The Tokyo Night Owl
Updated June 4th 2020
The combination of the coronavirus and the State of Emergency has not only devastated the tourist industry but has wrecked the nightclub scene.
In April, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Japanese government officials “strongly requested” for residents to refrain from visiting hostess bars, izakayas, pachinko parlors, and nightclubs.
Nightclubs were already struggling with a severe decrease in foreign customers due to travel limitations. Still, nightclub owners carried on with the parties despite the increase in cases around Tokyo and Osaka.
Now after several weeks of temporary closing, many of Japan’s popular nightclubs are struggling to pay staff, rent, and utilities. And in an unexpected move, a vast majority of nightclubs, particularly in Osaka, are crowdfunding to stay open.
Many of these nightclubs are asking for up to 5 million yen ( 46,000 USD), which we presume would only cover rent and full-timer salaries for 2-3 months. Each nightclub is offering various support options ranging from 3,000 Yen to 100,000 Yen packages, including free entrance, merch, or VIP tables and bottles as rewards.
In our opinion, crowdfunding a nightclub is a precarious investment as there is no guarantee the nightclub can reopen. However, for many of us music lovers, and fans of Tokyo’s nightlife, it would be a serious downer to see popular techno nightclubs such as VENT close.
We have put together all of Japan’s nightclubs that are asking for financial help. Click the links below to support the venue.
ageHa – Tokyo
Goal: 10,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/284636?list=search_result_projects_populer
VISION – Tokyo
Goal: 4,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/277992?list=music_populer_page2
Contact – Tokyo
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/290444?list=project_bottom_popular
Vent – Tokyo
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/253787?list=search_result
WARP Shinjuku – Tokyo
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/268526?fbclid=IwAR3ciBHp8wj27DKVtiZS6RfkgjWGRsWmKNID9ddv8RShzq2_IMubrdpywcM
Club Asia – Tokyo
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/en/projects/view/268762
TIPSY – Popular Lesbian Event
Goal: 8,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/261354?list=music_popular
R Lounge – Tokyo
Goal: 4,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/260898?list=music_popular
UNDERBAR – Tokyo
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/255922?list=music_popular
Maharaja – Tokyo
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/256633?list=music_popular
Giraffe – Osaka
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/en/projects/view/256468
Piccadilly – Osaka
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/256035?list=music_popular
Joule – Osaka
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/255922?list=music_popular
Cheval – Osaka
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/256577?list=music_popular
G2 – Osaka
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/260344?list=music_popular
Ammona – Osaka
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/256125?list=music_popular
World Kyoto
Goal: 3,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/254601?list=music_popular
Sango – Nagoya
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/257561?list=music_popular
Herbie – Hiroshima
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/258807?list=music_popular
Orca – Nagoya
Goal: 5,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/256072?list=music_popular
NEXS – NIIGATA
Goal: 4,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/264042?list=music_popular
Bijou – Fukuoka
Goal: 4,000,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/259027?list=music_popular
Jinxs – Sapporo
Goal: 3,500,000 Yen
Support Link:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/267640?list=search_result
Heres hoping that our favorite nightclubs will survive the economic impact of the coronavirus. Are we missing a night club? Let us know in the comments.
