Experience the Ever-Evolving, Intensely Vivid Club Scene of Shibuya

It’s the “Ko-Bako” That Keep Shibuya’s Nights Alive

Shibuya has long been known for its vibrant club culture, especially since the 1990s. Until just a few years ago, the area was packed with large-scale clubs throwing parties all over town and energizing the nightlife.

But in 2020, that scene shifted dramatically. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with a wave of redevelopment, led to the closure of many beloved clubs. Amidst this backdrop, "FUMIN-YUGI LION" (hereafter, "LION") opened in August 2020 as a members-only music bar. Even as social venues vanished during the pandemic, LION found ways to keep going—quietly becoming a gathering place for people in the fashion and music industries, young creators, DJs, and artists. Soon, attention turned to the unique appeal of small venues like LION: their cozy feel, the freedom to hold experimental events, and the closeness between people. These “ko-bako”—venues with capacities of around 100–200—began shaping a new trend in Shibuya

Today, such small venues are scattered across the city, many packed with people every night. At the heart of this movement was none other than LION.

A Surge of “People Who Want to Host Events”—How LION’s Style Evolved

“When we first opened, it was a members-only music bar. That novelty matched the times. We only opened when there was an event. But after about a year, the events themselves grew more popular, and suddenly we had tons of people saying, ‘I want to hold an event too.’ That’s how our operations gradually shifted to being event-centered. Now people say, ‘LION is always packed.’ It’s a good thing—but honestly, it’s also a bit of a headache sometimes,” says Daiki Shiroma, director of LION.

“In the past, music collectives were larger and formed the backbone of the scene, and big clubs were the standard. But now, we’re seeing more music bars the size of LION. There are so many young people who want to hold events here, and along with them, more small collectives are forming. I think this scale really fits the times.” (Shiroma)

On busy days, more than 300 people come and go at LION. Shiroma sees this as evidence of small venue culture taking root and the music scene becoming increasingly fragmented.

Another characteristic of LION is that its events span a wide variety of genres.

“Lately, house and techno—what you’d call four-on-the-floor styles—have been really strong. That’s not just at LION, it’s a broader trend. There are more young DJs nationwide, and the audience is growing with them. Of course, we also have nights centered on hip-hop and R&B. But people aren’t hung up on genres—they just dance and have fun together.” (Shiroma)
 

Tokyo’s Club Scene: More Fragmented, More Fired-Up

In the same building as LION, there’s a club in the basement called "ENTER Shibuya." It mostly hosts house and techno parties, and the organizers are often friends with one another, making collaborations and shared audiences common. A new nightlife style is emerging, where people hop between the clubs in this building—adding a new rhythm to Shibuya nights.

So how does Shiroma see Tokyo’s club scene now? “I think it’s becoming more and more fragmented. Even within hip-hop, some people only listen to drill, while others are into ’90s styles—genres are splintering more and more. From a business perspective, hip-hop has a large market, but in terms of actual events, house and techno tend to draw more people. That kind of disconnect might be a sign of the times. Still, fragmentation doesn’t mean the scene is falling apart. Tokyo’s charm right now lies in how people are open to enjoying all kinds of genres. Especially lately, with the rise of BOILER ROOM, more people are watching DJ sets and live shows on YouTube—something that’s definitely changed compared to a few years ago.” (Shiroma)

A “Just-Right” Vibe That Overseas Visitors Love

One of LION’s long-time resident event organizers is DJ CYBERHACKSYSTEM, a key figure in Tokyo’s creative scene. We asked him what makes LION special.

“At first, I thought it’d be a chill spot, since it was called a music bar. But the vibe kept growing, and it just got more and more fun. Before I knew it, I was organizing events myself. The first one I hosted was ‘Rave Racers Grandprix 2021’ in July 2021.” (CYBERHACKSYSTEM)

Events by his crew "Rave Racers" are always high-energy and packed—featuring not just DJs, but also live performances.

“What I love is that the bar counter is right in the center, so while you’re enjoying the music, conversations happen naturally. The location’s great, too. I used to mostly go out around Dogenzaka, but once LION opened, even friends in the fashion industry working in Harajuku or Omotesando started dropping by on weekdays. I feel like it added a new nighttime routine to my life. Most of all, I like that it’s not exhausting. You can relax and still have fun—even first-timers feel comfortable. That ‘just-right’ vibe is what makes LION great. I often bring overseas friends here. Whether they’re into clubbing or not, everyone ends up having a good time. The flat, welcoming atmosphere puts people at ease.” (CYBERHACKSYSTEM)

A New Flow of Shibuya Nightlife Centered Around MIYASHITA PARK

Instead of the classic “izakaya to karaoke” night, just going to LION is enough to complete your night out. That ease and sense of satisfaction is part of its charm. According to CYBERHACKSYSTEM, his friends from abroad also enjoy their time there immensely.

So what does he think of today’s Shibuya nightlife? “Ever since MIYASHITA PARK opened, I’ve definitely noticed more overseas tourists in the area. A lot of them want to go to Harajuku, and it’s also close to Shibuya Station. That’s created a new flow of nightlife, starting at LION or ENTER and looping around to spots like Bridge, WREP, and OrTokyo near the station. When you're out in Shibuya at night, this area makes it super easy to get around.” (CYBERHACKSYSTEM)

These days, the most exciting nights in Shibuya happen in its ko-bako—intimate, small-scale venues full of energy and personality. Start your night around MIYASHITA PARK and make your way through the city’s nightlife circuit—you’ll be surprised how quickly morning comes.

To kick things off, head to "FUMIN-YUGI LION"—where you’ll always find a great event and even better music, any night of the week.