5 Foreigner-Friendly Live Music Venues in Shinjuku: Ticketed Shows & Walk-in Spots

Shinjuku is the heart of Tokyo’s nightlife, boasting many live music venues that are popular among foreign tourists and expatriates. In this guide, we introduce 5 top live houses in Shinjuku City that are not only foreigner-friendly but also easy to visit. “Easy to visit” here means these venues frequently welcome international guests, whether through English-speaking staff, international performers, or an overall welcoming atmosphere for non-Japanese patrons. We’ve split the list into two categories: venues that require advance tickets like a concert, and those where you can drop in without a reservation. Whether you’re a visitor looking for a taste of Tokyo’s live music or a foreign resident seeking new spots, this list has you covered.

Live Houses Requiring Advance Tickets

These venues typically host ticketed concerts or events. You’ll generally need to purchase a ticket in advance (online or at a ticket outlet) to secure entry. Door tickets might be available if the show isn’t sold out, but buying ahead is recommended for popular acts. Expect assigned seating or entry by ticket number.

Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO)

• Official Website: Zepp Shinjuku Official Site
• Capacity: Approximately 1,500 standing (up to ~530 with seats). This is one of Shinjuku’s largest live music halls, spanning B1 to B4 floors of the new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.
• Access: About a 5-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station or 8–10 minutes from JR Shinjuku Station (East Exit). Located in Kabukicho 1-chome, within the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.
• Opening Hours: Vary by event. Doors typically open ~1 hour before showtime (e.g., 1:00pm doors for a 2:00pm matinee, or 5:00pm for a 6:00pm show)zepp.co.jp. Check your ticket for exact times.
• How to Use: Purchase tickets in advance via ticket agencies (e.g., e+, Lawson Ticket). On the day, present the e-ticket or physical ticket at entry. You’ll usually pay an extra drink fee (~¥600) at the door.
• Prices: Depends on the event; generally ¥5,000–¥8,000 for concerts, plus a mandatory drink charge ~¥600 on entryzepp.co.jp. Some premium shows may cost more.
• Main Music Genres: Wide variety – rock, pop, idol groups, anime song concerts, even international tour stops. With top-notch sound and lighting (including a 360° LED setup), it offers an immersive concert experience.

Shinjuku LOFT

• Official Website: Shinjuku LOFT Official Page
• Capacity: About 500–550 standingloft-prj.co.jp. The main floor holds ~500, and there’s a separate bar space for about 100 people.
• Access: 8 minutes on foot from JR Shinjuku Station (East Exit) or 5 minutes from Seibu-Shinjuku Station. Located in Kabukicho 1-chome (Tatehana Bldg B2)loft-prj.co.jp.
• Opening Hours: Depends on the event. Evening shows usually start around 6:30–7:00pm (doors open 30–60 min prior). LOFT also occasionally hosts midnight events (all-night shows).
• How to Use: Purchase tickets in advance (via Lawson, e+ etc.). On the day, enter in order of ticket serial number and pay a drink fee (~¥600) at the door. Door tickets are sold if space allows.
• Prices: Ticket prices range widely from ~¥2,000 for indie gigs to ¥5,000 for bigger acts, depending on the lineup. All-night events may have special pricing or include multiple drinks.
• Main Music Genres: Primarily rock, punk, and metal, spanning indie bands to famous acts. With over 50 years of history, Shinjuku LOFT is legendary in Japan’s rock scene. It’s a must-visit for fans of Japanese rock, known as a stepping stone venue for many bandsloft-prj.co.jp.

Walk-in Live Music Venues (No Reservation Needed)

Next are venues you can visit without any reservation or pre-purchased ticket. These range from jazz clubs with same-day cover charges to live music bars and clubs. The vibe is more casual – just head over, pay the cover (if any) at the door, and enjoy the music and drinks. Perfect for a spontaneous night out.

