Shimokitazawa live houses: a walking guide

Why does the exit matter?

The listed venues sit on different sides of the station. ERA is reached from the North Exit, while BASEMENTBAR and THREE are reached from the South Exit. Starting from the wrong side adds time on a night when doors matter. BASEMENTBAR and THREE also share one floor of the same building, so one walk covers both.

How do you walk to each venue?

North side. For ERA, leave by the North Exit and walk straight through the shopping street, about 3 minutes. The live space is on the 4th floor of the Primaverre building. For SHELTER, walk through the shopping street north of the station. It is in the basement of the Senda Building, in Kitazawa 2-chome.

CHIKAMICHI. It is a few minutes' walk from the station, in a basement in the Kitazawa 3-chome area. The venue page doesn't name an exit, so use the map link on the venue page.

South side. For BASEMENTBAR and THREE, leave by the South Exit and walk through the shopping street toward Sangenjaya, along Chazawa Street. BASEMENTBAR's page says to find the basement venue on the right-hand side, in the Calabash Building. THREE's page says to look for the basement entrance with the pink "酒" sign after the Daizawa intersection. The two venues share a floor.

West, to Shindaita. FEVER is about 10 minutes from the West Exit, or 30 seconds from Shindaita Station on the Keio Inokashira Line. See Beyond Shimokitazawa: Shindaita.

Which Shimokitazawa venues does JGIG not list?

JGIG doesn't list shows at CLUB Que, DaisyBar or 440. Their official facts are in separate venue columns: CLUB Que, DaisyBar and 440.

What should you check before you go?

• Signal underground. Most of these venues are in basements. Save the venue map before you leave the station.
• Lockers. ERA's venue page says it has no coin lockers. SHELTER and FEVER list coin lockers, though how many depends on the event.
• Space. These are small rooms, and small shows can sell out. Check the official event page.
• The night's music. A venue's usual style is only a guide, so check who is on the bill.

How do you plan a Shimokitazawa night?

1. Open this week's Shimokitazawa shows and pick one, plus a backup nearby.
2. On the venue page, note the exit and the walking time.
3. Open the official event page. Check tickets, times and any changes.
4. Save the map and your ticket as screenshots.
5. Arrive at the right exit with time to walk before doors.
6. Check your last train. See Last trains after a gig in Tokyo.

What if you are alone, have no Japanese or cash, or buy at the door?

• Going alone: With several venues close together, a backup show is a short walk away if your first choice is full.
• No Japanese: The directions on JGIG venue pages are in English, and most name the exit. For SHELTER and CHIKAMICHI, use the map link on the venue page.
• No cash: Get yen before you leave the station area. Expect a drink fee of ¥600 at most listed shows.
• Door ticket: Door tickets depend on space. Pick a backup on the same side of the station, so the walk is short.

What to do next

What to do next