Tokyo And The Magic Of Golden Gai, Shinjuku

✈ VOL. 03

Your monthly dispatch for jetsetters who want to travel smarter, flirt harder, and sleep somewhere with a view.

WHERE WE’RE LANDING: Tokyo, Japan ... After Dark and Under the Radar

Welcome to the neon-drenched wonderland where high fashion meets vending machines that sell everything from hot coffee to neckties.

Tokyo isn’t just a city... it’s an experience. A symphony of precision, chaos, and flavor that can’t be replicated anywhere else. Whether you’re dodging the scramble at Shibuya, slurping Michelin-star ramen for under $10, or trying to locate the perfect 3 a.m. karaoke bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo flexes both luxury and low-key cool like it’s NBD.

This city will seduce your senses... spotless streets, skyline views, heated toilet seats, and a public transit system so punctual you’ll question everything you know about efficiency. It’s the kind of place where you can go from sipping matcha in a 200-year-old tea house to clubbing on a rooftop in Roppongi, all before sunrise.

After Hours: Golden Gai, Shinjuku

Tucked behind the flashing chaos of Kabukichō like a secret level in a video game, Golden Gai is Tokyo’s time capsule of nightlife... and no, it’s not on your hotel’s tourist map.

Picture this: six tiny alleyways packed with over 200 shoebox-sized bars, most with only 5–10 seats. Each one has its own vibe... some punk rock, some jazz, some noir, and a few that feel like you’ve entered someone’s (very stylish) living room. This is Tokyo’s version of bar-hopping, but with a plot twist: you’re stepping into micro-worlds where the bartenders are the curators of cool, and the regulars are part of the decor.

Pro Tip: Some bars are locals-only, so look for ones with English menus or “tourist-friendly” signs. Or better yet, go with a local guide — it’ll open up access and save you from accidentally ordering a $50 mystery whiskey.

What to drink:

• Highball (ハイボール) whisky + soda = pure Tokyo cool
• Yuzu sake - citrusy, chilled, criminally easy to keep sipping

Before you go:

• Expect a cover charge (¥500–¥1000 is normal)
• These bars are small. Be polite. Be cool. Tip if you can.
• Bring cash. This isn’t the place to be fumbling with Apple Pay.
• Don’t speed-date the bars... pick two or three and settle in.

JetLag and Chill Tip: Golden Gai hits its stride after 10PM. Grab dinner first. Then disappear into the alleys and let the night unfold like a Tarantino scene shot on film.

TRAVEL HACK OF THE MONTH:

When in doubt, go carry-on. We just vacuum-sealed two weeks’ worth of outfits (yes, including shoes) into an Away carry-on using Ziploc compression bags. TSA: stunned. Back pain: canceled.

WHAT’S IN OUR BAG THIS MONTH:

Japanese eye masks from Muji. Steam-powered, lavender-scented, and the ultimate mid-flight flex. Put one on at 35,000 feet and you’ll be floating through Narita like royalty.

THE ONE IN-FLIGHT SKINCARE RITUAL THAT’S ACTUALLY WORTH IT:

Let’s be honest... 36,000 feet above sea level is no place for your skin to be thriving. Between recycled air that feels like a desert sneeze and humidity levels lower than your ex’s emotional availability, flying does your face zero favors. But before you start hauling a 12-step K-beauty arsenal into the airplane bathroom, let us save you the drama (and your dignity).

This is the only in-flight skincare ritual you actually need. And it slaps... literally.

✈ THE 6-MINUTE, 5-PRODUCT RITUAL FOR FLYING FACE-FIRST INTO FLAWLESS

1. Clean Hands, Always.
Before you even think about touching your face, wipe those mitts down. A travel-sized hand sanitizer or cleansing wipe = non-negotiable. That seatbelt buckle has seen things.

2. Micellar Water on a Cotton Pad.
We love Bioderma travel minis. A quick swipe removes last-night’s sins and the airplane grease layer. No rinse needed. You’re instantly fresher.

3. Face Mist Like You Mean It.
Evian spray? Fancy. Caudalie Beauty Elixir? Elevated. Even a cheap aloe mist will do. Go generous. Look like a fog machine. Hydration is your co-pilot now.

4. Sheet Mask (Optional Flex).
If you’re in a window seat and feeling brave, throw on a hydrating sheet mask. Go for ones that make you look less like a ghost and more like a glowing mystic. Your seatmate might judge... until they see the afterglow.

5. Lock It In with a Luxe Cream or Oil.
Finish strong with a rich moisturizer (Augustinus Bader if you’re bougie, Weleda Skin Food if you're budget-chic). Bonus: dab a little on the neck and under the eyes to look instantly 14% more alive.

Optional: Under-Eye Gels & Lip Balm.
Flying dries everything out... under-eye gels cool puffiness and lip balm (Laneige, always) saves you from cracking a smile... literally/not joking.

JetLag & Chill Translation:
You don’t need an influencer’s skincare shelf mid-flight... you just need hydration, protection, and the quiet confidence of someone who won’t arrive looking like a raisin. Glow on arrival? That’s the real status symbol.

SIGN-OFF VIBES:

We’ll see you somewhere between the 7th bar in Golden Gai and the soba shop next door that saved your life at 3:47AM. Until next week... pack light, chill hard, and don’t sleep on Tokyo.

Stay jetlagged, stay cheeky, stay chill.
— Team JetLag & Chill