*Would YOU do Shinjuku ALONE? (Especially solo females). --- Let us know below!!* HUGE Thanks to @sherryberryjp for requesting the vid, and Magical Trip for helping us provide a Safety Team!! Magical Trip Gave Us a COUPON!! TOKYOLENS1024 (5 USD worth coupon) MagicalTrip: bit.ly/MagicalTripHome Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku bit.ly/BarHoppingShinjukuMT
Thanks for bugging me to do it!! Super glad you enjoyed it that much and that we were able to get a whole support team!! Who knows…. Might need to try it again somewhere else lol
I was nervous and scared for you just watching. I'm glad you had Norm and others around you to keep you safe. This is important info for single travelers.
Yeah those guys are touts for the girls clubs nearby, touting of course being illegal there. Normally they target men, and a woman walking alone through that area is a bit of a red flag. Most of them likely thought it was a police sting operation they narrowly avoided.
Those guys may have manners but, they are aggressive / pushy, when they want you to commit /buy their services. I’m a guy, I’ve been in Kabukicho alone, and being harassed is annoying. To a lonely woman, it could potentially be dangerous. If business owners want more foreigner business. Get those guys out of there, you’re only gonna detour business letting them hang around.
@@ATOMIK_DUNKZ no Japanese, men or women would stop and talk or even acknowledge Nigerian touts. They sell drugs and sell rip off electronics and have affiliation with yakuza. That’s why they don’t allow you to film
She also is alert and has her guard up. Wonder if it would be different if she had drinks first, or if she was emotional/sad/crying. Predators like easy targets and openings.
Wow! Thank you, Norm. This was an eye-opener. I travel alone, so this is valuable info for a single woman. Watching your "walking around at night" videos, I thought Japan was mostly safe, but I was shocked by the guys chasing girls down. That's scary.
it is mostly safe, you just need to use common sense, and if you feel really uncomfortable there is a police always nearby in such hot spots, just make it clear that you will not hesitate to call for help and those people leave you alone
I saw 'scouting' happen in that exact last spot too. They seem to ask a few times, give them a firm no and keep walking like you're unbothered. Easier said than done but do your best. I know you may be tight on time and want to see what you can but if you are approached, just get yourself into the station and just find the information booths with the guys in there, they know enough English to know what is going on and may deter anyone away from you.
Having lived in Tokyo for four years, I’ve never done the Shinjuku solo walk at night and you and Sherry showed a lot about it..it was very interesting and I have the same comment as Sherry in the end! Thank you for getting out a cold dangerous night and created this vid!😆
I LOVE JAPAN🇯🇵! Fortunately for me, I’m an Early Bird! I wake up nice and early to go for my long daily walks, and once the sun sets - it’s Bed Time 🛌 for me! 👌 Stay Safe Everyone! 💙 ✌️🇬🇧🇳🇱
I'm getting a bit too old to stay out very late but this is great information for any solo female traveler who just wants to check out the nightlife or go out for a drink! And thanks to Sherry for braving some of these areas!!
Ah, a subject close to my heart as a solo female traveller. Personally, I've never felt unsafe in Tokyo, although I do take sensible precautions like avoiding dimly lit alleys etc. That said, I do tend to avoid Shinjuku in general because it's really not my scene lol. But I do wonder if a lone Japanese woman might get treated differently to a foreign woman?
@@TokyoLens As a local I think situation will be different but it will be depend on where she is. Center of Shinjuku (Kabuki Cho) and Shinjuku gyoen is near but it will be different, and that location effect will be differently effect if she is Japanese or foreigner.
@@TokyoLens I go out in that area a lot because of its convenience and I've never been harrassed (and I am always alone walking to/from my destination). People have once or twice tried to get me to come into a bar but it wasn't heavy pressure, it was similar to the touts in this video. I did get nampa'd before in Shibuya but it's rare. Basically, if you don't look like you speak Japanese, Japanese people most likely won't try to talk to you. If you do, it's probably a completely different vibe.
I’ve witnessed “scouting” as you called it in Kyoto. A young adult woman coming from train chased down by guy. She did similar maneuver to slip through crowd and she was telling him to go away. She seemed capable and confident so I didn’t do anything but part of me wishes my friend and I had ganged up on him and yelled till she got away. I’d never seen anything quite like it before.
Magical Trip was wonderful! We did the same Fushimi Inari (private) tour last November. Our guide, Naru, was super knowledgable and took some really great pictures for us too. We had a wonderful time. It was definitely a highlight of our month long trip.
I've seen that show she's talking about! It really is like that show where they let kids go out on their own, but instead of a kid it's Sherry! Only a few minutes in and it's really interesting to see this perspective on cities in Tokyo
I love the fact that Norm brought a whole crew for this, shows that they were completely ready to stance up if anyone had actually tried to pull something on Sherry. Especially by the way they actually did have to intervene with that other dude chasing that girl.
Oh wow! The first half of the video wasn't too surprising to see, given the establishments in those areas. But that last bit at the station was a bit shocking, it's done so blatantly too. I'm glad you thought this through and had a crew following Sherry at all times!
I think this is such an important video! Specially because from the people watching you here Norm, they get your pov, but you are male, speak Japanese and could probably intimidate a lot of these guys. This video had a very specific goal and I’m here for it!
Never felt unsafe kicking about myself at night but with the caveats that my hotel was out east in Kinshichō and I'm a bald Scotsman so unlikely to be the target of creeps. I daresay it'd be far different as a lone female. Happy New Year, Norm and Sherry!
I very much appreciate videos like this. I'm planning my dream Japan trip and will be single female traveler and knowing where i can be safe vs where to avoid is helping me plan where to go and what to do.
Butting in here, but I hope you have a great trip! If you wanted to do some of the sketchier areas I would definitely do it with family / a good friend / possibly a professional guide. I had my cousin walk me through Kabukicho and Golden Gai on my first time there, and it was madness (but I'm a sort of "bright lights, city mouse" kind of person). I will pass on the advice he gave me going through there... "Don't worry about being polite here. Accept nothing, no drinks, no offers, no invitations to go anywhere. If someone wants you to do it, don't."
Thanks Sherry, Norm and crew for making this video, it explains quite well the unpredictable "human element" of just about anywhere in the world we choose to go, when it only takes one person, or even a small group of people, for things to head in the wrong direction. Japan has an amazing reputation worldwide for saftey, but nowhere is 100% safe. I guess it shows whenever we enter an area that relies on highly sociable activities like bars and restaurants with locals and tourists.
Great video idea Norm. Really good to have a better understanding of this subculture as i was just observing it myself in Nov. I guess i'm lucky i can travel there myself without getting harassed. Feels bad when i saw so many girls getting harassed there. Big props to Sherry for braving this, well done.
