Want to get the ultimate Japan travel guide, quick tips & tricks, language course and more?
It’s free! Click here 👋

Flip Guide Logo

Bar Bao Bab

Probably the only bar that serves African dishes

On the second floor of a building in Shinjuku, behind a Hawaii-ish, wooden sliding door is BaoBab, a small, cosy–maybe even cramped–bar. One of the first few things you’ll notice is the huge shelf chock-full of vinyl records behind the bar, and when we say chock-full, we mean near-breaking-point-full of vinyl records. According to their website, there are over 3000 vinyl records in that shelf. They’re not just decorations either; there is an actual record-player as well.

The actual decor is interesting, to say the least. There are a handful of paintings hung around, and they give off the same vibe as the music that they play in the bar: Soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, R&B.

There’s a bar counter that seats 20 people, and three separate tables that seat 10 altogether. So, you can come here with a date or you can come here with three or four friends; BaoBab will accommodate you. If you’re coming in a group of friends and you worry about the tables being full, they do accept reservations so just drop them a call.

If you’re starting your night early in the evening and you wanna get some dinner to go with your drinks, BaoBab is a good place to visit. They have an extensive food menu with dishes from Nigeria, Tazmania, Senegal, and many other African countries.

As mentioned before, BaoBab is quite small and you might start to feel as though the walls are closing in on you after some time, so if you’re looking for one bar to spend your entire night in, BaoBab is not it. BaoBab is better as one stop on a night of bar-hopping, or as a place to have a dinner date in. If you’re in Tokyo, do try to visit this bar at least once, though. If it’s not to your liking, have no fear, there are plenty of other bars in the area, too.

Find more places in this area

Matsuzakaya Honten

Matsuzakaya Honten

360 years in business About Matsuzakaya Honten, a Hakone Ashinoyu Onsen Founded in 1662 and depicted in Hiroshige Utagawa's ukiyoe woodblock prints, Matsuzakaya Honten has been a long-established onsen inn since the Edo period.  The inn has been visited by many...

Glampark

Glampark

If you are searching for an off-the-beaten-path destination to evade the restless city of Tokyo, then we have got just the right place for you 🌳🍃☁️ 🪵 🧘🏾‍♀️🌿🌙  Check out this Glampark review to see our experience staying at this glamping facility! Combining all the...

Atelier Matcha

Atelier Matcha

Calling all matcha fans 🍵🍃  We've got a bucket-list-worthy spot for you to try authentic Japanese matcha from Kyoto in Tokyo!  Continue reading to find out more 🔎 Just a 30 seconds walk from Ningyocho Station or a 5-minute walk from Suitengumae Station is...

We host our own bar tours regularly as well! We take you to all kinds of unique and underground locations around Tokyo, with anywhere between five to fifteen international guests! We’ve also lived in Japan for years and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have, ranging from history, and culture to society and nightlife! Come join us for a great night!

Stay tuned for more information about Japan travel, Japanese culture, moving to Japan, living in Japan and more.

Flip Japan Guide
Got a question? Reach out to us through Instagram or Facebook Messenger
Connect with us: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Join our Facebook community here!

We’re your local friend in Japan, helping you explore, experience and enjoy the ins and outs of Japan! When we first arrived in Tokyo, we all found this city to be overwhelming, not sure where to begin. During the years that we have lived here in Japan, we have discovered and visited countless famous tourist attractions as well as unique underground places. We are now proud to say that we are experts of Japan and would love to share the knowledge with all of you!

Tag us @flipjapanguide on Instagram and share your adventures with us!

 

FLIP GUIDE TEAM

Hey friend!

Just like you, we are foreigners from all around the world.

When we first arrived in Tokyo, we all found this city to be overwhelming, not sure where to begin.

During the years that we have lived here in Japan, we have discovered and visited countless famous tourist attractions as well as unique and underground places.

We are now proud to say that we are experts of Japan and would love to share the knowledge with all of you!

 

Free things to do in Tokyo: 30+ Ways to enjoy Tokyo without spending money

Tokyo is a fantastic city, and the sheer amount of activities is endless. However, costs can add...

Hydrangea in Tokyo: 21 Best Spots + Hidden Gems for Ajisai

Are you wondering where to see Hydrangea in Tokyo? Are you in Tokyo during the rainy season and...

Overnight Itinerary in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture, located on the western Japan coast. Being one...

1 week Japan Itinerary Featuring Sakura, Cherry Blossoms

Are you coming to Tokyo during peak Cherry Blossom season during March and April, and you want to...

3-day Tokyo Itinerary featuring Sakura Cherry Blossoms

Are you in Tokyo for 3 days between March till May and looking forward to visiting cherry...

10 best spots to see Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

You might think you can only see Kawazu-zakura if you travel south of Tokyo, around the Izu area....

Step by step for planning a trip to Japan

Have you been waiting to travel to Japan and you can’t wait to get your Japan itinerary going? Are...

Plum Blossoms in Japan: When and where to see Japanese plum festivals in Tokyo

In Tokyo, the plum blossoms gradually come into blossoms from late January. Here are some spots...

Coming of Age Day 成人の日: What is it & How to Celebrate

Coming of Age Day, which falls on the second Monday of January, is a significant milestone for...

Chou-you-no-Sekku 重陽の節句: What is it & How to Celebrate in Japan

Are you looking to dive into traditional Japanese celebrations? We've got you covered 🤗  The...

0 Comments