This is a walk and talk tour showing locations of various tragedies whilst explaining the context and culture behind each incident. I will also be explaining various cultural issues and phenomena of the red lights district. My graduating thesis was night life and night work in Japan so feel free to ask anything. We can also pass locations from the game YAKUZA and locations used to film the HBO series TOKYO VICE.
In demand: 9 of the next 25 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
This is a walk and talk tour showing various locations whilst explaining the context and culture behind each incident. I will also be explaining various cultural issues and phenomena of the red lights district. My graduating thesis was night life and night work in Japan so feel free to ask anything. We can also pass locations from the game YAKUZA and locations used to film the HBO series TOKYO VICE.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 4,170 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Kabukicho Macabre Tour The Real Tokyo Vice lasts about 2h 5min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
Prices start at $71 per person for this Kabukicho experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 6:30 PM.
It can: 9 of the next 25 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is In front of the StarBucks. as a google maps pin drop https://maps.app.goo.gl/dk5fTH8gnUY4hVDY8. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 4 participants.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 42 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Nightlife & Mysteries Tokyo Tours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Vivian's tour was so interesting and informative, and her experience living and working in Kabukicho is really illustrated through all her knowledge and storytelling. Highly recommended to do this tour if you're into the macabre!
I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the Yakuza, Ryu Ga Gotoku, Tokyo Vice, or true crime in general. Despite the dark subject matter, the tour never felt too gloomy or heavy, thanks in large part to Viv’s lighthearted moments and great sense of humor.
Vivian’s tour was fascinating, to say the least! She took us through several spots in Shinjuku where we learned about serial killers, crimes of passion, the yakuza, Japan’s death penalty, and some of the darker stories hidden behind places you might otherwise walk right past. Vivian was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, and I learned so much about a side of Tokyo I never would have discovered on my own. Such an interesting and memorable way to spend an evening in Shinjuku!
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Vivian! She served as a guide to all of the key sites in Kabukicho, but also an interpreter to allow guests to understand what they were seeing (but not necessarily understanding). One of the guests in our group is a big fan of the Yakuza video game series and Vivian pointed out buildings and locations that have been integrated into the game. Her stories behind the buildings and locations allowed the group to understand aspects of Japanese culture better. For example, she described how certain bars were hangouts for workers in particular industries. I highly recommend the tour.
Vivian really knows her stuff! She has studied true crime, written a thesis and worked with the police department as a translator. She is originally from Australia so her English is perfect. She has a lot of good energy and a passion for her macabre subject. I’d definitely recommend this tour for anyone who likes more macabre subject matter. Yes, some of the content is sad, but crime tours are probably going to be sad. Definitely give this tour a shot and thank you Vivian for an entertaining and excellent evening in Shinjuku ☺️
It wasn’t just another Shinjuku night tour; it gave me a glimpse into the darker side of Tokyo. Our guide, Vivian, shared some fascinating stories and kept things light-hearted with her humour, which made it a real pleasure. I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for a tour in Tokyo that’s a bit different from the rest!
Vivian was an excellent tour guide and provided an extensive and engaging experience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Macabre tour was incredible and delivered in such an interesting way. During the stops, Vivian would provide such detailed information that had me hanging on every word! Several times I'd been taken by surprise by the victims stories (I will not give any spoilers here). Vivian was also very respectful towards not only the victims in the stories but also the people around us, ensuring that no passerby would inadvertently overhear the darker parts of the stories. She was very easy to talk to and very funny, which made the entire experience a pleasant balance between true-crime macabre and holiday-fun!
Vivian was an awesome guide. We learnt alot that we otherwise wouldn't have, and her guidance made exploring the area easy. I normally wouldn't opt for a tour guide, but this looked interesting, and now I'm inclined to book more tours in hopes of more good experiences Thank you!
I highly recommend this tour! I was curious to explore Kabukicho but intimidated to go on my own as a solo female traveler. Luckily, I found Vivian's tour! She is highly knowledgeable and made it easy to learn about the darker side of Tokyo, from its historical roots to recent unsolved crimes. She even customized our route based on the group's interests and patiently answered our many questions, ranging from Japan's legal system to "what is that sign?" This experience helped me get to know the area in a deeper way and discover places I wouldn't have found on my own.
As an adult, I think this tour should be almost mandatory for tourists, since we tend to idealize the places where we spend our vacations and ignore their dark side. Of course, what you learn on this tour is as interesting as it is macabre, but thanks to Vivian's narration, it is very engaging. Vivian is undoubtedly an incredible guide: smart, a good communicator, and with a genuine interest in real knowledge. In addition, the respect with which she talks about the events that took place in Kabukicho is admirable, as is her insistence that we take advantage of the opportunity to ask all the questions we want. We can only speak highly of her work. By the way, if you're a fan of the Tokyo Vice series, you'll love this tour. And Vivian made us want to play the Yakuza video games, too.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabukicho Macabre Tour The Real Tokyo Vice | 2h 5min | 4.9 (42) | $71 | |
 Tokyo Chopstick Making Workshop(Shinjuku Asakusa Shibuya Ginza) | 1 hour | 5.0 (1,156) | $6 | View |
 Ninja+Kabuki Tokyo | 1h 20min | 4.6 (570) | $45 | View |
 Tokyo: Shinjuku Calligraphy Workshop | 1h 30min | 5.0 (219) | $13 | View |
 Tokyo Walking Tour with Licensed Guide Shinjuku | 1 hour | 4.8 (114) | $19 | View |
 Tokyo - Shinjuku's Most Underrated Eats (3 stops, 3 drinks) | 3 hours | 5.0 (28) | $74 | View |
 Tokyo Ninja E Scooter Tour with Local Guide NINJA GO RIDE | 2h 25min | 4.8 (21) | $39 | View |