I was shocked at the amount of aggressive african scammers in the Kabukicho area when I visited about a month ago, nowhere else in Japan had I experienced that. It honestly ruined my otherwise great evening and I was about ready blow up and tell them to screw themselves. I wanted to check out one of the bars in the Golden Gai, but by then I wasn't really in the mood for it anymore, unfortunately. Still, can't wait to visit Japan next time when my 日本語 improves and likely delve into the less touristy cities, like Hiroshima, Nagoya or perhaps Aomori.
Thanks Norm. Reminds me of my last trip to Japan over a decade ago now. All night in Roppongi, was a fun night. First guy seems like he was trying his Nampa(pick up game). Japan is generally safe for Foreigners, safer then a lot of other places people go to on Vacation elsewhere in the world, but low crime against foreigners, doesn't mean no crime. Tips for Solo Travelers if going to Shinjuku/Tokyo at large at night that I read and heard before going to Japan. 1. If a "tut" aka greeters on the street try to get you to go into a specific bar, decline them, politely if possible. 2. Know the drink prices before ordering, if they don't say and its not on the menu assume it is very expensive. A attractive female sits besides you and wants you to buy her drinks, it can be very expensive. 3. If you do not like something that is happening, be loud and say NO, they do not want attention, especially do this if you are a female. 4. Buddy up with other travelers from you hotel/guesthouse if you can. Otherwise, Stay safe, and have fun.
This was such a cool video!! I traveled to Tokyo back in 2017 with my mom, and honestly Shinjuku was the only place both me and her hated lmaoo it was super crowded, super loud everywhere, the streets were way more dirty than anywhere else, some places even smelled a bit, and the guys that hang around there even in the afternoon are sort of scary/uncomfortable to be around... i see some things haven't changed since then lol being a woman traveling solo or with a small women-only group is quite challenging pretty much anywhere in the world, unfortunately (especially at night)
The way I explain it these days is that even the safest major cities have it's dodgy places you should avoid, especially alone at night. Haha, but last time I went to Shinjuku for two nights out, I knew none of this and feel lucky to escape unscathed. The most dangerous point was when I was approached by one of the notorious Africans who started probing in English for what I was looking for before attempting to persuade me to follow him through a mildly decorated door in a non commercial dank alley to meet some ladies. Apparently it's a well known scam that if you follow them, they will drug you and make a huge bill on your credit card and if you don't comply, probably beat you up. Scams like this are such a shame because Shinjuku really is a truly spectacular place with a bustling night life. My advice is to plan well before going there, know which streets to avoid and only visit places that have an established reputation.
Shinjuku entertainment areas 😬 even when I'm with other people it's too crowded, too noisy, very uncomfortable. I try to avoid going anywhere near it. On the other hand, I liked the feel of the area around the government building and loved the free view of Tokyo in all directions from the observation floor. Have a great week, Norm 💜✌️🐦
I've seen groups of young school children alone in the train station in Tokyo and felt very safe as a solo female traveler in Japan for work. I went down to Yokosuka and had no trouble, even in the Honch, but I didn't go out late at night. I was warned not to enter Roppongi alone. I did not have a chance to check it out for myself, so I've always been curious about Roppongi. I felt absolutely safe in many areas of Japan but I also made sure to maintain situational awareness. My heart is in Japan ❤
I worked for a travel and tourism company and it was astounding to me that at the time, 70% of all solo travellers were women (2017). There are no words to express how disheartening it is to hear of stories of solo female travellers having their trips and adventures ruined by not feeling safe.
AH! I was waiting for this one. Happy ans blessed new year, Like the no BS no filters POV & style of TL. way to go. I look forward to see the renovations and the experience and that great view ! I feel like that level of NANPA culture is too intense, weirdo mentality behavior, making asking out ladies challenging and most of the time imposible since,as we saw, they have to be on the defensive 24/7 if they are not in the relax/party/dating mode/mentality.. great one to start the yr
5'6" about 120lbs American male... and I stayed in Kabukicho on my trip there. There were times that I was approached that I felt were concerning, but probably not nearly the type of approach a woman would receive. I got out of my sketchy encounters just fine, and one guy who tried to drag me into his bar that took me threatening him to let go of my arm was kinda like my buddy by the end of the trip being I passed by him almost everyday for 2 weeks. We would fist bump, and he did much better at keeping his distance from me as I him. The one encounter where a woman begged to give me a massage after coming out of a limo with four men in suits with shades... I was nice and quickly talked and backed my way out politely. That was a weird one as well.
I avoid Kabukicho during the day. It’s the only place I’ve felt creeped out in Tokyo. No one ever really bothers me though, but I don’t think I give off “friendly” vibes when I’m alone 😂
@Sperbs it's funny because when my brother and I were in Shinjuku we were just wandering around (during daylight mind you)& then I noticed the streets just getting empty and the signage getting, um, weird. And I told him, "Oh I know where we are...Kabukicho. Let's go back!" But happy that was just during the daytime and not at night, and not solo!
just started watching your videos last night, Wont lie , watching them makes me want to go to tokyo some day. thank you for showing and giving information. from Pennsylvania
I traveled solo and stayed in NishiShinjuku but often wandered around Kabukicho late at night, and I felt 100% safe-safer than in my own country. I think it depends on how you carry yourself. But also, if they see you aren't local or Asian, most men don't even approach you because most of them don't speak other languages.
Many years ago, a friend and I (both female) booked an AirBnB in Shinjuku. However, you would definitely need to walk past/through Kabukicho to get to it (we didn't know that when booking the place). We didn't feel too unsafe, but there definitely were many scouts around. We avoided eye contact with them, and even if they did try to engage in conversation with us, we showed disinterest and that we didn't know japanese. Generally, it was okay but I would not want to stay there again.
Interesting video! I was actually in Tokyo just about a month ago as a solo female traveller and visited Shinjuku. I visited Kabukicho for a couple hours in the late afternoon to early evening, and while it didn’t feel unsafe at that time, it was definitely the sketchiest area I saw in Tokyo. Worth a visit, but I wouldn’t want to go there at night by myself.
I stayed in Shinjuku during my first trip to Japan by myself. Obviously a very different experience as a solo foreign male traveler but even i could tell it just wasn't a place for me late at night. It's tough because staying near Shinjuku station is SUPER convenient, but the vibes are just not my scene.
Travelled to Tokyo just Dec last year w/my girlfriend who’s a first timer; and when I toured her in Shinjuku, Kabukicho specifically, I already informed her beforehand of what the vibe is. -After checking the streets for few minutes, she decided to check other spots/cities instead. Well, at least she enjoyed the cat from the big LCD right outside the station😅
even as a solo white nerdy dude walking around kabukicho i couldnt make it 2 minutes without something following me and asking if i wanted cheap drinks with euh.. extras. it seems like golden gai has like a barrier around it that keeps em out
The sad part about this is actually what I see in every big city around the world, and especially here in the States. You see a woman running to get away from someone, and no one (except you guys who were actively looking for it) stopped to help. As a man, it breaks my heart to see, but it also puts me in a horrible spot because now I will almost always come across as a creep if I were to legitimately ask someone if they were lost and needed help. As a society, the sense of community just seems gone, and it's sad that it seems so widespread.
