Club Asia
Club Asia occupies a multi-floor building in central Kabukicho, drawing a mix of Japanese clubgoers and the occasional adventurous tourist. The ground floor runs a hip-hop and R&B rotation, while the upper floor focuses on house and techno. Capacity sits around 800, making it one of the larger club spaces in the district. The sound system is solid without being ear-splitting, and the lighting rig gets a proper workout on weekend nights. Drinks are served from bars on each floor, and there's a small smoking terrace on the second level. The crowd tends younger, mostly in their twenties, and the energy picks up noticeably after midnight. Friday and Saturday are the big nights; weekdays can feel empty by comparison. The entrance is on a side street off the main Kabukicho strip, marked by a modest sign that's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.
Where to stay near Club Asia
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A dark, bass-heavy space split across two floors with different music on each. The crowd is mostly Japanese university students and young professionals letting off steam. Expect to be shoulder-to-shoulder on the dance floor by 1 AM on Saturdays.
Dark, loud, and packed on weekends. Relaxed and spacious on weeknights.
Hip-hop and R&B on the ground floor, house and techno upstairs
Casual. Sneakers and jeans are the norm. No suits, no formal wear.
Clubbers who want a local Japanese nightclub experience away from the tourist circuit
Cash strongly preferred. Some card readers available but often out of service.
Price Range
Cover 2,500-3,500 JPY (includes 1 drink), beer 800 JPY, cocktails 1,000-1,200 JPY
Cover ~$17-23/~15-20 EUR, beer ~$5/~4.50 EUR
Hours
22:00-05:00, Fri-Sat until 06:00
Insider Tip
The hip-hop floor fills up first, so head upstairs to the techno room if you want space early in the night. Bring cash; the card reader at the door is unreliable. Arrive before midnight to avoid the weekend queue.
Full Review
Club Asia sits on one of Kabukicho's side streets, tucked between a karaoke chain and a ramen shop. The entrance is a narrow staircase leading down to a basement-level lobby where you pay the cover and get a drink ticket. First impressions are decent: the space is clean, the staff are efficient, and the coat check actually works.
The ground floor is the main room, a rectangular space with the DJ booth elevated against the far wall and the bar running along the left side. On a Saturday night this room fills with a young crowd, mostly groups of friends rather than couples. The music here is commercial hip-hop and R&B, the kind of playlist that gets people moving without alienating anyone. The sound is good, punchy bass without the distortion that plagues some Tokyo clubs.
Upstairs is a different story. The techno room is smaller, darker, and attracts a slightly older crowd who came specifically for the music. The DJ lineup here rotates, and on a good night you'll hear sets that rival what's playing at more famous Tokyo clubs. The drinks are the same price on both floors.
The smoking terrace between floors is a social hub. Half the conversations and connections of the night happen here, away from the volume of the main rooms. It's also where you'll find the best chance of meeting someone who speaks English, since the international visitors who do make it here tend to congregate in the quieter spaces.
The Neighborhood
Club Asia sits in the middle of Kabukicho's entertainment grid, surrounded by karaoke buildings, hostess clubs, and late-night ramen shops. After closing time, the nearby 24-hour restaurants on Kabukicho's main street fill up with clubgoers.
Getting There
JR Shinjuku Station East Exit, then a 7-minute walk northeast into Kabukicho. The club is on a side street off the main Kabukicho drag, one block north of the Toho Cinema building.
Other Venues in Kabukicho
WARP SHINJUKU
Large multi-floor club in central Kabukicho with EDM and hip-hop floors. Popular with younger Japanese clubgoers. Cover 2,000-3,000 JPY with one drink included.
Robot Restaurant
Kabukicho's signature tourist attraction with neon-lit robot shows, dancers, and music. Not a traditional club but a theatrical experience. Tickets from 6,500 JPY.
Golden Gai
Block of over 200 tiny bars, each seating 5-10 people. Some welcome foreigners, others don't. Cover charges (500-1,500 JPY) are standard. Drinks from 700 JPY.
Albatross
Three-story Golden Gai bar with a chandelier and antique decor. One of the more foreigner-friendly spots. Standing room only on weekends.
Samurai
Foreigner-friendly bar on the edge of Golden Gai with a relaxed owner who speaks English. Whisky selection and casual conversation. No cover charge.
Kitsune
Upscale cocktail lounge on Kabukicho's main drag with dim lighting and velvet seating. Cocktails start at 1,200 JPY and the crowd skews late-twenties professionals.