Where to Stay in Shinjuku
Shinjuku is generally thought of as the area immediately surrounding the main train station. However, the ward itself actually covers some 18 sq kilometers and is comprised of several different neighbourhoods. The central neighbourhoods of Shinjuku, Sumiyoshicho, Wakamatsucho, and Hyakunincho are usually the most popular places for visitors to base themselves, as they offer easy access to Shinjuku’s main attractions as well as being close to mainline railway stations offering transport links across the city and beyond. Whilst areas such as Kitashinjuku and Bentencho are slightly more residential, they are still within heavily urbanised areas so there is no real advantage in staying in these neighborhoods over the more central ones.
Facts about Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most notorious districts - famous for its ubiquitous neon signs, its crazy nightlife and its uniquely Japanese atmosphere. This is nicely illustrated by the appointed ambassador for tourism in the ward - Godzilla. With a history dating back beyond the Edo period, Shinjuku has long been at the centre of Tokyo’s politics and cultural development. Below are some more interesting facts about the area:
- Shinjuku has the busiest train station in the world - with some 3.4 million passengers passing through it each day.
- Shinjuku’s Hotel Gracery has the only official Godzilla statue in the country on top of its building.
- Kagurazaka, located in Shinjuku, is one of Tokyo’s last remaining Geisha districts.
- Shinjuku is home to the seat of the Tokyo government.
- The areas seismic stability compared to the rest of Tokyo means it has the cities largest concentration of high-rise buildings.
Things to Do in Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most popular districts for a variety of reasons - not least because of its high concentration of attractions and landmarks, ranging from modern art museums to historic temples and traditional Japanese gardens. Certainly for tourists and first-time visitors to Japan’s capital, Shinjuku provides the ultimate experience of Tokyo culture, whilst offering easy access to the wider city as well as across Japan itself.
What is there to do in Shinjuku?
Shinjuku is an area of diversity. Whilst visitors will be instantly struck by its futuristic landscape, Shinjuku also has plenty of historical and traditional things to see. As such, visitors to the district can be exploring a high tech shopping mall one minute, before strolling around an Edo-period garden the next.
Does Shinjuku have a good nightlife scene?
Yes, here are the places and bars to experience in Shinjuku for a nice slice of nightlife:
- Kabukicho.
- Studio Himawari.
- The Pit Inn.
- Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho.
- New York Bar.
- Shinjuku Copa Bowl.
- Shinjuku Wald 9 Cinema.
What are the must-do things in Shinjuku?
These are the must do things in Shinjuku:
- Go to Meiji Jingu.
- Pay a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen.
- Spend some time at Shinjuku Golden Gai.
- Enjoy the views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Building.
- Spend a few hours at the Samurai Museum.
- Enjoy the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.
- Book a trail at Mount Fuji.
What are some free things to do in Shinjuku?
Some of the free activities to do in Shinjuku are:
- Go to the Yotsuya Fire Museum.
- Get a selfie with the Big Buddha at Taisoji Temple.
- Have a picnic in Shinjuku Gyoen.
- Walk around the Hanazono Shrine.
- Have an adventure in Golden Gai and Kabukicho.
- Relax in Shinjuku Central Park.
Places to Visit in Shinjuku
Shinjuku has perhaps more things to see and do than any other ward in Tokyo. Famous for its incredible shopping and nightlife, as well as offering numerous other landmarks and attractions. Below is a list of unmissable sights and excursions in the district:
- Meiji Jingu - an urban oasis offering visitors plenty of natural greenery and stunning views of Tokyo Bay. Home to the famous Meiji Shrine.
- Shinjuku Gyoen - one of the biggest parks in Tokyo, with stunning landscaped gardens and plenty of colourful local flora.
- Shinjuku Golden Gai - famous nightlife area in Shinjuku, with plenty of karaoke bars and lively taverns.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Building - one of Tokyo’s most iconic buildings, which offers incredible views from its observation deck. Best of all - it’s free!