While these things are usual in Shinjuku, I've still felt relatively safe even if people walk up to me to talk or visit their business compare to other big cities. They accept no and don't physically try to harass you, in my and my friend's case. I remember one foreigner trying to get me to visit their bar, when I wanted to visit a place that was right below it instead on a friend's invitation. The guy accompanied me to the underground club, bought me a drink and told me the whole story about the owner and the fun facts related to his friendship with them. Then he excused himself that he had to get back to his own bar and came to check up on me later how I was doing. As I was alone since my friend was working, and I'd heard horror stories of what could happen, I didn't dare to visit his bar. But the guy didn't pester me, was genuinely very nice, and conventional throughout the entire night. One of the safest places I've felt as a woman in metropolitan cities. The only thing I'm torn about Shinjuku is the humongous rats, feeding on street trash...
Have to admit I avoid kabukichou and golden gai, I just don't need that sort of hassle . If I'm out in Shinjuku it's normally south of the main road by Donki but north of the main road that passes the station south mezzanine entrance and runs down towards the national garden. Still east of the station but a lot more civilised. This area is the main shopping area and also has a lot of night life stuff there and tends to seem to be a lot safer than north of that main road. In the past I've stayed in hotels in west Shinjuku and it's very quiet, as shown, once you get out into the hotels near the government building but it's more lively in the entertainment area just west of the station. The same as just east of the station but not as bad as kabukichou etc
Great video Norm. I stayed near the Tokyo metropolitan government building in Nov. Walked around as a solo female and felt safe. I went to Kabikucho and was not comfortable. It was also dense with tourist unlike my previous visits.
I lived in Japan in 1991 so knew what to expect in Shinjuku/Kabuchiko. I was in Shinjuku with my husband in September October 2024 and he was just taken with the lights etc. It was shocking to see families walking around with kids completely oblivious. The extensive police presence was an obvious giveaway. This is a public service video for tourists.
I’ve stayed in Shinjuku, a couple of of streets away from kabukicho in fact, and I didn’t feel unsafe when I was travelling alone. Mind you I also didn’t put myself out there to be hassled…I think if you walk with purpose they don’t hassle you. I’ve never felt unsafe in Tokyo, but obviously you do need to be cautious wherever you are.
Absolutely love Kabukicho!!! Its not just the women who get approached but as long as your street smart like anywhere else in the world with lots of bars, you be fine. Sector 7 is a great bar
Quite an eye opening video given how Tokyo is generally pretty safe. I’ll be going back to Japan in 2 weeks, this time with my Mum ☺️ we’ll be having a couple beers now and again and I won’t be overly concerned if we’re in Kabukicho, but I’ll be on my guard just in case 😆
That show she mentioned is really cute, but also super surreal from an American perspective. Also wow! Not even 1 minute and a guy swoops in and is immediately sketchy
I usually prefer just traveling alone when I'm in Japan. So when I'm in Tokyo going to Shibuya and Shinjuku, I'm used to it. I'm definitely not the girly type and usually wear baggy stuff, so I don't really attract attention, haha.. Though I will never drink or enter any bars alone there! Once, I encountered in Shibuya there were these noisy, maybe late teens or early 20s noisy guys on the streets running past strangers. They shout random things at you, as they pass you by. It's just so rude and annoying. I instantly had that intrusive thought to replay the moment and just trip the guy and have him fall face flat on the pavement. But yeah, for most ladies, being alone in Shinjuku, especially at night... I wouldn't recommend it.
Japan still seems one of the safest countries for a woman to be alone at night. In Australia, I hate walking to my car alone at night after going out for tea with friends. (And I live in a town, not a city) there are areas to avoid in every town and city, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid those areas..
It's funny/interesting seeing Sherry have the same reaction I had with the (I think) Nigerian guys, haha. As a tall white dude, while walking around to kill time before going to the Robot Cafe, I got offered a lot of "you want sex?" by people in front of shops. I was kind of surprised that the Nigerian dudes were the nicest. They were a bit assertive on their first request but backed off easily and were nice about it once I brushed them off or said no, vs others pestering/blocking me a few times until I walked too far away. In one case, I had brushed one Nigerian guy off and saying, "I'm just going to Robot Cafe". As I walked away and turned left, he yelled to me that I needed to turn right. 😄 I definitely had the same "wow, he was nice!" reaction.
Sherry got the full vip treatment with her own secret service. Still, Shinjuku looks like it is a lot safer at night then a lot of cities around the world. Even some parts of Toronto these days.
Just avoid Shibuya/Shinjuku and Tokyo will be extremely safe, and honestly even the advances you get in places like Shibuya is really nothing compared to what my (then) girlfriend told me she used to get in the USA and France. Japan is still the only place I lived in so far where I do not feel worried having my wife walk alone at night.
Is it safe for female travelers? You start with Godzilla in the background lol. It felt safe, even my daughter said she felt safe going out by herself at night. But there is that old adage, if you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you.
Thanks for this video, very useful guide on where not to go at night! As a woman, the most creepy thing was definitely the guys chasing people by the station. Is that only a problem in shinjuku, or with last trains in general everywhere? Thankfully on my trip in Nov I won't be alone but I still worry about being targeted by creeps...definitely going to bring a whistle and stay away from some areas.
As a woman living in Tokyo, I can confirm that it’s not safer than anywhere else to walk alone at night in Japan as a woman. While I’m the type to avoid dangerous situations (and can usually spot them early), I’ve still had my share of unsettling experiences… Sadly, I also know many other women who’ve faced similar situations. Japan is indeed safer than many countries in general, but it’s far from being completely safe for women. Thank you for shedding light on this important topic 🙏
This was super informative, I knew of those who try to get you into seedy bars with the promise of free or cheap drinks and to avoid that, but the fact they'll just come straight up to you and even CHASE you... nah that's scary lmao.. I'd love to go there but I'd definitely go with other people, and as a foreign girl, I'd feel more scared alone and like I'm an easy target due to the language barrier. But, I guess it's no different to England in that sense, I'd never go out alone in England for drinks, so I'd stick to the same rule in Japan too 😊 thanks Norm and Sherry!
I went to Tokyo for the first time from NYC to visit my girlfriend and i had her take me around Kabukicho, she had never been either because she never felt safe alone or even with a group of her girlfriends there. I would say Kabukicho lives up to its reputation, its everything you don't expect Tokyo to be. We were wandering and we wandered near the infamous Okubo park and jeez do you just feel sad about whats going on there. But as a guy i felt perfectly safe, i would describe Kabukicho as Tokyo's own little freezone where Japans strict tight respectful culture is unwound and people let loose. Totally different world.