Tokyo Loose Bar & Club

• Official Website: Tokyo Loose Official Site (multilingual)tokyoloose.com
• Capacity: Around 40 seats (up to ~80 standing). A compact basement club with a bar, small dance floor, TV screens for sports, darts, and even hookah service.
• Access: 4 min walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station; ~7–8 min from JR Shinjuku Station. Located in Kabukicho 2-chome, basement of Marutomo Building.
• Opening Hours: Open nightly from about 6:00pm until ~7:30am next morning. Yes, it essentially goes all night, every night.
• How to Use: Just walk in. No cover charge Sun–Thu; on Fridays, Saturdays, and event nights, a small cover may apply (e.g., ~¥1,000 for men, ¥500 for women, usually including 1 drink). ID check at the door (20+ only). Multilingual staff will welcome you.
• Prices: Drinks are cheap for Tokyo – around ¥500 for beers and basic cocktails. Happy hour deals may be available early in the evening. There’s also a music request system; you can ask the DJ for your favorite song, no extra charge.
• Main Genres: All-mix – hip-hop, R&B, EDM, reggae, Latin, house, soul, etc.tokyoloose.com. Tokyo Loose prides itself on a “global” vibe with a diverse crowd. You’ll find a mix of locals and foreigners on any given night, making for a very international atmosphere.

WARP Shinjuku

• Official Website: WARP Shinjuku Official Site (English available)warp-shinjuku.jp
• Capacity: Main floor ~600 people, with total club capacity around 1,000 across four floors. Each floor has a different music theme, offering multiple experiences in one venue.
• Access: 3 min walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station; ~7 min from JR Shinjuku (East Exit). Located in Kabukicho 1-chome (B1F of an entertainment building)warp-shinjuku.jp.
• Opening Hours: Typically 9:00pm until 4:30am (last entry around 4am). There are early bird discounts before midnight. Open every night, including weekdays.
• How to Use: No reservation required. Show ID at the door, pay the cover, and receive a wristband for entry. Ladies get discounted entry and sometimes free drinks, as is common in Tokyo clubs. Re-entry is usually not allowed once you leave.
• Prices: Vary by day/event. For example: before midnight, men ~¥1,000 (incl. 1 drink), women ~¥800/1D; after midnight, men ~¥2,500/1D, women ~¥800/1D. Special events with guest DJs might cost more. VIP table packages are available at extra cost.
• Main Genres: EDM, Top 40 hits, hip-hop and club anthems. WARP often hosts themed nights and brings in international DJs, and the main stage typically plays familiar English-language hitswanderlog.com. The club actively markets to foreign party-goers, with English-speaking staff on siteinstagram.cominstagram.com.

Shinjuku 21 Seiki (21st Century) – Live Band Karaoke Bar

• Official Website: Shinjuku 21 Seiki Official Site (English available)livehouse21c.com
• Capacity: About 50 seats (~70 standing). A cozy 2nd-floor space with a stage equipped for a full live band (drums, guitars, keys, etc.). It has the vibe of a show pub where the line between performers and audience blurs.
• Access: 5 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station (East Exit) or from Seibu-Shinjuku Station. Located on the 2F of a building on Kuyakusho-dori (Kabukicho 2-chome).
• Opening Hours: 9:00pm until 5:00am, every night. This place comes alive late – peak time is usually after midnight when the brave (or boozy) take the stage.
• How to Use: No reservation needed. Just enter and you’ll be greeted by staff. There’s a cover charge (~¥5,000 per person, discounted to ¥3,000 for first-timers) which includes the basic table charge (and sometimes a couple of drinks). After that, if you want to sing, it’s ¥1,000 per song with the live band. Simply sign up with your song choice; the live band will call you on stage when it’s your turn!
• Prices: Besides the cover (which might include a drink or two depending on the plan), additional drinks are ¥500–¥800 each. Even if you don’t sing, the cover charge still applies for enjoying the show. (Watching others rock out is half the fun!)
• Main Genres: Since you (and other customers) are the singers, the genre is up to what gets requested. The band’s repertoire exceeds 3,500 songs: from the latest J-Pop, anime songs, enka, to classic rock and 80s/90s Western hitslivehouse21c.com. You might hear an amateur belting out YOASOBI or Ado one minute, and another doing The Beatles or Deep Purple the nextlivehouse21c.com. It’s a unique, only-in-Japan experience where locals and foreigners alike can share the stage.

These are our top picks for foreigner-friendly live music venues in Shinjuku. From large-scale concert halls to intimate clubs and one-of-a-kind bars, Shinjuku offers something for every music lover. Whether you want to plan ahead for a specific gig or just wander in on a whim, you’ll find an option above. As always, when enjoying Tokyo’s nightlife, be mindful of the last train (or be prepared for a late night!). Have fun exploring Shinjuku’s vibrant music scene and making memories on your Tokyo nights out.