La Jetée, named for the Chris Marker film, is classic Golden Gai. Running for over four decades, the tiny bar (max occupancy: eight) is known as the go-to spot for film industry veterans; the bar appears in Wim Wenders' 1983 documentary Tokyo-Ga. Still, proprietress Kawai-san is gracious to first-time visitors – space permitting, of course. Cover charge ¥1000; drinks from ¥800.
La Jetée
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
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