Back in 2008 I went to Japan completely on my own for a month. I had a guide book that suggested a cool live house in Shinjuku. I suck at reading maps, so I wandered around Shinjuku and what turned out to be Kabukicho for a few hours until I miraculously found the place. No one ever stopped me on the street the whole time. After the show, another foreigner that spoke English I met during the live walked me back to the station - he said it was for his protection too so he could avoid women trying to solicit him, lol. Then back in 2015 a group of us went to Japan. On the way back to the hotel from the Robot Show, we kind of strayed from the group, so my husband and I got to see our single male friend get approached by a man saying he could get him whatever he wants - women, drugs, etc. Our friend is super confident so he had no trouble turning it down, but it was interesting to see! I think I’m old enough now to avoid most of the men who would be after pretty young girls, so I’m fine with walking around Kabukicho and Shinjuku at night personally. And while I did not ever experience anything bad myself, I’d say go with at least one other person if you can, so that way you have more fun and feel safer!
Me and my mom walked around kabukicho when it was dark but not too late. No one bothered us and i didnt feel unsafe. We both dont drink alcohol so we'd never go in anywhere. If im going there i just want to do some photography
I've walked these streets many many hours. I've had to fight countless people. I've met many odd people along the way. There was this one guy who kept following me everywhere. He had an eyepatch.
Great video! As usual. I come to Tokyo like every few months (from Beijing it’s cheap haha) Now I officially moved in Tokyo, one month ago And I still hate Kabukicho so much😅😅😅
I've only been to Shinjuku once, and it was mostly during the day. We ate at a themed café and went to a pop concert in some obscure locale, and we pretty much just walked to the station when it was getting dark. But I don't doubt that it's seedy at night, there's a lot of... stuff. Shinjuku Park was nice for a day visit though.
We stayed regularly in a hotel in Shinjuku, over the years it got more and more crowded, so I guess next time we pick another place. I never had trouble getting to the station and Golden Gai (a friend works there). I recommend bar Cambiare. I avoid kabukicho since I have nothing to do there. I did notice that my Japanese friends who waited at the bar for me kept asking me if I was ok to walk alone there 😅
I always stay at the Hilton in Shinjuku west. Love that area so much. Its fun seeing all the crazy on the east side then coming back to the quiet side.
Not surprising at all that Sherry's walk through Shinjuku is a lot different than the times I've walked around. I feel safe, as long as I don't follow or speak to the those touts in the area. Nobody ever walked up to me and asked me if I was lost. I think the difference is guys are approached and offered let's just say services you wouldn't want to tell your mom about. The funnest thing that happened to me around Kabukicho was a walked by hostess club and this older lady was trying to get me to go in and i waved her off and I said, 'いええ、いええ’ and she got so mad me. She followed me for a little bit berating me.
Its so interesting the different perspective. My wife (39F) and I (44M) always stay in Shinjuku when we stay in Tokyo for its central location and always on atmosphere. We have visited Golden Gai many times and loved it, hate the overpriced cover charges, but still a fun experience. My point is the difference of an experience had by a single female versus a couple/group is night to day, amazing. Thank you for this great video Norm and Sherry, I now feel somewhat bad having maybe seen several women over our trips in situations like this and the innocent tourist we are not offer our assistance. Our eyes will be focused differently on our next visit.
We stayed in Shinjuku west in November for 2 nights and it was lovely, but didn't step foot on the other side the whole time, just didn't see the need, we had a couple of things over there we wanted to see, but they were always less of a priority than other things in Tokyo and we didn't like the vibe from that side. Probably wouldn't have even stayed in Shinjuku if we hadn't needed to catch the Romantic car to Hakone the next day.
Woaw, this was interesting to see to say the least: First of all, to see that this is literally the place that's been featured in almost every Yakuza game I played. More importantly however, it's been not so long since I've watched Death Note, in which the show had (what I thought to be) too many of these types of weird guys in it. And for the longest time, Yakuza games included, I had unironically-literally always thought those behaviors to be just stereotypical videogame-mechanic or fictional narrative aspects.
For me my opinion the city of tokyo are the expensive city. Because it's very modern. Even if you are walking alone everywhere. It's depends the foreigner to came here this city. As she feels safe... Express there feelings.. 👍👍
*Would YOU do Shinjuku ALONE? (Especially solo females). --- Let us know below!!*
HUGE Thanks to @sherryberryjp for requesting the vid, and Magical Trip for helping us provide a Safety Team!!
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Well I guess you know my answer to that 😂
@@TokyoLens yes, but not the areas you covered ...
I think you really need to do it again with a foreign woman.
Absolutely not. Lol Ive been and it was the only place in Tokyo that me and my husband felt unsafe. No way would I go alone.
@@GreatSageSunWukong maybe Sharla, since she speaks Japanese and understands what they might be saying
Thank you Norm for this unique experience lol I couldn’t have done this alone 😁
Thanks for bugging me to do it!!
Super glad you enjoyed it that much and that we were able to get a whole support team!!
Who knows…. Might need to try it again somewhere else lol
@ I am very appreciative towards the whole team who made this possible😆
I was nervous and scared for you just watching. I'm glad you had Norm and others around you to keep you safe. This is important info for single travelers.
@@sherryberryjp Thank you Sherry!
Thank you Sherry! Do you generally feel safe on the streets at night in other parts of Tokyo?
I think the aggressive guys were “nice” and stepped away because the knew she was filming. One of them even mentioned her camera.
Yeah those guys are touts for the girls clubs nearby, touting of course being illegal there. Normally they target men, and a woman walking alone through that area is a bit of a red flag. Most of them likely thought it was a police sting operation they narrowly avoided.
Yeh I thought I heard that too.
Those guys may have manners but, they are aggressive / pushy, when they want you to commit /buy their services. I’m a guy, I’ve been in Kabukicho alone, and being harassed is annoying. To a lonely woman, it could potentially be dangerous. If business owners want more foreigner business. Get those guys out of there, you’re only gonna detour business letting them hang around.
@@ATOMIK_DUNKZ no Japanese, men or women would stop and talk or even acknowledge Nigerian touts. They sell drugs and sell rip off electronics and have affiliation with yakuza. That’s why they don’t allow you to film
She also is alert and has her guard up.
Wonder if it would be different if she had drinks first, or if she was emotional/sad/crying.
Predators like easy targets and openings.
Wow! Thank you, Norm. This was an eye-opener. I travel alone, so this is valuable info for a single woman. Watching your "walking around at night" videos, I thought Japan was mostly safe, but I was shocked by the guys chasing girls down. That's scary.
it is mostly safe, you just need to use common sense, and if you feel really uncomfortable there is a police always nearby in such hot spots, just make it clear that you will not hesitate to call for help and those people leave you alone
I saw 'scouting' happen in that exact last spot too. They seem to ask a few times, give them a firm no and keep walking like you're unbothered. Easier said than done but do your best. I know you may be tight on time and want to see what you can but if you are approached, just get yourself into the station and just find the information booths with the guys in there, they know enough English to know what is going on and may deter anyone away from you.
