Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the commuting capital of Tokyo, and contains the busiest train station in the world. To the west, there's an office district with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office at its center. To the east, there’s a district with long-established department stores, cinemas and theaters. Shinjuku Gyoen is a park originally built as the garden for the Imperial Household. It is quite famous as a venue for cherry-blossom viewing in March and April. In Shinjuku, many restaurants operate all night, and districts such as Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) or Shinjuku Golden Machi have back streets filled with tiny restaurants and bars that reflect each owner’s unique taste and style.
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See what travelers are saying
- TheOExpress🏴🇭🇰Hong Kong, China6,156 contributionsAtmospheric and picturesque……to wander round and, let’s be honest, take lots of photos too. I stopped off quickly in a branch of Iekei where I had some absolutely delicious miso ramen and some beers for pretty low prices. So good, affordable is available here, you just have to look!Visited February 2024Traveled soloWritten February 17, 2024
- John and Deb KKarratha, Australia820 contributionsWorth the Visit for a Cold Beer and good FoodCrazily busy with people everywhere, we arrived about 6pm and we were lucky to find a small bar/restaurant with 2 seats. The staff were friendly and the service good beer was cold and food was good. Enjoyed our evening.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 31, 2024
- AK95Dubai, United Arab Emirates192 contributionsGood buzz and atmosphereWould highly recommend stopping here for a drink or food. It’s a very busy little street and very hard to find a place that will fit a full group together, most restaurants serve the same type of food so wherever you can get a seat go there! Really good buzz around the street, so if you’ve time definitely visit!Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 6, 2024
- 639abbieCanberra, Australia1,396 contributionsBarbecue lane is well suited to this locationThe vibe on the street was fantastic with smell of barbecue and most stalls are full. We walked through the street but did not eat we just ate but it was sooo tempting. Just go visit if you can but plan for a dining. Oh don’t search with google for yakitori alley as it’ll bring you to a restaurant named that.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 11, 2024
- msa23_2000Chino Hills, California1,522 contributionsCharming alley - great for photos.Memory Lane, is a small ally right by Shinjuku Station that is I were not specifically looking for it I would’ve walked right by. It’s a narrow alley with lots of really small restaurants. I didn’t stop to it, but took some great photos and just gazed in at the food through the windows. As it is narrow, it feels crowded. I would go at sunset when the lights turn on but it is not too crowded.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 12, 2024
- JACChichester, United Kingdom160 contributionsGreat choice of Japanese restaurants in a small alleyway - very lively place to visitLots of Japanese restaurants crammed into a tiny alleyway. Be prepared to wait to be seated but whichever place you choose to eat in will serve excellent food. Beware of the cover charge per person which is a small plate of cabbage or some other Japanese appetizer - the cover charge varies from place to place but you shouldn't be paying more than Yen300 per person. The cover charge replaces the service charge as tipping is uncommon in JapanVisited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 5, 2024
- DaliaMMQSalt Lake City, Utah118 contributionsTraditional foodA little street with a lot of restaurants with traditional food. Just around a few blocks from the Godzilla statue, you can hit the 2 places in the same evening. Big enough for strollers and friendly staff, food is delicious and price is reasonable.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 8, 2024
- KayleeParis, France686 contributionsMust visitOne of the must visits when you’re in Tokyo. Find a place that has locals for a more authentic experience. Most charge a cover charge and make you order drink and food but the prices are okay. Best atmosphere at night, be sure to not linger and hold up the seat once you’re done.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 13, 2024
- 63certo-meLe Barcares, France886 contributions1940Next to Shinjuku area, an alleyway full of bars and places to eat about 80 places. Also known as the Pee Alley, it began as a black market in the late 1940s. Between the watering holes and the lack of bathrooms, hence the nickname. I recommend it more to see than to stayVisited August 2024Traveled with friendsWritten October 27, 2024
- 재복 이Seoul, South Korea271 contributionsNarrow but fun pubSmall shops gather in a narrow alley. It's the right name for Omoyoko, but it's on the other side of the famous Kabukicho Signal Road. I'd like to go and have a jacitoria and a beer. There are many locals, but there are also many foreigners visiting. After the tour, a light drink and go to the hostel.Visited October 2024Traveled soloWritten October 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
1,167 reviews
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384
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510
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197
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37
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鼻でか太郎
Mitaka, Japan10,059 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We went to Kikuya (a famous restaurant) in Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku. There is a second floor seating, and it's good that you can make a reservation. The food and drinks are not that expensive, and it was just over 3,000 yen per person with a bottle of wine. *Ice and water are an additional 500 yen. All the food we ordered was pretty tasty. Garlic tempura (517 yen) tax included Onion and garlic tempura, very filling. Tempura sauce was served separately. French fries (412 yen) tax included The potatoes are fried after the order is placed, but the amount is a little small. Homemade potato salad (495 yen) tax included The color is not white! It was a new type of potato salad that would make a good side dish with a strong flavor. The cost is not bad. Omoide Yokocho has become a tourist spot, and there are many restaurants that are surprisingly expensive, so be careful if you are a first-time visitor! Anyway, the restaurant is small, and depending on the number of people (4 or 6 people) and the seat you're shown, it doesn't feel like you can stay long.

