6 Funny and Fashionable Pubs in Shibuya - Table Tennis, Model Trains and Monsters!
Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando are fashionable suburbs that are popular among young people. There are a lot of superb shops and restaurants in the area. Great fun for visitors in Tokyo! Here is a sneak peek of 6 unique izakaya in Shibuya that are well worth a visit.
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1. Takkyu Sakaba Ponzo Shibuya Branch (Shibuya)
Takkyu Sakaba Ponzo is an izakaya pub with a table tennis table in the restaurant. It is a popular place, especially for young people. They also have darts in addition to table tennis. It is perfect for those who want to have fun with friends while having a few drinks.
There is an extensive food and drink menu. For example, the menu contains six kinds of pizza, lots of sweet sake, strong sake, and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s also family friendly.
There is a large screen hooked up to a Super Nintendo console, with games such as Mario Kart, Street Fighter, and other nostalgic games available to play. Great fun for a group of people!
About Takkyu Sakaba Ponzo Shibuya Branch
Opening Hours: (Mondays - Thursdays) 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
(Fridays - Sundays, Day Before Public Holiday) 11:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Closed: Open all year
Accepted Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB
Access: 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station, accessible via various JR, Private Rail and Subway Lines
Address: Emerald Bldg. 6F, 12-7 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
HP: ponzo.jp/ (Japanese Only)
2. Shibuya Dagashi Bar (Shibuya)
The Shibuya Dagashi Bar has a mysterious atmosphere with corrugated iron, concrete blocks, and old televisions adorning the walls. The shop has a Japanese old town feel.
Traditional children’s sweets are available starting from just 10 yen. Accompanying any meal order is an all-you-can eat selection of over 100 different kinds of small sweets. Children and grown ups alike can enjoy the sweets.
Depending on the ordered meal, there is also the option to make takoyaki for yourself. Apart from all the snacks is a selection of salads and cheeses, in addition to a variety of alcoholic beverages.
About Shibuya Dagashi Bar
Opening Hours: (Mondays - Fridays) 4:00 PM - 11:30 PM
(Weekends, Public Holidays) 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Closed: Open daily unless otherwise specified
*Closed New Year Holidays (Dec 31 - Jan 3)
Accepted Credit Cards: Credit cards not accepted
Access: 2-minute walk from Shibuya Station, accessible via various JR, Private Rail and Subway Lines
Address: 26-5 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
HP: dagashi-bar.com/ (Japanese Only)
3. Bar Ginza Panorama Shibuya Branch (Shibuya)
Bar Ginza Panorama Shibuya Branch is a bar where you can enjoy a few drinks while watching a running model railroad. Various trains such as the shinkansen and the JR Yamanote line train are running around the 12 seats of the cozy bar.
Unlike simple toy trains for children, these are sophisticated and delicate models that can even be considered artistic. While the Bar Ginza Panorama bar chain is well-known for their train-themed cocktails, the focus of the Shibuya branch store is on cocktails that represent the train lines that pass through Shibuya Station. Even their coasters are train name plates! It is a great spot to visit, even if you are not a railroad fan.
About Bar Ginza Panorama Shibuya Branch
Opening Hours: 6:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Closed: Sundays, Public Holidays, and New Year Holidays
Accepted Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB
Access: 2-minute walk from Shibuya Station, accessible via various JR, Private Rail and Subway Lines
Address: Nono Bldg. 3F, 1-17-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
HP: panoramashibuya.com/ (Japanese)
4.Kawaii Monster Cafe (Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku>)
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Photo by Roxanne Ready on FlickrThe Kawaii Monster Cafe is a popular cafe in the uniquely fashionable town of Harajuku. There is a colorful, theme park-like interior. Customers will be welcomed by Harajuku's strange fashion monster girls.
Matching the colorful menu are the equally colorful rainbow pastas and cakes, which have strong, flashy colors that are not usually seen in Japanese food. While the colorful menu is the most fun and highly recommended, they also have a regular menu.
The cafe becomes like a disco at dinner time and a show is held every Thursday that excites both the staff and customers alike!
About Kawaii Monster Cafe
Opening Hours: (Mondays - Saturdays, Day Before Public Holiday) 11:30 AM - 4:40 PM (last orders 4:00 PM), 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM (last orders 10:00 PM)
(Sundays, Public Holidays) 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (last orders 7:30 PM)
Closed: Open all year
Fee: 500 yen
*With the exception of Thursdays (8:00 PM - 12:00 AM): 2,000 yen
Accepted Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB
Access: 1 minute walk from Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku> Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line
Address: YM Square Bldg. 4F, 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
5. Omotesando Harold＆Co (Omotesando)
Is that a picture on the table? Actually, this is a dessert! Harold & Co has a performance called F.O.Y.T, where the chef builds a dessert on the customer's table. The F.O.Y.T is only offered with some course meals, so it’s best to make a reservation.
There are three private rooms, such as the luxurious red-colored room and the karaoke room. These have a calm atmosphere and are recommended for couples.
There are lots of entertainment-oriented dishes, including drinks with shining ice and risotto cooked with fire in front of you. Photogenic food that is great to show your friends!
About Omotesando Harold＆Co
Opening Hours: (Mondays - Fridays) 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
(Weekends, Public Holidays) 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Closed: Open all year
Accepted Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Uc
Access: 1 minute walk from Omotesando Station on various Tokyo Metro Lines
Address: Aoyama Daihan Bldg. B1F, 3-6-23 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
HP: www.facebook.com/Harold.Co2013 (Japanese Only)
6. Den Aquaroom Aoyama (Omotesando)
Den Aquaroom Aoyama is a romantic restaurant with a large aquarium in the store. You can spend quality time and relax while watching the colorful tropical fish.
There are various kinds of drinks, such as beer, wine, gin and tonic, etc. They also have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. A tropical cocktail might be just the thing to give you a relaxed, tropical feeling.
The focus is on French style, beautiful plating, and delicious dishes. A great place to relax without worrying about time.
About Den Aquaroom Aoyama
Opening Hours: (Mondays - Fridays) 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM
(Saturdays) 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
(Sundays, Public Holidays) 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Closed: Open all year
Accepted Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Uc
Access: 5-minute walk from Omotesando Station on various Tokyo Metro Lines
Address: KDX Minami Aoyama Bldg. B1F, 5-13-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
HP: aqua-aoyama.com/ (Japanese Only)
These are some of the unique izakaya in Shibuya. Depending on the izakaya, the atmosphere changes, from casual to lively to other types. You can choose an izakaya based on your preferences and who you're travelling with. Visiting a unique pub in Shibuya is certainly a great way to make your Japan trip memorable!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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