- Kabukicho - the entertainment district is something every visitor has to experience at least once, its neon-glowing streets boasting a huge amount of bars and quirky nightclubs.
- The Samurai Museum - a gallery dedicated to Japan’s notorious warrior class, with complete suits of armour and other historic artifacts.
- Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery - Shinjuku’s resident contemporary art gallery, showcasing both local and international talent as well as offering numerous temporary exhibits throughout the year.
- Mount Fuji - Mount Fuji is an important symbol for Japan and anyone staying in Tokyo simply must take advantage of one of the many excursions offered to its national park directly from Shinjuku.
Places to Eat in Shinjuku
Shinjuku boasts the largest number of eating establishments in all 23 wards of Tokyo with some 5,795 restaurants, cafes and bistros open locally. The number comprises everything from fine dining to quirky vending machine restaurants, offering both local and international cuisine.
What are the best places to get traditional Japanese food in Shinjuku?
Those looking to enjoy traditional Japanese food in an upmarket setting have options that include
- Kagurazaka Ishikawa.
- Katsukura Shinjuku Takashimaya.
- Shinjuku Seryna.
- Nakajima.
What are the cheapest or low key restaurants in Shinjuku?
For something a little more low key, Shinjuku has plenty of sushi fast food restaurants, with some of the most popular establishments including:
- Himawari Sushi Shintoshin
- Genki Sushi.
What are the best restaurants in Shinjuku for western cuisine?
Some of the restaurants in Shinjuku that offer western cuisine include:
- Agio Market Restaurant Shinjuku By Mikasa Kaikan.
- Le Coupe Chou.
- Le Bistrot d'a Cote.
Street Food in Shinjuku
Street food is extremely popular in Tokyo so it will come of little surprise to learn that Shinjuku offers a huge selection of vendors, stalls and pop-up restaurants. Some of the best places for street food in Shinjuku include:
- Fuunji.
- Nakajim.
- Katsukura Shinjuku Takashimaya.
- Tsunahachi Shinjuku.
- En Shinjuku Shokuan Street Shop.
- Golden Gai.
Shopping in Shinjuku
Along with its neighbour, Shibuya, Shinjuku is known for its vast array of shops and retail amenities. Shinjuku Mark City and Magnet by Shinjuku 109 are two large-scale shopping malls in the district, whilst Shinjuku Station itself also offers a huge amount of global retail brands as well as quirky local sellers. Outside of the central area, there are also numerous malls, plazas and high streets dotted across Shinjuku. Some key locations include:
- Odakyu Department Store.
- HALC.
- Shinjuku Stream.
- Keio Department Store.
- Shinjuku Flags.
- Shinjuku MODI.
Transportation in Shinjuku
Shinjuku Station is Tokyo’s main transport hub - connecting services across the city as well as offering bullet train services cross-country. For tourists looking to explore Tokyo itself, JR’s Yamanote Line is an important route to know, as it is one of the mainline connecting the city’s most famous districts. Tokyo public transport can be paid for using one of two prepaid systems - the Suica or Pasmo card - both of which operate in a similar way to London’s Oyster Card and offer reduced fares across multiple journeys. Outside of its main station, Shinjuku also has five other stations to note:
- Nishi-Shinjuku Station.
- Shinjuku-Sanchome Station.
- Shinjuku-Gyoemmae.
- Seibu-Shinjuku Station.
- Higashi-Shinjuku Station.
Weather Shinjuku
Tokyo’s weather can be divided broadly into four seasons. The summertime, particularly August, is one of the least popular times to visit Shinjuku, as temperatures can exceed 30 degrees and, combined with high humidity, make for an uncomfortable urban environment. However, the spring months from March to May are much milder and usually the most popular time to visit Tokyo, as visitors flock to see the famous cherry blossom season. The Autumn months of October and November are also popular, as the cityscape explodes with autumnal colours. However, whilst the temperature in both Spring and Autumn is usually between 10 and 20 degrees, visitors should be aware that Tokyo often experiences high rainfall during these periods.