Written November 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SPAZIO_INFINITO
Turin, Italy2,955 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Visiting the beautiful Tokyo can not miss a stop in Omoide Yokocho.
Located in Shinjuku district, along the railway network, a few minutes walk from Studio Alta and Godzilla Street, next to Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Metro Station.
It is a traditional Japanese alley with old wooden buildings and many small family-run restaurants (where they can seat 6/8 people maximum).
The premises are very close together and often the chairs are along the narrow street.
Smoke and fumes from the kitchens pour down the narrow street of Omoide Yokosho.
Here you can find the typical dishes of traditional Japanese cuisine.
The best time to visit us is certainly in the evening with the countless colorful lanterns and the signs of the premises lit.
It is a well-known attraction and therefore quite crowded with tourists.
I would definitely recommend it.
Located in Shinjuku district, along the railway network, a few minutes walk from Studio Alta and Godzilla Street, next to Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Metro Station.
It is a traditional Japanese alley with old wooden buildings and many small family-run restaurants (where they can seat 6/8 people maximum).
The premises are very close together and often the chairs are along the narrow street.
Smoke and fumes from the kitchens pour down the narrow street of Omoide Yokosho.
Here you can find the typical dishes of traditional Japanese cuisine.
The best time to visit us is certainly in the evening with the countless colorful lanterns and the signs of the premises lit.
It is a well-known attraction and therefore quite crowded with tourists.
I would definitely recommend it.
Automatically translated
Written November 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben King
London, UK348 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Truly unique area. The tiny streets and tiny restaurants are like nothing I’ve seen before. Each restaurant has a unique and delightful menu, just venture into whatever restaurant catches your eye. Be warned that a lot of them are cash only and there’s a ‘fee’ for sitting down - but you get an appetiser included in the price. It starts to get busy at around 6pm so try and get here around then. You want the bustling atmosphere!
Written November 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn K
9 contributions
May 2023
It’s narrow and crowded and the many restaurants will refuse to serve you if you don’t order an alcoholic beverage. My companion and I don’t drink though we tried to order soft drinks and food but we were told to leave. They only want to serve you if you are going to drink and the food is very overpriced and cover fees add up if you plan on hopping around. Definitely a tourist trap
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip42085720783
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • Solo
This town is for Nombe, spread out along narrow paths that weave modernity into Showa retro. The izakaya, which you enter in a small, shrunken space, feels cramped but has a certain calming feel to it. A city that offers different gems for each shop and is ready when you return
Automatically translated
Written January 29, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T&F
Montreal, Canada688 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We passed through this area twice, once during the day when nothing is open and then in the evening where these two streets come alive with locals and tourists! It’ a crazy busy and crowded, the stalls are very small so if you intend to eat or have a drink I would recommend arriving early in the evening. It can be overwhelming and there is not much English menus so it could be difficult to really know what your eating. We did not eat because the food raw food was sitting out on counter in warm temperatures and we were concerned of freshness. Mind you we have not really read reviews where people got sick but nevertheless we didn’t want to chance it. The code is absolutely fun. This place is also known as memory lane or piss alley. Do not confuse this with the Golden Gai, two separate areas. Memory Lane is worth the peek to submerge yourself in a different culture. We did a slow walk through and enjoyed watching people converse and laugh!
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah H
Singapore, Singapore190 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
It’s my second time here First experience was great. Hence this round, brought my group of friends here to try and experience. Biggest regret. Nice to see but please don’t eat here. We suspected having foreigners menu. ¥2,000 for 5 skewers. ¥1,000 for one bottle of beer. Total we paid ¥9,800 for 2 bottles beers, 5 skewers and 1 octopus.
Written August 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate M
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
Go to the alley soak up the atmosphere but don’t buy the food or drinks! It’s wildly overpriced and not great quality. We were charged at least 50% more for food there than all the other restaurants we tried. Tokyo has so much to offer but this is a real tourist trap you can avoid!
Written April 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
philjh59
Chesham, UK140 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
We were staying in Shinjuku and decided to try this area even though the reviews were mixed. Yes it is iconic as a typically old street in Tokyo and yes it is fascinating to walk through it but don't stop to eat because the food was awful and extremely over priced. We had eaten in many places before, enjoying all the Japanase/Korean cusine on offer, so it was a shock to be presented with almost inedible skewers of meat and chicken. My advice is to visit the area, take pictures and then eat elsewhere. We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Japan and the meal we had here stood out as being the worst we had by a long shot.
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Purwitanto
Sengata, Indonesia3,076 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
After returning from a one day trip to the Mount Fuji area on a tour bus that stopped in Shinjuku we were quite hungry. We decided to look at Omoide Yokocho because it was not far from where the bus stopped.
The location is in the Shinjuku area, not far from a subway exit that I forgot (there are lots of subway exits at Shinjuku station).
Omoide Yokocho itself is an alley with low, old buildings between the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. Most of the buildings in Omoide Yokocho have been converted into bars or izakaya. We tried eating at a random restaurant, but it seems we chose the wrong one.
The Omoide Yokocho alley is quite attractive with lights and decorations along the alley.
If you happen to be in the Shinjuku area, it's worth a visit.
The location is in the Shinjuku area, not far from a subway exit that I forgot (there are lots of subway exits at Shinjuku station).
Omoide Yokocho itself is an alley with low, old buildings between the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. Most of the buildings in Omoide Yokocho have been converted into bars or izakaya. We tried eating at a random restaurant, but it seems we chose the wrong one.
The Omoide Yokocho alley is quite attractive with lights and decorations along the alley.
If you happen to be in the Shinjuku area, it's worth a visit.

