Good gaijin bars in Tokyo?

I just moved to Japan 12 days ago, and am, for the moment, feeling a little bit lonely. I don't speak any Japanese and I'm having trouble meeting people. I would really like to have some friends, not to sound too pathetic. Anyway, I've tried going to a few bars, but they've been kind of a bust. For instance, tonight my roommate and I went to a bar touted by my guide book as a gaijin hang out with a mixed crowd. Sadly it lacked any whose language I spoke. In addition, we were escorted to a table in a grimy corner and drank our sorrows away alone. It then started raining and we got lost on the way to the train station because we fail at life. I suppose it was better than last week when we accidently wandered into a local hangout for Japanese men aged 50 to 75. (We are both 22 year old white girs,) :) So, clearly we are not yet in our element. Can anybody help us? Please!!! We need recommendations pronto! I convinced my roomate to come with me to live in Japan for a year and I'm afraid she might put arsenic in my morning coffee soon which by the way cost 1300 yen for half a pound... Oh Japan! :)

Depending on which ward you live in Tokyo, why not look into the ward office for International organizations. Some wards have it organized better then other wards. There you can meet other foreigners living in your ward and also interact with other Japanese who live in the ward as well.

Oh no dosnt sound the best of situations eh :P

Em, well what about going in past a hostel, there is a Hostel in Asakusa (i u want i can get name of it) where i stayed and i was just 20 then. they have like there own pub/bar for tourists plus some japanese people to interact with for some banter.

Hope that helps :S good lu ck, p.s. you working while your there?

Not to sound bitter, but two 22 year old white girls have got to be much better off than a 24 year old asian guy in Tokyo.

You'll find Japanese people (men and women, especially men) in Tokyo more than willing to try and hold an English conversation("broken" as it may be at times) with you, if only for practice. The idea is to get yourselves out there often and keep an open mind.

But keep your heads straight and stay safe. Not everyone out there is looking for just friendship and good wholesome fun when they befriend a stranger--that had to be said.

hey there, one of my favourite bars in tokyo is a small bar in shibuya. if you take the hachiko exit at shibuya station and cross diagonally to senta-gai (the pedestrian street were all the gyaru and yamamba hang out) walk nearly all th way to the end of it, there is a bar on the left hand side that sells beer for 200 yen a glass, which is a damn good deal and its full of plently of friendly people, japanese and gaijin alike, try it out, im sure youll love it. if you cant find it just ask a gaijin around there and they might know, thats how i found it

Thanks for the advice guys I will definately try that 200 yen beer bar. Even if i don't meet any people, I can at least get really drunk really cheaply! :)

Hi

How about trying some Irish/ British pubs in Tokyo.

The Dubliners chain of Irish pubs are in Ikebukero, Shibuya, Shinjuku etc and there are some good British style pubs good for meeting people such as the Black Lion in Meguro, the Footnick in Ebisu, Hobgoblin in Ropongi and Shibuya.

Hope this helps. I can provide more details if necessary.

You can also get free papers like Metropolis, Tokyo Classified, Japanzine, etc. They have info on some international groups as well as info on events, bars, and what not around Tokyo (and Yokohama and Chiba too I think).

the bar daniel is talking about is called Tasu Ichi, and while yes, it is usually crawling with foreigners, the prices have increased to 300 yen a beer. Still sounds cheap, but the glasses are pretty small. But always lots of foreigners, and most are pretty friendly.

Also, why not check out the Hub? They have tons of cocktails that are appealing to girls (no offense intended, just lots of colorful and fruity flavors)...they're everywhere. There's 2 in shibuya, 3 in shinjuku, pretty much every major stop on the yamanote line has at least one.

Also, i'm a 23 year old white dude just outside of Tokyo. I'll hang out with you if you want and show you good places. Let me know.

this a bit unconventional but are you working? a lot of people meet friends through work. You being gaijin could easily be models or work as actors/talento on tv and commercials. there are lots of other gaijin to meet although some are weird. It gets you out of the apartment and that is key. go to a local cafe near your house and become a regular. with 2 of you that should help. Asking people questions helps to break the ice. you being females will help just ask some guys to show you around.

1) embassy!
Most of them have open-house days to let everyone in to experience the culture and foods of different countries, and you can easily meet people of the same there. Just go and visit.

2) Metropolis and other such free English publications. Just post a note there for all to read.

sorry to digress from the subject

where do i find Metroplis magazine? is it really free?

http://metropolis.co.jp/default.asp

Somewhere on this website, they list where the magazine issues are regularly distributed.

There is a good place in Ginza (two bars, one on 5 chome and one on 8 chome). It's called the 300 Yen Bar, the name explains itself, and many foreigners and japanese flock from all around to go here. Best nights are Friday and Saturday, but even during the week it still brings in some big crowds. It is only a small place and there are no seating arrangements, but they have over 150 different drinks on the menu (all at 300 yen plus tax), including a pretty decent snack and food menu. I highly recommend this place, and visit it frequently.