Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!

If you're planning for a little less sightseeing in Japan and a little more 'painting the town red,' this one's for you!

Let's get into it!

#1: It won't end where it starts.

The best Tokyo nights have a way of slipping out of your control.

You go out for dinner and drinks with a few friends. Then, suddenly you are shoulder-to-shoulder in a standing bar doing shots with an enthusiastic local. Soon, you're following someone into a second spot you never would have found alone, singing karaoke in a snack bar. Until finally you're sitting over ramen at 2:57am because the group collectively decided to forego the last train. That is just one way it plays out, and that's part of the city's charm!

If that sounds like a song you want to sing, don't miss:

👉 Top 16 Unique Bars in Tokyo

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#2: Looking for love? Then look for a love hotel, too.

Let’s say the night went well. Or, better than well, actually.

You met someone over drinks, and ended up talking longer than either of you expected. You're both avoiding checking when that last train is (the one you're hoping neither of you plans to try and catch).

For a lot of people, taking someone home isn't a realistic option. Many live far from the city centers. Apartments are small, privacy is limited, and living with family isn't unusual.

That's where love hotels come in. These are short-stay hotels designed for privacy, which is why they have remained such a practical part of dating in Japan. They offer an easy next step when the night is clearly not over yet.

(Pro tip: They fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights)

👉 10 Fascinating Love Hotels in Japan and Why You Should Visit One

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#3: There's more to do at night than just drink.

It is easy to assume that a night out in Tokyo has to mean bars, clubs, or squeezing into an izakaya until the trains stop running.

But the city has plenty to offer after dark even if drinking is not the plan.

One night might mean skyline views from an observatory, another might take you across Rainbow Bridge on foot, and another could end with karaoke, bowling, or batting cages instead. Tokyo does alcohol well, of course - but it also gives you plenty to do when you want the night without the hangover.

👉 The Best Things to Do in Tokyo at Night

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Side note: If you're serious about visiting or living in Japan, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to make the most of your time here!

For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our blog here.

Your Friends,

The Japan Switch Team