Having lived in Tokyo for four years, I’ve never done the Shinjuku solo walk at night and you and Sherry showed a lot about it..it was very interesting and I have the same comment as Sherry in the end! Thank you for getting out a cold dangerous night and created this vid!😆
Better to stay safe!!
Got any good videos coming for this year?
I LOVE JAPAN🇯🇵!
Fortunately for me, I’m an Early Bird! I wake up nice and early to go for my long daily walks, and once the sun sets - it’s Bed Time 🛌 for me! 👌
Stay Safe Everyone! 💙
✌️🇬🇧🇳🇱
9 cops dragging someone back to pay their bill at a restaurant but not one patrolling for jerks hrassing women that is frustrating.
I'm getting a bit too old to stay out very late but this is great information for any solo female traveler who just wants to check out the nightlife or go out for a drink! And thanks to Sherry for braving some of these areas!!
Huge thanks to Sherry!!
Ah, a subject close to my heart as a solo female traveller. Personally, I've never felt unsafe in Tokyo, although I do take sensible precautions like avoiding dimly lit alleys etc. That said, I do tend to avoid Shinjuku in general because it's really not my scene lol. But I do wonder if a lone Japanese woman might get treated differently to a foreign woman?
Avoiding Shinjuku as a whole is generally a good idea
But yeah… that’s a good question 🤔
@@TokyoLens If I had the luxury of my own secret bodyguards watching, I would happily test that out when I'm back in Tokyo in a few weeks 🤣
@@TokyoLens As a local I think situation will be different but it will be depend on where she is. Center of Shinjuku (Kabuki Cho) and Shinjuku gyoen is near but it will be different, and that location effect will be differently effect if she is Japanese or foreigner.
@@TokyoLens I go out in that area a lot because of its convenience and I've never been harrassed (and I am always alone walking to/from my destination). People have once or twice tried to get me to come into a bar but it wasn't heavy pressure, it was similar to the touts in this video. I did get nampa'd before in Shibuya but it's rare. Basically, if you don't look like you speak Japanese, Japanese people most likely won't try to talk to you. If you do, it's probably a completely different vibe.
I’ve witnessed “scouting” as you called it in Kyoto. A young adult woman coming from train chased down by guy. She did similar maneuver to slip through crowd and she was telling him to go away. She seemed capable and confident so I didn’t do anything but part of me wishes my friend and I had ganged up on him and yelled till she got away. I’d never seen anything quite like it before.
Magical Trip was wonderful! We did the same Fushimi Inari (private) tour last November. Our guide, Naru, was super knowledgable and took some really great pictures for us too. We had a wonderful time. It was definitely a highlight of our month long trip.
I've seen that show she's talking about! It really is like that show where they let kids go out on their own, but instead of a kid it's Sherry! Only a few minutes in and it's really interesting to see this perspective on cities in Tokyo
it's a pretty popular show here in Japan!!
@@DividedZone I used to watch that show but never thought I would be in it LOL
I love the fact that Norm brought a whole crew for this, shows that they were completely ready to stance up if anyone had actually tried to pull something on Sherry. Especially by the way they actually did have to intervene with that other dude chasing that girl.
Oh wow! The first half of the video wasn't too surprising to see, given the establishments in those areas. But that last bit at the station was a bit shocking, it's done so blatantly too. I'm glad you thought this through and had a crew following Sherry at all times!
I think this is such an important video! Specially because from the people watching you here Norm, they get your pov, but you are male, speak Japanese and could probably intimidate a lot of these guys. This video had a very specific goal and I’m here for it!
so glad to see this. definitely know the sketchy things are everywhere. sounds like sherry had a great time!
lol she had a surprising amount of fun shooting this
sketchy doesn't mean dangerous.
Never felt unsafe kicking about myself at night but with the caveats that my hotel was out east in Kinshichō and I'm a bald Scotsman so unlikely to be the target of creeps. I daresay it'd be far different as a lone female.
Happy New Year, Norm and Sherry!
I very much appreciate videos like this. I'm planning my dream Japan trip and will be single female traveler and knowing where i can be safe vs where to avoid is helping me plan where to go and what to do.
Butting in here, but I hope you have a great trip! If you wanted to do some of the sketchier areas I would definitely do it with family / a good friend / possibly a professional guide. I had my cousin walk me through Kabukicho and Golden Gai on my first time there, and it was madness (but I'm a sort of "bright lights, city mouse" kind of person). I will pass on the advice he gave me going through there...
"Don't worry about being polite here. Accept nothing, no drinks, no offers, no invitations to go anywhere. If someone wants you to do it, don't."
Thanks Sherry, Norm and crew for making this video, it explains quite well the unpredictable "human element" of just about anywhere in the world we choose to go, when it only takes one person, or even a small group of people, for things to head in the wrong direction. Japan has an amazing reputation worldwide for saftey, but nowhere is 100% safe. I guess it shows whenever we enter an area that relies on highly sociable activities like bars and restaurants with locals and tourists.
Great video idea Norm. Really good to have a better understanding of this subculture as i was just observing it myself in Nov. I guess i'm lucky i can travel there myself without getting harassed. Feels bad when i saw so many girls getting harassed there. Big props to Sherry for braving this, well done.
and this was with a visible camera now imagine it without one
same thing.
It's the same thing.
Source: I have done the walk so many times purely to people watch I lost count.
I was shocked at the amount of aggressive african scammers in the Kabukicho area when I visited about a month ago, nowhere else in Japan had I experienced that. It honestly ruined my otherwise great evening and I was about ready blow up and tell them to screw themselves. I wanted to check out one of the bars in the Golden Gai, but by then I wasn't really in the mood for it anymore, unfortunately. Still, can't wait to visit Japan next time when my 日本語 improves and likely delve into the less touristy cities, like Hiroshima, Nagoya or perhaps Aomori.
Thanks Norm. Reminds me of my last trip to Japan over a decade ago now. All night in Roppongi, was a fun night. First guy seems like he was trying his Nampa(pick up game).
Japan is generally safe for Foreigners, safer then a lot of other places people go to on Vacation elsewhere in the world, but low crime against foreigners, doesn't mean no crime.
Tips for Solo Travelers if going to Shinjuku/Tokyo at large at night that I read and heard before going to Japan.
1. If a "tut" aka greeters on the street try to get you to go into a specific bar, decline them, politely if possible.
2. Know the drink prices before ordering, if they don't say and its not on the menu assume it is very expensive. A attractive female sits besides you and wants you to buy her drinks, it can be very expensive.
3. If you do not like something that is happening, be loud and say NO, they do not want attention, especially do this if you are a female.
