Bars & Nightlife · Shinjuku
The Open Book オープンブック
Golden Gai standing bar run by the grandson of novelist Komimasa Tanaka, lined floor-to-ceiling with his grandfather's books and famous for its lemon sour.
HoursEvenings until late
ClosedIrregular
PriceLemon sour: ¥800
Cover charge: ¥500
Cover charge: ¥500
Getting thereShinjuku-sanchome Station (exit E2), 5 min
Time needed45 minutes
Best timeEarly evening
AddressGolden Gai 5-bangai, 1-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
About
In alley 5 of Golden Gai, behind a discreet wooden door, The Open Book is a book-lined, literary bar that is open to everyone (unlike some members-only Golden Gai doors). The owner's grandfather was the Naoki Prize-winning writer Komimasa Tanaka, whose library fills the shelves. The house lemon sour, made with fresh lemon and shaken, is one of the most praised in Tokyo, and curry toast is the snack to order.
Highlights
- Celebrated shaken lemon sour
- Walls of books from novelist Komimasa Tanaka
- Curry toast snack
- Not members-only, welcoming to visitors
Tips
- Small and busy: go early in the evening
- Cash only
- Handle the books gently, they are family heirlooms
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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