In my experience they didn’t seem too fussed about ID-ing people anywhere in Japan (especially me as I can barely remember what being 19 was like!), so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. From the gist of your posts on here I guess you’ll be keen to drink in the night clubs as opposed to the Izakaya (pubs) that the business men like to frequent after work. So I reckon if you head to Roppongi you’ll have no problems getting drinks as that area is popular at night with foreigners whether they’re tourists, US military personnel or those kids that go to teach English and hate Japan. Personally I didn’t like Roppongi as it reminded me of being out in Manchester.
Shinjuku and Shibuya offer clubs with a higher percentage of Japanese clientele and probably less chance of grief, but possibly more chance of being refused entry for one reason or another. East Shinjuku is home to Tokyo’s sex district with it’s abundance of night-clubs, hostess bars, cinema’s, soaplands and other pink industry venues. However, that area is interesting to wander through but it’s a given that you won’t be allowed into any of them and if you were you’d unlikely have enough cash to buy so much as a drink. But adjacent to that area of Shinjuku is Tokyo’s gay district. No idea how welcoming they are to foreigners but I’m sure the guide books will enlighten you.
It’s worth remembering that the Japanese do like a drink and you’ll see no shortage of drunken youths in stations in the small hours. But while they like a drink, they don’t seem too good at drinking a lot. I felt like some kind of drinking God over there and I never got ‘really’ drunk as I never do – I loathe hangovers!
As for alcohol vending machines, I didn’t see many around and I didn’t see any of those infamous used panty vending machines either!
ps. while clubs are open until 5,6,7 whatever am, the subway closes down by about 1am, so unless you do stay out all-night it's worth remebering that taxi's in Tokyo aren't cheap.
Shinjuku and Shibuya offer clubs with a higher percentage of Japanese clientele and probably less chance of grief, but possibly more chance of being refused entry for one reason or another. East Shinjuku is home to Tokyo’s sex district with it’s abundance of night-clubs, hostess bars, cinema’s, soaplands and other pink industry venues. However, that area is interesting to wander through but it’s a given that you won’t be allowed into any of them and if you were you’d unlikely have enough cash to buy so much as a drink. But adjacent to that area of Shinjuku is Tokyo’s gay district. No idea how welcoming they are to foreigners but I’m sure the guide books will enlighten you.
It’s worth remembering that the Japanese do like a drink and you’ll see no shortage of drunken youths in stations in the small hours. But while they like a drink, they don’t seem too good at drinking a lot. I felt like some kind of drinking God over there and I never got ‘really’ drunk as I never do – I loathe hangovers!
As for alcohol vending machines, I didn’t see many around and I didn’t see any of those infamous used panty vending machines either!
ps. while clubs are open until 5,6,7 whatever am, the subway closes down by about 1am, so unless you do stay out all-night it's worth remebering that taxi's in Tokyo aren't cheap.