4. Buddy up with other travelers from you hotel/guesthouse if you can.
Otherwise, Stay safe, and have fun.
This was such a cool video!!
I traveled to Tokyo back in 2017 with my mom, and honestly Shinjuku was the only place both me and her hated lmaoo it was super crowded, super loud everywhere, the streets were way more dirty than anywhere else, some places even smelled a bit, and the guys that hang around there even in the afternoon are sort of scary/uncomfortable to be around...
i see some things haven't changed since then lol being a woman traveling solo or with a small women-only group is quite challenging pretty much anywhere in the world, unfortunately (especially at night)
but there are a bunch of foreign tourist there. I wonder why Shinjuku is hated but still gets many tourists
The way I explain it these days is that even the safest major cities have it's dodgy places you should avoid, especially alone at night. Haha, but last time I went to Shinjuku for two nights out, I knew none of this and feel lucky to escape unscathed. The most dangerous point was when I was approached by one of the notorious Africans who started probing in English for what I was looking for before attempting to persuade me to follow him through a mildly decorated door in a non commercial dank alley to meet some ladies. Apparently it's a well known scam that if you follow them, they will drug you and make a huge bill on your credit card and if you don't comply, probably beat you up. Scams like this are such a shame because Shinjuku really is a truly spectacular place with a bustling night life. My advice is to plan well before going there, know which streets to avoid and only visit places that have an established reputation.
Shinjuku entertainment areas 😬 even when I'm with other people it's too crowded, too noisy, very uncomfortable. I try to avoid going anywhere near it. On the other hand, I liked the feel of the area around the government building and loved the free view of Tokyo in all directions from the observation floor. Have a great week, Norm 💜✌️🐦
I've seen groups of young school children alone in the train station in Tokyo and felt very safe as a solo female traveler in Japan for work. I went down to Yokosuka and had no trouble, even in the Honch, but I didn't go out late at night. I was warned not to enter Roppongi alone. I did not have a chance to check it out for myself, so I've always been curious about Roppongi. I felt absolutely safe in many areas of Japan but I also made sure to maintain situational awareness. My heart is in Japan ❤
I worked for a travel and tourism company and it was astounding to me that at the time, 70% of all solo travellers were women (2017).
There are no words to express how disheartening it is to hear of stories of solo female travellers having their trips and adventures ruined by not feeling safe.
AH! I was waiting for this one. Happy ans blessed new year, Like the no BS no filters POV & style of TL. way to go. I look forward to see the renovations and the experience and that great view ! I feel like that level of NANPA culture is too intense, weirdo mentality behavior, making asking out ladies challenging and most of the time imposible since,as we saw, they have to be on the defensive 24/7 if they are not in the relax/party/dating mode/mentality.. great one to start the yr
This is so cool! I feel like I’m watching a light hearted, gritty documentary, lol. So cool Norm. Thanks to Sherry for playing along!
5'6" about 120lbs American male... and I stayed in Kabukicho on my trip there. There were times that I was approached that I felt were concerning, but probably not nearly the type of approach a woman would receive. I got out of my sketchy encounters just fine, and one guy who tried to drag me into his bar that took me threatening him to let go of my arm was kinda like my buddy by the end of the trip being I passed by him almost everyday for 2 weeks. We would fist bump, and he did much better at keeping his distance from me as I him. The one encounter where a woman begged to give me a massage after coming out of a limo with four men in suits with shades... I was nice and quickly talked and backed my way out politely. That was a weird one as well.
Great video as always and Sherryberry looks absolutely stunning in this.
Super useful information! When I visit I plan to go solo, but I heard the night life is where the fun is at!
stay safe!
@@TokyoLens Thank you! Amazing video
I avoid Kabukicho during the day. It’s the only place I’ve felt creeped out in Tokyo. No one ever really bothers me though, but I don’t think I give off “friendly” vibes when I’m alone 😂
Hahaha got those vibes tuned for the Shinjuku streets 😂
@Sperbs it's funny because when my brother and I were in Shinjuku we were just wandering around (during daylight mind you)& then I noticed the streets just getting empty and the signage getting, um, weird. And I told him, "Oh I know where we are...Kabukicho. Let's go back!" But happy that was just during the daytime and not at night, and not solo!
during the day it's absolutely fine, at night it's just the street touts to ignore.
just started watching your videos last night, Wont lie , watching them makes me want to go to tokyo some day. thank you for showing and giving information. from Pennsylvania
I traveled solo and stayed in NishiShinjuku but often wandered around Kabukicho late at night, and I felt 100% safe-safer than in my own country. I think it depends on how you carry yourself. But also, if they see you aren't local or Asian, most men don't even approach you because most of them don't speak other languages.
Oh, good information! I’m probably going to be making my eventual trip solo, so good to keep in mind.
Glad it was helpful!
Watching this in prep for my solo 24 hour Tokyo walk next month! This’ll be super useful 💖
Stay safe Laura!!
@@TokyoLens I will! I’ll be most nervous from 10pm - 3am I imagine! But I’m sure it’ll be fine 🙌🏻
Props to Sherry for putting herself out there for this and it’s interesting to see how different areas of Japan feel like
Thanks!!
Many years ago, a friend and I (both female) booked an AirBnB in Shinjuku. However, you would definitely need to walk past/through Kabukicho to get to it (we didn't know that when booking the place). We didn't feel too unsafe, but there definitely were many scouts around. We avoided eye contact with them, and even if they did try to engage in conversation with us, we showed disinterest and that we didn't know japanese. Generally, it was okay but I would not want to stay there again.
this was an extremely interesting and eye opening video! Thank you to both you and Sherry for doing this
Interesting video! I was actually in Tokyo just about a month ago as a solo female traveller and visited Shinjuku. I visited Kabukicho for a couple hours in the late afternoon to early evening, and while it didn’t feel unsafe at that time, it was definitely the sketchiest area I saw in Tokyo. Worth a visit, but I wouldn’t want to go there at night by myself.
Glad you had sherrys 6 . Just watched your Kamakura go pro walk great place . Love your content and relaxing adventures.Take care and Happy New Year 🎉
Happy new year norm. Hope to get to watch this video in about 9 hours, darn work.
See you then!!
I stayed in Shinjuku during my first trip to Japan by myself. Obviously a very different experience as a solo foreign male traveler but even i could tell it just wasn't a place for me late at night. It's tough because staying near Shinjuku station is SUPER convenient, but the vibes are just not my scene.
Honestly it'll be cool to see more cities across the world do something like this when talking about different disterects or burrors or what ever.
Travelled to Tokyo just Dec last year w/my girlfriend who’s a first timer; and when I toured her in Shinjuku, Kabukicho specifically, I already informed her beforehand of what the vibe is. -After checking the streets for few minutes, she decided to check other spots/cities instead. Well, at least she enjoyed the cat from the big LCD right outside the station😅
even as a solo white nerdy dude walking around kabukicho i couldnt make it 2 minutes without something following me and asking if i wanted cheap drinks with euh.. extras. it seems like golden gai has like a barrier around it that keeps em out
Fascinating experiment - Happy New Year Norm!
