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Located on Hanazono 5th Street in Shinjuku Golden Gai, "Kohaku Shiro" serves as the flagship of the KOHAKU group, which also runs "KOHAKU Kuro" and "KOHAKU Shin" in Shinjuku Sanchome. Among the nearly 300 bars packed into Golden Gai's narrow alleys, Kohaku Shiro stands out for its focused drink menu centered on three pillars: whisky, shochu, and sake — a place where the drink itself takes center stage over food. Multiple reviews note that the otoshi (pre-set appetizer) is a carefully prepared dish, so you can expect more than just drinks. That said, the current ownership and staff details could not be confirmed from recent SNS posts; it is recommended to check the latest updates on X (@KOHAKU_G5) or Instagram (@shirokohaku_kurokohaku) before visiting. On weekends and holidays, the bar opens from 3 PM, making it a convenient first stop for an early evening stroll through Golden Gai.
* Bars located in the same alley row.
Shinjuku Golden Gai is Tokyo's most iconic bar district — 295+ unique bars packed into six narrow alleys in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. A 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit, next to Hanazono Shrine. Featured in the Michelin Green Guide, it has been a cultural institution since the 1950s.
Read the history of Golden Gai