Japan might still be feeling the pinch, but significant investment in improved sound-systems, interior aesthetics and – most importantly – the music, have helped to keep Japan’s clubs full.

The latest clubs to emerge are trying to provide a complete night out, including great food at restaurants attached to clubs. These places include Air (Hikawa Bldg B2F, 2-11 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, +81357843386, www.air-tokyo.com, Daikanyama station), which offers Italian/Japanese fare and an impressive sound system, Alife (1-7-2 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, +81357852531, www.e-alife.net, Roppongi station, exit 2), which again offers Italian and Japanese food in its restaurant, but its high-tech club venue offers a mix of dance tunes and is a haven for clubbers; popular La Fabrique (Zero Gate B1F, 16-9 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, +810354285100, Shibuya JR station, Hachiko exit), which has a French restaurant that turns into a spacious nightclub in the evening (expect downtempo sounds during the week and house and disco at the weekend); and the upmarket surrounds of the Orbient (Crystal Bldg B1F/B2F, 3-5-12 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, +81357752555, www.orbient.jp, Omotesando station, exits A2, A3), complete with varied music policy and popular Chinese restaurant.

For a varied programme of events, head to Club Complex Code (Shinjuku Toho Kaikan 4F, 1-19-2 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, +81332090702, www.clubcomplexcode.com/index-pc.html, Shinjuku JR station, east exit), one of the city’s biggest clubs.

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