Happy New Year!
The sad part about this is actually what I see in every big city around the world, and especially here in the States. You see a woman running to get away from someone, and no one (except you guys who were actively looking for it) stopped to help.
As a man, it breaks my heart to see, but it also puts me in a horrible spot because now I will almost always come across as a creep if I were to legitimately ask someone if they were lost and needed help.
As a society, the sense of community just seems gone, and it's sad that it seems so widespread.
The thing is, people who are lost will ask for help. Just let them choose who they want it from.
While these things are usual in Shinjuku, I've still felt relatively safe even if people walk up to me to talk or visit their business compare to other big cities. They accept no and don't physically try to harass you, in my and my friend's case. I remember one foreigner trying to get me to visit their bar, when I wanted to visit a place that was right below it instead on a friend's invitation. The guy accompanied me to the underground club, bought me a drink and told me the whole story about the owner and the fun facts related to his friendship with them. Then he excused himself that he had to get back to his own bar and came to check up on me later how I was doing. As I was alone since my friend was working, and I'd heard horror stories of what could happen, I didn't dare to visit his bar. But the guy didn't pester me, was genuinely very nice, and conventional throughout the entire night. One of the safest places I've felt as a woman in metropolitan cities. The only thing I'm torn about Shinjuku is the humongous rats, feeding on street trash...
I love that the first shot of Kabuki-cho features an establishment called "CASINO BLOW"
Have to admit I avoid kabukichou and golden gai, I just don't need that sort of hassle .
If I'm out in Shinjuku it's normally south of the main road by Donki but north of the main road that passes the station south mezzanine entrance and runs down towards the national garden. Still east of the station but a lot more civilised. This area is the main shopping area and also has a lot of night life stuff there and tends to seem to be a lot safer than north of that main road.
In the past I've stayed in hotels in west Shinjuku and it's very quiet, as shown, once you get out into the hotels near the government building but it's more lively in the entertainment area just west of the station. The same as just east of the station but not as bad as kabukichou etc
Much of this video was expanded for Tim lol
Great video Norm. I stayed near the Tokyo metropolitan government building in Nov. Walked around as a solo female and felt safe. I went to Kabikucho and was not comfortable. It was also dense with tourist unlike my previous visits.
I lived in Japan in 1991 so knew what to expect in Shinjuku/Kabuchiko. I was in Shinjuku with my husband in September October 2024 and he was just taken with the lights etc. It was shocking to see families walking around with kids completely oblivious. The extensive police presence was an obvious giveaway. This is a public service video for tourists.
Happy New Year to you Mr Norm! More exciting videos to come this year!
Thanks for the well wishes, let's make it a good one!
@@TokyoLens looking forward to it!
I’ve stayed in Shinjuku, a couple of of streets away from kabukicho in fact, and I didn’t feel unsafe when I was travelling alone. Mind you I also didn’t put myself out there to be hassled…I think if you walk with purpose they don’t hassle you. I’ve never felt unsafe in Tokyo, but obviously you do need to be cautious wherever you are.
Absolutely love Kabukicho!!! Its not just the women who get approached but as long as your street smart like anywhere else in the world with lots of bars, you be fine. Sector 7 is a great bar
Quite an eye opening video given how Tokyo is generally pretty safe. I’ll be going back to Japan in 2 weeks, this time with my Mum ☺️ we’ll be having a couple beers now and again and I won’t be overly concerned if we’re in Kabukicho, but I’ll be on my guard just in case 😆
eye opening? What ever happened in this video that wasn't "safe" ?
@@Official-OpenAI my guy, did me and you just watch the same video?
@@SevenSteelHills Answer my question then?
Thanks for the video!
I've never been to Japan, but I've had something bad happen. I hate that this kind of stuff happens.
Stay safe everyone
Very worthwhile video! Practical and useful information for your female viewers.
That show she mentioned is really cute, but also super surreal from an American perspective.
Also wow! Not even 1 minute and a guy swoops in and is immediately sketchy
Immediate sketch!!! lol
That’s Shinjuku in a nutshell
I usually prefer just traveling alone when I'm in Japan. So when I'm in Tokyo going to Shibuya and Shinjuku, I'm used to it. I'm definitely not the girly type and usually wear baggy stuff, so I don't really attract attention, haha.. Though I will never drink or enter any bars alone there! Once, I encountered in Shibuya there were these noisy, maybe late teens or early 20s noisy guys on the streets running past strangers. They shout random things at you, as they pass you by. It's just so rude and annoying. I instantly had that intrusive thought to replay the moment and just trip the guy and have him fall face flat on the pavement.
But yeah, for most ladies, being alone in Shinjuku, especially at night... I wouldn't recommend it.
Japan still seems one of the safest countries for a woman to be alone at night. In Australia, I hate walking to my car alone at night after going out for tea with friends. (And I live in a town, not a city) there are areas to avoid in every town and city, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid those areas..
Thank you for this insight. Me and partner wanted to go out and explore separately while visiting but definitely will make sure we stay together!
East Shinjuku is probably the only “sketchy” part of the city in my experience. The rest of Tokyo is pretty safe.
It's funny/interesting seeing Sherry have the same reaction I had with the (I think) Nigerian guys, haha. As a tall white dude, while walking around to kill time before going to the Robot Cafe, I got offered a lot of "you want sex?" by people in front of shops. I was kind of surprised that the Nigerian dudes were the nicest. They were a bit assertive on their first request but backed off easily and were nice about it once I brushed them off or said no, vs others pestering/blocking me a few times until I walked too far away. In one case, I had brushed one Nigerian guy off and saying, "I'm just going to Robot Cafe". As I walked away and turned left, he yelled to me that I needed to turn right. 😄 I definitely had the same "wow, he was nice!" reaction.
Sherry got the full vip treatment with her own secret service. Still, Shinjuku looks like it is a lot safer at night then a lot of cities around the world. Even some parts of Toronto these days.
Id be interested in finding out if a lone foreign woman would be treated similarly and feel just as uncomfortable.
Just avoid Shibuya/Shinjuku and Tokyo will be extremely safe, and honestly even the advances you get in places like Shibuya is really nothing compared to what my (then) girlfriend told me she used to get in the USA and France. Japan is still the only place I lived in so far where I do not feel worried having my wife walk alone at night.
I like your vids w Sherry. She's so sweet
Interesting video guys!
Norm I really like the opening/closing music for this one 🤙
Love these kinds of vids , nice one!
Is it safe for female travelers? You start with Godzilla in the background lol. It felt safe, even my daughter said she felt safe going out by herself at night.
But there is that old adage, if you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you.
