In my last post, I talked about the luxury and height of the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. Today, I want to take you down to street level, and back in time.
During my stay, I experienced a side of Tokyo that often gets overlooked by tourists who stick to the neon lights of Shinjuku or Shibuya. I joined the hotel’s new “Shimbashi Night Tour” (part of their “Nostalgic Soul of Tokyo Today” package), and honestly, it was one of the highlights of my trip.
One of the best things about staying at Andaz is the location. You don’t need a taxi to find the action. I walked straight from the hotel to the Shimbashi district. It’s a short walk, but the transition is fascinating.
As the sun sets and the workday ends, Shimbashi transforms. You see hordes of office workers (the famous Japanese “salarymen”) descending from the high-rises and flooding toward the train station. But they aren’t just going home, they’re heading into the nooks, crannies, and smoky alleys to unwind.
Especially if you go on a Friday night, the energy is incredible and you will not regret it. It’s a full-on party atmosphere, but different from the chaotic youth culture of Shibuya or international vibe of Shinjuku. This is where the real working Tokyo lets loose. We explored underground passages, wandered through retro underground shopping malls, and even stumbled upon a small, quiet shrine hidden amidst the concrete. It felt like exploring a secret labyrinth.
The tour is intimate (small groups only) and guided by a local expert, which helps bridge the language gap. Our first stop was a hidden Obanzai eatery.
For those who don’t know, Obanzai is traditional, home-style Japanese cooking. We sat at the counter, watching the chef prepare dishes using seasonal ingredients. To me, it really felt like being invited into a family kitchen in 1980s Japan. It was warm, comforting, and the perfect base for the night ahead.
After dinner, we moved on to my absolute favorite part of the night: the Music Bar.
If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Japanese City Pop genre. Finding a spot that specializes in this era was a dream. This wasn’t a modern club; it was a vintage vinyl bar that felt straight out of the late Showa era with matching decorations and sounds.
The atmosphere was unbeatable. We drank nice beer while listening to crackling vinyl records of classic 80s idols. I’m talking about legends like Mariya Takeuchi and other icons of that golden age. There was even a jukebox where we could pick songs. For me hearing those nostalgic melodies fill the room while sipping a drink surrounded by retro decor was absolute perfection. If you love that 80s aesthetic or City Pop sound, this stop alone makes the tour worth it.
We ended the night at a Snack Bar. This is a quintessential Japanese experience that is usually really hard for foreigners to enter on their own. These are cozy, small bars run by a “Mama-san.”
It’s all about connection here. You drink, you chat with the Mama-san, and you interact with other locals. There is almost always a karaoke machine involved (and yes, we did sing and luckily there is no video of it!). It’s a warm, community vibe that captures the “soul” of Tokyo nightlife that existed long before Instagram.
This experience is part of the “The Nostalgic Soul of Tokyo Today” stay plan at Andaz Tokyo.
Final Verdict It was really interesting to find this older, retro side of Japan just steps away from a modern luxury hotel. Going from the slick, futuristic views of the Andaz Rooftop Bar to the nostalgic, gritty alleys of Shimbashi creates a contrast that is Tokyo.
If you are a music lover or just want to see how the locals actually spend their Friday nights, I highly recommend this.
