This is the only place in Tokyo that I was unable to figure out. My Japanese is moderate, so I was at least able to stumble through all the interactions I had, but this back alley bar had zero english when I went and the man at the door refused to slow down his speaking so I could figure out what he was asking. I stood waiting outside the front door not knowing a thing about this place other than I needed a beer and wanted to have a good time. The man stepped out, didn't let me in, kept asking what floor I was supposed to be on in Japanese and when I responded in Japanese that I had no idea what he meant he just kept repeating it over and over again. He then asked me to wait outside a minute. I didn't. I left. Not sure if you needed a reservation or if he just had no idea why a single person alone would want to go there, but I didn't stick around.
My biggest problem in Tokyo was that finding anything to do for singles was completely impossible. I'm not a drinker, I haven't drank a drop since college, but because I couldn't find a single thing in Tokyo to meet people I ended up looking for every bar and kisaten I could find in the hopes of having Japanese conversations with other people. Every single bar/kisaten is set up for groups that are already put together and wanting to dine together by themselves. There is no place to sit at the bar for anyone looking to strike up a conversation with a stranger. You are sequestered to a table alone where you drink alone. I found one lively bar in Shibuya that looked like everyone was having a blast together and dancing and singing, but it was so packed that I didn't push my luck. My one regret for my Tokyo visit was not being able to find a place to meet other Japanese folks. They are so quiet in their daily lives and prefer to stick with friends and not associate with strangers, so I was pretty much stuck alone for the whole trip. Next time I go in a few months I'll have to start asking people for suggestions.
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Re: Feature: A Tour Of Game Bar A Button, Tokyo's Treasure Trove Of Gaming Kitch
This is the only place in Tokyo that I was unable to figure out. My Japanese is moderate, so I was at least able to stumble through all the interactions I had, but this back alley bar had zero english when I went and the man at the door refused to slow down his speaking so I could figure out what he was asking. I stood waiting outside the front door not knowing a thing about this place other than I needed a beer and wanted to have a good time. The man stepped out, didn't let me in, kept asking what floor I was supposed to be on in Japanese and when I responded in Japanese that I had no idea what he meant he just kept repeating it over and over again. He then asked me to wait outside a minute. I didn't. I left. Not sure if you needed a reservation or if he just had no idea why a single person alone would want to go there, but I didn't stick around.
My biggest problem in Tokyo was that finding anything to do for singles was completely impossible. I'm not a drinker, I haven't drank a drop since college, but because I couldn't find a single thing in Tokyo to meet people I ended up looking for every bar and kisaten I could find in the hopes of having Japanese conversations with other people. Every single bar/kisaten is set up for groups that are already put together and wanting to dine together by themselves. There is no place to sit at the bar for anyone looking to strike up a conversation with a stranger. You are sequestered to a table alone where you drink alone. I found one lively bar in Shibuya that looked like everyone was having a blast together and dancing and singing, but it was so packed that I didn't push my luck. My one regret for my Tokyo visit was not being able to find a place to meet other Japanese folks. They are so quiet in their daily lives and prefer to stick with friends and not associate with strangers, so I was pretty much stuck alone for the whole trip. Next time I go in a few months I'll have to start asking people for suggestions.