The name Kabukicho comes from a de-funked  kabuki theater that was planned to be built here in the 1940 but the plan fell through and the theater was never built.

Now a day’s Kabukicho is the most well known red light district in Japan. Although there are no prostitutes in windows like in other famous red light districts such as Amsterdam there are plenty of hostess bars, host bars, massage parlors, night clubs, and various other adult oriented establishments.

Kabukicho is also one of Tokyo’s premier entertainment districts because of its central location and accessibility to some of the major arterial train lines running through and connection at nearby Shinjuku Station. Many of Tokyo’s largest movie theaters are found here and getting tickets to blockbuster shows can prove to be difficult.

Recent trends in Kabukicho has seen many foreign tourists appearing in the area even in the day time, perhaps attempting to get a sneak peak at the under belly of Tokyo. Whether it’s day time or in the evening it is now not unusually to see a tour guide in a uniform with a flag raised high in the air leading around Chinese, Korean, or even Western tourists.  “New Half” (drag queen) shows are some of the most popular stops on the tours and are increasing with popularity each year.

With Adult entertainment and red light districts comes the criminal element and Kabukicho is no exception to this rule. Kabukicho is well known for its organized crime and Yakuza element and it is said that the Yakuza run well over 100 of the 3,000 plus bars and clubs in the area. In recent years there has also been more African criminal syndicates moving into the area, so it is well advised to be careful which bars you get dragged into and always ask for a price before you enter.

Kabukicho can be a really fun place to go out and party in and if you miss the last trains there are many late night karaoke places to wait for the first trains to start rolling. However it is one of the few places you shouldn’t let your guard down too far while enjoying you self in Tokyo