovered himself on this place just lately, when he was within the temper to go to a beer backyard he’d heard about, however wasn’t in a position to line up free time in his schedule with any of his buddies earlier than the tip of summer time. Rather than miss out on this very quintessential Japanese summertime expertise, he determined to chew the bullet and headed as much as the beer backyard himself.

As quickly as he stepped out of the elevator, he began to really feel a bit of anxious on the prospect forward of him, as a result of beer gardens are usually a energetic, convivial expertise often loved by teams of buddies. However, as he appeared round, he started to really feel extra comfy, as he realised that the place had simply the right combination of informal aptitude and bustling exercise that helped him mix into the group.

Though he’d feared that his solo beer backyard journey is perhaps a hellish expertise, this place turned out to be heaven, fairly actually, because it’s known as “Tenku no Machi – Shinjuku Asia Yokocho”, which is translated into English as “City of Heaven Asian Yokocho“.

▼ “Yokocho” means “alley”

Reaching for a menu earlier than taking a seat, Yuuichiro browsed via dishes like carbonara and churrasco, and a world number of beers, together with Heineken and Zima, all of which didn’t appear to match up with the place’s “Asian Yokocho” moniker, however the choices appeared scrumptious so he wasn’t complaining.

The desk Yuuichiro was proven to initially had solely menus for particular person dishes and drinks however he later discovered that all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink plans are additionally accessible. He wasn’t right here for a protracted beer-guzzling feast, although, so he was joyful to order particular person dishes, and he felt that the venue provided good worth contemplating its location.

▼ One of the largest attracts right here is the view.

This constructing is in Kabukicho, adjoining to the constructing with the large Godzilla head, so it’s an thrilling place to take a seat and expertise the realm from a unique angle.

With the streets of Kabukicho stretching out under, Yuuichiro felt like he’d found a hidden gem in Tokyo, unknown to the individuals under. The evening view from the rooftop is so spectacular that it’s simple to overlook you’re eating alone, and though there’s a 330-yen (US$2.06) seating cost – seating fees are just about commonplace for ingesting institutions like this one in Japan – Yuuichiro felt it was definitely worth the cash.

After ordering a draft beer (780 yen for a medium mug) and a churrasco platter (1,580 yen), his complete got here to lower than 3,000 yen, which he felt was good worth.

▼ The beer was chilly and refreshing and the meals was glorious.

Though he gave the impression to be the one solo buyer within the beer backyard, Yuuchiro says he didn’t really feel uncomfortable. He didn’t really feel like anybody was taking a look at him both, as the shoppers round him had been both deep in dialog or targeted on the evening view, so being alone didn’t appeal to a lot consideration.

▼ The tables are spacious and comfortably separated, so he wasn’t rubbing shoulders with anybody, making him really feel like he was in his personal VIP part.

▼ He felt so comfy that he even made one other order, this time for a plate of recent spring rolls (880 yen), so he might benefit from the evening view for longer.

With nice views, chilly beer and good meals, it is a place the place all diners will really feel welcome, whether or not they’re in a giant group of buddies or eating alone. Combined with the vitality of the town round you, and the sense of openness created by the beer backyard itself, this rooftop oasis has simply the proper vibe to make solo eating a simple hurdle to clear.

Restaurant data

～Tenku no Machi～ Shinjuku Asia Yokocho (Shinjuku Tenku Beer Garden 2026) / ～天空の街～ 新宿アジア横丁（新宿天空ビアガーデン2026）
Address: Tokyo-to Shinjuku-ku Kabukicho 1-21-1 Daini Toa Kaikan rooftop
東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-21-1第二東亜会館屋上
Open: 11 a.m.-5 a.m.
Website

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