Whether by design or blind luck my first night in Tokyo and Japan took me to the Alaska district. I now know that this is truly a great place to party.
This was of course as part of our Fukushima and Extremes of Japan Tour.
What the Akasaka?
After knowing little about this place I was to research and read the following “In upscale Akasaka, tranquil Shinto shrines like Higawa and Nogi contrast with bustling areas like Ark Hills”.
I’ll assume that I was in the later as what I found were bustling but tiny bars and restaurants, 7-Elevens’s that were busier than most clubs, Africans trying to drag me into clubs and a whole lot of street walkers.
Street walkers on Akasaka
Akasaka is not at all the red light district of Tokyo, but it seems to be maybe where people come to retire. There are quite literally massage places everywhere, but also ladies on the street keen to get your attention.
Now how to describe said ladies? Elderly might be the best way! I was approached by many, most of which wanted to go and “drink” with me. I have never understood the concept of paying a lady to drink with me, after all I have men for that.
Once said was declined the inevitable massage was offered. Again I refused as it is not my bag, but I was fairly shocked at the numbers they were talking.
Restaurants in Akasaka
Along the main drag and pretty much everywhere there are great restaurants everywhere, particularly if you are looking for Chinese, or Korean. They do though of course have great Japanese restaurants, nice if this is your first time here
On day 1 this took me to Itamae Sushi. This looked a bit chain like and insisted I use a QR code, but I got the sickest bowl of tuna sashimi and rice I have had since Nauru – yes they have great tuna in Nauru.
The best part though was that the guy just cooked ups a storm right at the table. Good food, not that cheap, but good vibe.
Alas aI cannot remember the name of the place we took the group on the second night, but it was again on Chome street. We managed to tunnel down literally wild amounts of Gyozo (Japanese dumplings) and sake with us barely needed to spend $20 a person. In this sense Japan is a very funny place, expensive in so many ways, but cheap for much food and drink.
Drinking in Akasaka
So this is a drinking heaven, although to be fair so is Tokyo in general. My first point of call here was on the main drag called Mermaid Bar. This was a proper pub and had stalls on the street.
The second that I found and loved for the kitch value was a cross between a sports bar and a girly bar in that they showed baseball and the girls were wearing baseball clothes. Other than that their sole purpose was to beat you at connect 4 and get you buying shots. Make no mistake though this was no Street 130…..
We finished the evening and indeed the whole bar while visiting an Irish pub, for you have not been anywhere unless you have been to the Irish bar. Irish Pub Craic actually conveniently next to ours hotel, which I shall review later Hann Na Hotel. This drew a very eclectic crowd of tourists and locals with us seeing it closed before finishing the night at 7-11, far too late for how early we needed to get up for Fukushima.
Overall though I did like Akasaka and shall be book after all I’ve already booked the hotel.