Written November 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to Omoide Yokocho and wanted to take a Seat and have some food in one of the Stand. Instead a welcome the guy inside showed on one picture on the wall with the snake or dragon and says do you understand? It was one of the food court with no English menu but we thought that we may somehow understand for order however it looked like we were not welcome. Does someone knows what that snake/ dragon means?
Written March 12, 2020
Any Yakitori shops happen to open during lunch? Understand most of them are open only in the evening...
Written October 6, 2018
Not sure
We went around 18h
Its a festive place, you wanna be there at night!
Written October 8, 2018
What time do the restaurants close? We will be arriving late on our first night and really want to visit this place.
Written September 28, 2018
We were there pretty late (definitely after 10) on a weekday and it showed no signs of slowing down. Im guessing it’s syillmgoing at midnight.
Written September 28, 2018

Penny Y
Melbourne, Australia
I paid cash on my visit, and most stalls and local shops I visited were cash.
Written April 10, 2018
Hi, what time is the yokocho open? Is it open at lunchtime?
Written February 18, 2018

Penny Y
Melbourne, Australia
There were definitely shops open at midday, including a local hot spot for ramen (even at lunch time, there was a queue). Night time is a different atmosphere and the aromas of all the food is amazing. Enjoy :)
Written April 8, 2018
Are there any vegetarian options at all here? Is it easy to browse around/shop without knowing Japanese?
Written January 13, 2018
I think a few of the places have vegetable skewers and side salads, but without any Japanese language skills it would be a bit difficult in my opinion.
It's so crowded and busy I wouldn't feel comfortable spending too much time trying to make myself understood. I think the staff at some of these places can get a bit irritated and impatient with foreigners. Just the feeling I got.
Written January 17, 2018
Is this an appropriate choice for meals with a child? Or is it more about drinking and bars? Was wondering if an ‘early’ dinner was a possibility here, or even lunch, but will be here with a 6yo? Thanks
Written October 11, 2017
Not suitable for a kid. Small eateries, small tables, smoking areas even inside the place. A few blocks down you will hit Shinjuku. There are more places to eat there that would be appropriate for children.
Written October 11, 2017
Tu2013
San Francisco, California
Hello MariieTips,
We will be visiting Tokyo very soon, can you tell us more how to find this wonderful small yakatori restaurant that you wrote about, and do you have a name for the restaurant ? your reply is very appreciative.
Written October 27, 2016

Honu_Ohana
Washington DC, District of Columbia
17,989 contributions
There is a whole row of these places. Hard to differentiate. They have prices and photo menus outside.
Written October 28, 2016
So, do the owners or cooks of these so called yakitori restaurant "booths" welcome you in and asks you to take a seat or you just casually walk up and sit yourself down? I'd like to know prior to visiting this place before I embarrass myself.
Written October 13, 2015
We stood outside a few stalls and waited to be welcomed in. Some places prefer locals and don't speak English so they won't welcome you in. The ones with an English menu will. Just stand outside and see if they ignore you or ask u in :)
Written October 13, 2015
Will most of the stalls still be open during Golden Week 2015?
Written April 7, 2015
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