Shokaiban B

Perched on the third floor of Maruha Building in Shinjuku Golden Gai, "Shokaiban B" has a name that makes its personality clear from the start—taken from the "first-press edition B" of Japanese CD releases, the bar wears its love of J-pop and idol culture openly. The bar's official SNS account references artists like V6, XG, and Shonen Ninja, hinting at the kind of music likely filling the room on any given night. Climbing the narrow stairs to the third floor, you step into a stillness that sits just above the noise of the alleyways below. With around 2,500 social media followers, it ranks among the top 10 most-followed bars out of nearly 300 in the area. If you love J-pop, idol culture, or just want to bond over Japanese entertainment over a drink, this is the place. Climb up to the third floor—the answer will be obvious the moment you arrive.