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Shimokitazawa ERA Guide: An Indie Live House Since 2002
What first-time visitors need to know about ERA in Shimokitazawa: how to get there, capacity, tickets, drinks, payment and practical tips.
ERA is one of the long-running live houses in Shimokitazawa, the Tokyo neighborhood famous for vintage shops, cafés and a dense cluster of small music venues. It opened in May 2002, and today it's a go-to room for young indie bands as well as touring acts. If you're planning a night of live music in Shimokitazawa, this is a good place to start.
Info checked against the venue's official website on October 15, 2026. Details can change, so confirm on the official page for your show.
Quick facts
| Opened | May 2002 |
| Address | Prima Veil Shimokitazawa 4F, 2-34-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (東京都世田谷区北沢2-34-5 プリマヴェール下北沢4F) |
| Nearest station | Shimokitazawa (Keio Inokashira Line / Odakyu Line). About a 3-minute walk from the East Exit, according to the venue. |
| Capacity | 200 standing / 50 seated |
| Coin lockers | None. A cloakroom is sometimes set up for specific shows, so check the show details or ERA's X / Instagram. |
| Restrooms | One unisex restroom |
| Getting to the live room | Outdoor stairs from 1F to 4F. The elevator is for the studios on 2F–3F, so don't use it by mistake. |
| Cashless payment | The venue lists major credit cards, transport IC cards (such as Suica and PASMO) and QR payments (such as PayPay, Alipay+ and WeChat Pay) |
| Tickets | e+ (eplus) and reservation by email through the venue |
| Official links | Website · X · Instagram |
Our own ERA page lists upcoming shows here.
What it's like
ERA is housed in a five-story building. Rehearsal studios are on the 2nd and 3rd floors, the live room is on the 4th floor, and a separate bar space called UP is on the 5th. The reception is on the 1st floor, so start there. From there, you walk up an outdoor staircase to the live room on the 4th floor. The elevator only serves the studios on the 2nd and 3rd floors, so please don't use it by mistake.
With room for about 200 people standing, it's big enough for a proper show and small enough that you're close to the stage. The venue says it puts effort into booking young bands, and you'll also see live-streamed shows. In the shows we list, you'll often find indie rock, math rock, emo and post-rock, and the room also hosts other styles, including experimental nights.
How to get there
The venue gives these walking directions from the station:
- Leave through the East Exit gates of Shimokitazawa Station (Keio Inokashira Line / Odakyu Line).
- Follow the road straight ahead.
- At the crossroads with a Mos Burger, turn left.
- You'll soon see the karaoke place Karaoke Manekineko. Turn right there.
- After about 30 meters, look on your right for the building with a green "ERA" sign.
It's only about three minutes from the gates, but Shimokitazawa's streets are narrow and winding. If you get lost, search "Shimokitazawa ERA" in your map app.
Tickets and reservations
Tickets are sold through e+, and the venue also takes reservations by email. Many shows use the band's or promoter's own ticket link instead. Each show page on this site links to the official ticket or reservation page when one is available. If you're new to the system, our first-timer's guide explains Adv/Door prices and reservations.
At the door
- Drink fee: A separate one-drink fee is collected at the entrance. See our live house guide for how it works. The venue posts its drink menu on the ABOUT page of its website.
- Payment: Because the venue lists cards, IC cards and QR payments, you may not need much cash. It's still worth checking what applies at the door.
- Bags: There are no coin lockers. Some shows set up a cloakroom, so check the show details or ERA's X and Instagram. Otherwise, travel light or leave luggage at your hotel or a station locker.
- Restrooms: With just one restroom for the whole room, it's smart to go before your favorite band starts.
Tips
- Reception is on 1F, and you go up to the live room on 4F by the outdoor stairs (not the elevator). Follow the staff's instructions when your number or name is called.
- Check the show's Open and Start times. Several bands usually play back to back.
- Check your last train home before you go.
Nearby
ERA is a short walk from the station, so it's easy to combine with a stroll through Shimokitazawa's vintage shops and cafés before the show. If you're planning a bigger night out, you can also read about Shimokitazawa THREE.