Golden Gai or Golden Town, in Shinjuku, is a small alley area, composed of 6 small lanes, where there are many small pubs, bars and small diners which often sell simple BBQ food, soup noodle, etc., in addition to liquor and wine. In addition to eating and drinking, the area is also one of Japanese folk-art and other performing arts' birthplaces and later becomes a living center for many young performers and artists to manage their pub business and, at the same time, waiting for the acting, performing art opportunities.
Many small pubs do have their own unique decorations inside and outside the stores, including posters, and it is worthy for tourists to take a walk of the area. If tourists want to take photos, then, day-time walk is recommended because not many customers in the area, and photo taking may be easier.
Many bars or pubs in Golden Kai section have history of 40 years or longer, and a few of them do not accept foreign customers or tourists as their customers; generally, these bars or pubs prefer their frequent customers.
But a few pubs do open for all customers, including foreign tourists, such as Kenzo’s Bar [Bar owner is a playwriter and an actor, and he is very friendly and bar plays 1980s music], Bar Darling [perhaps because it is owned by a female actress, staffs are all female; the bar welcomes female customers, even single female], Ace’s [it does not impose cover charge and staffs can communicate English and welcome foreign tourists, and these bars do have reasonable pricing for drink and food.
Most of the bars in Golden Kai do impose entrance fee, seating fee or cover charge per person, which is in the range of 500 Yen to $1,000 Yen per person, although there are few bars which do not have entrance fee pr cover charge. Most of the bars open from later afternoon or early night, such as 08PM, although a few of the bars do open 24/7 daily.
Although there are many bars in Golden Kai, the area does not allow public drinking or smoking in public section, and it is strictly enforced for the no smoking or drinking in public street rules. However, most of the bars do allow smoking inside their bars.
1st time foreign visitors or tourists, can take Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line [M Line] and get off at M-09 Shinjuku Sanchome Station and then walk to Exit 2, and the Golden Gai is in very short walking distance.
