The density of Japanese streets
This is a small alley on the west side of shinjuku station. I used to stop there on the way home about ten years back or so. Its Omoide Yokocho (and parallel nonbei yokocho -nick name was /is piss alley from earlier days.)
Basically built on claimed post ww2 land (now super valuable) as the center of shinjuku had lots of black market stalls etc . It became a-prime drinking spot until a fire in 1999. Now rebuilt the same - with a public toilet.
Mostly locals there, some tourists. staff are a mix of Japanese, Chinese and Filipino. Some basic Japanese is helpful. Menus are mostly Japanese but the food is on display so you can point if you choose the right place. Each place usually has a seating (not table)charge-of around ¥500 and you usually get a small dish to nibble on while you wait.
You can find similar small eating streets if you venture put of the main centers to the suburbs.
Watch this video :