Kabukicho: Godzilla Head, Night Walks and Avoiding Touts

The red lit-up Kabukicho Ichibangai gate at night, with neon signs along the street behind itPhoto: Ons / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Areas
Photo: Ons / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026

Kabukicho is the entertainment district on the east side of Shinjuku Station, full of neon signs, cinemas, restaurants and bars that stay busy late into the night. It is home to the life-size Godzilla head on the Shinjuku Toho Building. This page covers the main sights, how to enjoy the area at night, how to deal with street touts and how to get there. For the rest of the area, see our Shinjuku guide.

Quick facts

WhereEast side of Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Godzilla HeadA life-size Godzilla head on the 8th-floor terrace of the Shinjuku Toho Building
Shinjuku Toho Building1-19-1 Kabukicho. Completed in 2015, with a cinema (TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku), a hotel and restaurants
Nearest stationsSeibu-Shinjuku Station, about a 3-minute walk. JR Shinjuku Station, about a 5-minute walk (to the Shinjuku Toho Building)
SafetyStreet touting is banned in Shinjuku City. Do not follow touts into bars
Last checkedNovember 2026
The red lit-up Kabukicho Ichibangai gate at night, with neon signs along the street behind it
Photo: Ons / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What to see in Kabukicho

  • Godzilla Head: a life-size Godzilla head on the 8th-floor terrace of the Shinjuku Toho Building, and a landmark of Kabukicho. The terrace is behind the lobby of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, inside the building.
  • Godzilla manhole covers: two Godzilla-design manhole covers are on the sidewalk in front of the Shinjuku Toho Building, on the Central Road side. In 2015, Shinjuku City gave Godzilla a special certificate of residence and made it a Shinjuku tourism ambassador.
  • Tokyu Kabukicho Tower: a tower about 225 meters tall near Seibu-Shinjuku Station, opened in April 2023.
  • Kabukicho Cinecity Square: an open square of over 800 square meters used for events such as concerts and talk shows.

How to enjoy Kabukicho at night

Kabukicho is at its liveliest after dark, when the neon signs are on. A simple way to see it is to walk in from the Shinjuku Station side, find the Godzilla manhole covers in front of the Shinjuku Toho Building, then walk on to Cinecity Square and the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. This order is only a suggestion, so go at your own pace.

  • Eat first: the Shinjuku Toho Building has many restaurants, from ramen to yakiniku. Store hours vary, so check each shop.
  • Small bars: Golden Gai, near Kabukicho, is a maze of very small bars. Some charge a seating fee, so check the sign on the door.
  • Choose your own bar: pick bars yourself and look up reviews online before you go in, rather than following someone from the street.

Street touts and safety tips

Kabukicho is a busy, well-known area, but the Shinjuku Police Station warns that rip-off cases involving bar touts are increasing around Kabukicho. A tout is a person on the street who approaches you and tries to take you to a bar or club. Following them can lead to a very high bill.

  • Do not follow touts. Street touting is banned in Shinjuku City. Simply say no and keep walking.
  • Know the rule: Shinjuku City’s ordinance against touting in public places has been in force since September 2013, and penalties have applied since June 2016. It bans picking out people on the street to take them to places like izakaya, karaoke, hostess clubs and host clubs. Handing out flyers is not banned.
  • Check prices before you order. If you choose an all-you-can-drink plan (nomihodai), check which drinks are included, because some drinks may not be.
  • Research bars online first. The police suggest checking reviews before choosing a place that serves alcohol.
  • If you have trouble: call 110 for the police in an emergency. You can also call the Shinjuku Police Station on 03-3346-0110, or go to the nearest koban (police box).

For more safety tips across the city, see Is Tokyo safe?

Getting there

  • Seibu-Shinjuku Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line): about a 3-minute walk to the Shinjuku Toho Building.
  • Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line and many other lines): about a 5-minute walk to the Shinjuku Toho Building. Kabukicho is on the east side of the station.

FAQ

Where is Kabukicho?

On the east side of Shinjuku Station in Shinjuku City, Tokyo. The Shinjuku Toho Building with the Godzilla head is about a 5-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station.

Where is the Godzilla head in Shinjuku?

On the 8th-floor terrace of the Shinjuku Toho Building at 1-19-1 Kabukicho. The terrace is behind the lobby of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.

Is Kabukicho safe for tourists?

It is a busy area, but the police warn about rip-offs involving bar touts. Do not follow touts, choose bars yourself, and check prices before you order.

What should I do if a tout approaches me?

Say no and keep walking. Street touting is banned in Shinjuku City. If you have trouble, call 110 or go to the nearest koban.

What is the nearest station to Kabukicho?

Seibu-Shinjuku Station is about a 3-minute walk from the Shinjuku Toho Building, and JR Shinjuku Station is about a 5-minute walk.

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Sources

This page is based on the official information below, not on our own visit. Last checked: November 2026. Facts last checked against official sources on November 11, 2026. Hours and rules can change, so please check before you go.