Paper Lanterns at a Kabukichō Izakaya, Shinjuku

Illuminated red and white paper lanterns decorate an izakaya storefront in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Illuminated red and white paper lanterns decorate an izakaya storefront in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Paper lanterns, called chōchin, hang in rows above this izakaya in Kabukichō, Shinjuku's nightlife district. The style dates back centuries, when candlelit paper lanterns marked the entrances of taverns and food stalls so customers could find them after dark; modern versions use electric bulbs but keep the same round or cylindrical shape and bold lettering. Kanji on the lanterns typically spell out the name of the shop or the type of food and drink served inside. Kabukichō itself grew into Tokyo's largest entertainment quarter after World War II, packing thousands of bars, restaurants, and clubs into a few square blocks east of Shinjuku Station.

Photo taken in March 2023.

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