George Matsuo

Hven is a brushed-metal hideaway beneath the train tracks in Nakameguro that feels both futuristic and grounded, intimate and expansive. The entrance alone, a long corridor running alongside the railway, sets the tone: You’re stepping out of the city and into something else entirely. Inside, things centre on a compact dance floor and a powerful sound system pumping out house, techno or the occasional hip hop set. But most people end up flowing between the rooms – chilling in the lounge where the music still plays but at a less intense volume, or drifting out to the smoking patio under the night sky. Hven isn’t just a music bar; it’s a platform for crossover culture. Besides great music, expect contemporary art, eclectic live performances and experimental showcases. It’s not underground, not mainstream, but something freer: a space for the in-between, for people who move through music, art and connection on their own terms. At a time when Tokyo’s creative scene feels like it’s on the cusp of change, Hven offers something rare – a shelter, a bridge, a pulse.

If you’re a sauna head, you’ve definitely heard of Sado (The Way of Sauna) – the beloved manga and essay series that sparked Japan’s recent sauna boom. Since its publication, author Katsuki Tanaka has poured his energy into building the kind of sauna he once only wrote about. Located just five minutes from Shibuya Station, Shibuya Saunas is the culmination of Tanaka’s vision: a modern temple of sweat that’s both serious about tradition and playful in execution. Guests can choose from nine distinctive sauna rooms, each designed with a different theme – from the silent, pitch-black ‘Musta’ sauna to the music-infused ‘Sound’ sauna and the serene, tea-inspired ‘Teetä’ room – channeling introspection and experimentation in equal measure. The facility’s layout is divided between two areas – Woods and Lämpi – which alternate between men and women on different days, ensuring everyone gets the full experience. Shibuya Saunas is also tattoo friendly, a rare and welcome policy in Japan’s public bath scene, making it a magnet for international visitors and Tokyo’s creative crowd alike. Beyond the steam, Shibuya Saunas offers a plant-based menu crafted by Michelin-starred chef Yusuke Nomura of Shojin Ryori Daigo, plus plenty of lounge space for cooling down. It’s wellness with a pulse; equal parts detox and downtown hangout.  Whether you’re a seasoned sauna tripper or just sauna-curious, this spot invites you to sweat, cool down, and start again – over and over, until you’re left in that

Space is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it basement club located in a quiet corner of Shinjuku that’s earned a near-mythical reputation among Tokyo’s most dedicated heads. Though small and dimly lit, it’s one of the city’s most vital incubators for cutting-edge sound – a place where forward-thinking DJs and experimental live acts come to test boundaries. The venue itself is intimate but surprisingly roomy. With moving lights, moody candlelight and a finely tuned sound system, the floor has a dark, enveloping presence – perfect for losing yourself to techno, house, hip-hop or whatever genre is on the menu that night. The volume leans heavy, so earplugs are recommended for those who want to last till morning. Programming is sporadic but strong: if someone in Tokyo’s underground wants to try something bold, weird or sonically intense, chances are they’re doing it at Space. Just five minutes from DJ Bar Bridge, it’s also the perfect prelude or after-hours stop on a longer Shinjuku crawl. We recommend that you check their Instagram or Google Maps page before visiting since hours vary by the event. Bring a lighter, and step into the dark – you might just come out changed.

Located inside a former movie theatre in Udagawacho, WWW has become a cornerstone of Shibuya’s genre-fluid nightlife since its launch in 2010. Founded by the creative team behind the Tokyo-based label and event collective WWW, the venue was envisioned as a cultural hub that bridges live music, club culture and multimedia art. The original ground-floor venue offers an intimate setting with a capacity of approximately 250 people. In 2016, WWW expanded by opening WWW X on the second floor of the same building, accommodating around 500. This expansion allowed for a broader range of performances, from indie rock and hip hop to experimental electronic music.  This venue is noted for its high-quality sound systems, including Funktion One speakers in the basement lounge, WWW B, which caters to techno and alternative electronic music enthusiasts. The programming reflects a commitment to diversity and innovation, with events ranging from local and international gigs to DJ sets and multimedia art installations. This eclectic approach has solidified WWW’s reputation as a vital fixture in Tokyo’s dynamic music scene.