Happy New Years bud! Interesting video as always. Just wanted to say its kinda sad/impressive that it took 30 seconds
Thanks for this video, very useful guide on where not to go at night! As a woman, the most creepy thing was definitely the guys chasing people by the station. Is that only a problem in shinjuku, or with last trains in general everywhere? Thankfully on my trip in Nov I won't be alone but I still worry about being targeted by creeps...definitely going to bring a whistle and stay away from some areas.
Nice work norm BTW have a spectacular new year.
As a woman living in Tokyo, I can confirm that it’s not safer than anywhere else to walk alone at night in Japan as a woman.
While I’m the type to avoid dangerous situations (and can usually spot them early), I’ve still had my share of unsettling experiences… Sadly, I also know many other women who’ve faced similar situations.
Japan is indeed safer than many countries in general, but it’s far from being completely safe for women. Thank you for shedding light on this important topic 🙏
This was super informative, I knew of those who try to get you into seedy bars with the promise of free or cheap drinks and to avoid that, but the fact they'll just come straight up to you and even CHASE you... nah that's scary lmao.. I'd love to go there but I'd definitely go with other people, and as a foreign girl, I'd feel more scared alone and like I'm an easy target due to the language barrier. But, I guess it's no different to England in that sense, I'd never go out alone in England for drinks, so I'd stick to the same rule in Japan too 😊 thanks Norm and Sherry!
I went to Tokyo for the first time from NYC to visit my girlfriend and i had her take me around Kabukicho, she had never been either because she never felt safe alone or even with a group of her girlfriends there. I would say Kabukicho lives up to its reputation, its everything you don't expect Tokyo to be. We were wandering and we wandered near the infamous Okubo park and jeez do you just feel sad about whats going on there. But as a guy i felt perfectly safe, i would describe Kabukicho as Tokyo's own little freezone where Japans strict tight respectful culture is unwound and people let loose. Totally different world.
Back in 2008 I went to Japan completely on my own for a month. I had a guide book that suggested a cool live house in Shinjuku. I suck at reading maps, so I wandered around Shinjuku and what turned out to be Kabukicho for a few hours until I miraculously found the place.
No one ever stopped me on the street the whole time. After the show, another foreigner that spoke English I met during the live walked me back to the station - he said it was for his protection too so he could avoid women trying to solicit him, lol.
Then back in 2015 a group of us went to Japan. On the way back to the hotel from the Robot Show, we kind of strayed from the group, so my husband and I got to see our single male friend get approached by a man saying he could get him whatever he wants - women, drugs, etc. Our friend is super confident so he had no trouble turning it down, but it was interesting to see!
I think I’m old enough now to avoid most of the men who would be after pretty young girls, so I’m fine with walking around Kabukicho and Shinjuku at night personally.
And while I did not ever experience anything bad myself, I’d say go with at least one other person if you can, so that way you have more fun and feel safer!
Me and my mom walked around kabukicho when it was dark but not too late. No one bothered us and i didnt feel unsafe. We both dont drink alcohol so we'd never go in anywhere. If im going there i just want to do some photography
I've walked these streets many many hours. I've had to fight countless people. I've met many odd people along the way. There was this one guy who kept following me everywhere. He had an eyepatch.
Sad that this is such an important video, but grateful that it is out there.
Brave Sherry 😮
Great video! As usual. I come to Tokyo like every few months (from Beijing it’s cheap haha)
Now I officially moved in Tokyo, one month ago And I still hate Kabukicho so much😅😅😅
I've only been to Shinjuku once, and it was mostly during the day. We ate at a themed café and went to a pop concert in some obscure locale, and we pretty much just walked to the station when it was getting dark. But I don't doubt that it's seedy at night, there's a lot of... stuff. Shinjuku Park was nice for a day visit though.
We stayed regularly in a hotel in Shinjuku, over the years it got more and more crowded, so I guess next time we pick another place. I never had trouble getting to the station and Golden Gai (a friend works there). I recommend bar Cambiare. I avoid kabukicho since I have nothing to do there. I did notice that my Japanese friends who waited at the bar for me kept asking me if I was ok to walk alone there 😅
I always stay at the Hilton in Shinjuku west. Love that area so much. Its fun seeing all the crazy on the east side then coming back to the quiet side.
west of the rail lines is so different than kabukicho
Yes it is. Safest city in the world 🌎 ❤
Not surprising at all that Sherry's walk through Shinjuku is a lot different than the times I've walked around. I feel safe, as long as I don't follow or speak to the those touts in the area. Nobody ever walked up to me and asked me if I was lost.
I think the difference is guys are approached and offered let's just say services you wouldn't want to tell your mom about. The funnest thing that happened to me around Kabukicho was a walked by hostess club and this older lady was trying to get me to go in and i waved her off and I said, 'いええ、いええ’ and she got so mad me. She followed me for a little bit berating me.
Some people are aggressive😅happy to see you here!
@ lol yeah you walk by them and all of sudden they act like you're like their best.
The little kid shopping show is great! 😂
Really is~
Wild!!
This is good to know as a woman who likes to travel alone as well
Glad it could add some value~
always early for a tokyo lens video!!
and I love it~
Its so interesting the different perspective. My wife (39F) and I (44M) always stay in Shinjuku when we stay in Tokyo for its central location and always on atmosphere. We have visited Golden Gai many times and loved it, hate the overpriced cover charges, but still a fun experience. My point is the difference of an experience had by a single female versus a couple/group is night to day, amazing.
Thank you for this great video Norm and Sherry, I now feel somewhat bad having maybe seen several women over our trips in situations like this and the innocent tourist we are not offer our assistance. Our eyes will be focused differently on our next visit.
We stayed in Shinjuku west in November for 2 nights and it was lovely, but didn't step foot on the other side the whole time, just didn't see the need, we had a couple of things over there we wanted to see, but they were always less of a priority than other things in Tokyo and we didn't like the vibe from that side. Probably wouldn't have even stayed in Shinjuku if we hadn't needed to catch the Romantic car to Hakone the next day.
kinda funny how the police is not patroling known sketchy areas to make them feel more safe but chasing a drunk dude with 10 officers lmao
Japan!!
👍🏻👍🏻 Happy New Year!
Woaw, this was interesting to see to say the least:
First of all, to see that this is literally the place that's been featured in almost every Yakuza game I played. More importantly however, it's been not so long since I've watched Death Note, in which the show had (what I thought to be) too many of these types of weird guys in it. And for the longest time, Yakuza games included, I had unironically-literally always thought those behaviors to be just stereotypical videogame-mechanic or fictional narrative aspects.
Nearly spat my tea out during your sponsorship part "They took me up the back entrance" 😂 DUDE
For me my opinion the city of tokyo are the expensive city. Because it's very modern. Even if you are walking alone everywhere. It's depends the foreigner to came here this city. As she feels safe... Express there feelings.. 👍👍