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Pulled over and body searched by cops - is this common?
I pulled my feet away and told him that was very rude (bearing in mind they were asking for permission each time they want to open anything of mine, i.e. wallet/pouches etc). To which they apologised. I then asked if everything is fine and they basically told me I was free to go. By then it took around 20 minutes, on a shinjuku street.
So i want to know if this has happened to you guys? A little about me - I'm singaporean chinese, 35, travelling alone, no visible tattoos BUT with silver hair (which i did in bangkok two weeks ago, YAY BKK!). I was wondering if the hair could be the issue but it seems rather common here.
Anyway i ended up not going to the bar, and went back to my hotel with a bottle of combini whiskey and cried (you know, very sheltered Singaporean life).
So, so far Tokyo has been very strange, hope everyone else is having a great time though, and the Sukuras better start blooming soon dammit!
The shoe squeeze is unusual even for Tokyo. I've been stopped twice in ten years and they just did a quick pat-down and checked my bag, never got that thorough. Might have been a younger officer being overzealous or someone fresh out of training.
The silver hair definitely made you stand out. Japanese police profiles tend to flag anyone who doesn't look like a salaryman, and unusual hair color plus being in Shinjuku at night is enough. Singaporean Chinese probably didn't register to them as anything special, they likely just saw "foreign-looking person in nightlife area."
Don't let this wreck your trip. Nichome is actually one of the safest gay districts in the world, and the bars are used to seeing rattled tourists. Campy Bar on the second floor of the building next to Eagle is quieter and the bartender speaks English, good place to decompress. The sakura should be out in about ten days if the weather holds.
tbh this sounds like a classic "gaijin spot check" but the shoe thing is weird even by tokyo standards. i've been stopped before near kabukicho and they just patted my jacket pockets and waved me on, never had anyone go for my feet.
your silver hair probably didn't help but honestly it's more about the area and time. shinjuku at 9pm near nichome is prime patrol territory, they're looking for drugs and drunk tourists. the fact they asked permission each time is actually pretty standard japanese politeness even during a search.
don't let one weird night sour you on tokyo. eagle bar is fine but if you want a more chill spot try Arty Farty in nichome, it's bigger and the crowd is friendlier. also the convenience store whiskey cry is a rite of passage honestly, you're doing fine
Yeah, this happens more often than tourists expect. The Tokyo cops do random stops and searches, especially in areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya at night, and they tend to target people who look foreign or stand out. Silver hair might have caught their eye, but honestly it could have just been your timing and location near Nichome, which is a known nightlife spot.
The whole foot-squeezing thing is a bit over the top though. They usually pat down pockets and bags, but checking inside shoes is less common. You handled it fine by being cooperative but setting a boundary when it got weird.
Don't let it ruin your trip. Nichome is worth a visit, Eagle Bar is solid but small, try Dragonmen or Aisotope Lounge if you want a friendlier vibe. The sakura should start popping in a week or two depending on the weather.
Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy acce… 🏙️ Shinjuku: The Heart of Tokyo
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy access to the Yamanote Line, with hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki starting around $30 per night. For a splurge, the Park Hyatt Tokyo offers skyline views from $500 per night.
🌸 Shibuya: Trendy and Youthful
Shibuya is ideal for nightlife lovers and fashion-forward visitors, with the iconic Scramble Crossing right outside your door. Mid-range hotels like the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu run $150-250 per night, while capsule hotels like Nine Hours Shibuya offer a budget option at $40. Families might prefer quieter streets just a 10-minute walk from the station.
🏯 Asakusa: Traditional and Budget-Friendly
Asakusa offers a glimpse of old Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street, perfect for culture seekers and families. Budget ryokans like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu start at $80 per night, including a traditional breakfast. The area is quieter at night, so night owls may want to stay closer to Ueno or Akihabara.
🌳 Ueno: Family-Friendly and Cultural
Ueno is excellent for families thanks to Ueno Park, the zoo, and several museums all within walking distance. Hotels like the Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I offer dorm beds from $25, while the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno costs around $120 per night. The area is well-connected by JR and metro lines, making day trips easy.
💻 Shibuya and Shinjuku for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads should look at Shibuya or Shinjuku for coworking spaces and reliable Wi-Fi. The Shibuya Stream building has a free coworking lounge, and nearby cafes like Fuglen Tokyo offer strong coffee and outlets. Monthly apartment rentals via services like Sakura House start around $1,000 in these areas.
🌆 Roppongi: Nightlife and Luxury
Roppongi is the go-to for upscale nightlife, with clubs like V2 Tokyo and high-end bars. Luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Tokyo start at $400 per night, while business hotels like the Roppongi Plaza Hotel offer rooms from $100. The area is also close to art museums like Mori Art Museum.
🚃 Getting Around: Station Proximity Matters
Staying near a Yamanote Line station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno) saves time and money on transit. A 24-hour metro pass costs 800 yen and covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. Avoid staying too far from a station, as taxis are expensive (starting at 420 yen for the first kilometer).
💰 Price Tiers and Budget Tips
Budget travelers can find capsule hotels or hostels for $20-40 per night in areas like Asakusa or Ueno. Mid-range business hotels (Toyoko Inn, APA Hotels) average $80-120 per night. For luxury, expect $300-600 per night in central districts. Book early for cherry blossom season (late March to early April).
honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line
solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls
This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.