Tucked away in a creaky three-storey walk-up in Asagaya – a neighborhood known for its Showa-era charm, jazz bars and laid-back artsy atmosphere – Drift feels like stepping into a fever dream built by club heads and car enthusiasts. With a capacity of just 80, it’s small enough to feel like a secret, but its personality roars louder than venues twice its size. At the center of it all is a DJ booth styled like the front of a street racer, headlights and all, with turntables where the dashboard would be. Behind it, a massive projector splashes light and visuals across the space, lending cinematic energy to a tightly packed dance floor. Oil drums double as bar tables, adding to the garage-meets-club spirit that makes Drift feel like a DIY shrine to movement, mischief and music. Programming-wise, anything goes. Hyperpop, drum and bass, anime songs, and 160-BPM chaos collide here regularly, drawing a crowd that’s more interested in the ride than the rules. The vibe is loose, weird and refreshingly unpretentious – less about clout, more about connection. If you’re after a place that embodies Tokyo’s underground in its most joyfully chaotic form, Drift is where you want to be.

A skinny, glowing hallway bar tucked into the backstreets of Sasazuka, Zookid is easy to miss – look for the red leopard-tiger signage guarding the door. Step inside and you’ll find a tight, welcoming space that feels more like someone’s home than a bar. Above the DJ booth, a neon sign beams ‘動物園児’ (‘Zoo Kindergartener’), a fitting symbol for the wild, playful energy that defines this local favourite. Though the drinks are simple and affordable, it’s the atmosphere that hits just right. Regulars and first-timers blend together effortlessly, thanks to a staff that makes you feel instantly at ease. On weekends – sometimes weekdays – DJs take over, bringing a pulse to the narrow yet danceable space. Whether you’re celebrating, crashing, or just drifting through a night in Tokyo, Zookid is the kind of place that gives back more than it takes.

The world’s largest natural wine fair returns to Tokyo on May 10 and 11, offering an unbeatable chance to explore the world of organic and biodynamic wine. Organised by Isabelle Legeron – the first French woman to become a Master of Wine – the two-day celebration brings together over 100 winemakers and producers from more than 15 countries. The event showcases a curated selection of low-intervention wines, all available for tasting with the price of admission. Visitors will receive a glass at the door and are invited to meet the makers, hear their stories, and discover the philosophy behind each pour. Natural wine still accounts for less than 1 percent of global production, and Raw Wine is dedicated to expanding its reach by connecting producers, importers and curious drinkers in an open, accessible space. Tickets are sold online: ¥7,000 for those in the industry and ¥9,000 for the general public.

Tucked away on the 6th floor of Gems Jingumae is a 150-capacity club quickly becoming a crucial node in the city’s nightlife circuit since opening its doors in 2022. Produced by Global Hearts, the team behind the much-missed Contact and Sound Museum Vision, Enter carries forward the same dedication to quality sound and community-driven clubbing. What sets Enter apart – besides its airtight sound system, lifted straight from Contact’s storied Studio X – is its layout. The DJ booth is planted right in the middle of the dance floor, dissolving the usual distance between performer and crowd and creating a truly immersive, all-around-you experience. Each corner of the room is fitted with high-end speakers and a Meyer Sound subwoofer, making the space feel less like a club and more like a finely tuned instrument. It’s built for those who really want to listen, not just be seen. Enter champions Tokyo’s local DJs and curates tasteful programming that feels personal, energetic and creatively open. And if you’ve already been to DJ Bar Bridge or DJ Bar Wrep, you’re in luck – showing your wristband from either of those venues gets you into Enter for free (for that night, that is). It’s the kind of place that’s still flying just under the radar, but not for long. If you’re looking to connect with the city’s underground, this is where it’s happening.

Just across the street from Shindaita Station, tucked beneath a swim school, is Live House Fever – the go-to venue for Tokyo’s rising indie acts since 2009. Founded by Hitoshi Nishimura, former manager of the legendary Shelter in Shimokitazawa, Fever feels more like a cultural commons than a conventional club. The space opens into a roomy entrance hall that connects to Pootle, a Vietnamese-inspired fried chicken joint which doubles as a café and gallery. The venue itself is a 300-capacity black box – maybe 350 if you really pack it in. With a low stage and a slightly sloped floor, the room offers a solid view of the performance from just about anywhere. Though it’s a cornerstone of Tokyo’s indie music scene, Fever has also hosted bigger names like MJ Lenderman, toe, Galileo Galilei, Foxing and many more. (Fun fact: toe’s guitarist and vocalist Hirokazu Yamazaki designed the venue’s logo.) Fever keeps things eclectic with a no-genre booking policy, so there’s truly something for everyone. And don’t skip the bar in the main room – it’s stocked with dangerously cheap drinks and American chips like Lays and Fritos. Come early, stay late – Fever is where Tokyo’s music heads come together.