Kabukichō, Entertainment district in Shinjuku, Japan
Kabukichō is an entertainment district in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward. Streets are lined with neon signs in different colors, and dozens of narrow alleys lead to smaller venues and bars on upper floors of buildings.
The district emerged in 1948 during postwar reconstruction on land destroyed by air raids. The planned kabuki stage was never realized, but the chosen name remained for the area.
The area's name references a planned postwar kabuki theater that was never built. Today the neighborhood hosts themed cafés, karaoke bars, and game arcades frequented by locals and visitors until the early morning hours.
Most venues open in the evening and stay active until morning hours, with the highest activity after midnight. Several train and subway stations are within a short walk, providing easy connections to other parts of the city.
Several anime series such as Jujutsu Kaisen feature scenes set in this district, drawing fans from around the world. Visitors can spot real locations that appear in their favorite series and compare them with animated scenes.
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