Shinjuku Kabukicho

It is obvious why Shinjuku Kabukicho is the largest entertainment district in Japan. The story goes back to the era when the war ended and how the area took its name from the traditional performing art of “Kabuki.”
As the redevelopment plan of Shinjuku started at a time when the area was still a burnt field, efforts were made to attract the Kabuki organization to locate a theater here. The town planned to design this city by incorporating entertainment related facilities. It was then named Kabukicho, but the plans were withdrawn due to building restrictions during the economic turmoil.
In 1956, Tokyu Bunka Kaikan, which housed the largest cinema in Japan at the time, and Shinjuku Koma Theater were completed. Decades later, the economic bubble bursted, causing Tokyo’s leisure lifestyle and the cityscape to change in many ways. Even so, the streets of Kabukicho are filled with nearly 3,000 restaurants and amusement facilities for an endless night of fun.
Security issues are known to be common in any entertainment district, but Kabukicho continues to maintain its reputation for safety, which is protected by the efforts of both public and private initiatives.
Streets seem to come alive more at night rather than during the day, so don’t miss out on the breathtaking, sparkling neon lights. You can spot them from the opposite side of Yasukuni Street.