Shinjuku

District around Japan’s busiest station
•••Highly Recommended
★★★★★
4.0 (4,494)
#1 of 81 most visited in Tokyo

Shinjuku (新宿) is one of the 23 city wards of Tokyo, but the name commonly refers to just the large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station.

Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest railway station, handling more than two million passengers every day. It is served by about a dozen railway and subway lines, including the JR Yamanote Line. Shinjuku is also one of Tokyo's major stops for long-distance highway buses. A large bus terminal, named Busta Shinjuku, is conveniently located on top of the railway station.

West of the station is Shinjuku's skyscraper district, home to some of Tokyo's tallest buildings, including several premier hotels and the twin towers of the Metropolitan Government Office, whose observation decks are open to the public for free. However, the station's west exit is currenty also a site of redevelopment with an impact on the flow of pedestrian traffic. A new station building with a 260 meter tall skyscraper is planned for completion in 2029 or 2030.

Northeast of the station lies Kabukicho, Japan's largest and wildest red light district, while department stores, subterranean malls and electronic shops surround Shinjuku Station on all four sides, including the redeveloped Southern Terrace.

Districts

  • Shinjuku Skyscraper District
    Restaurants: Hours vary but are typically from 11:00 to 22:00. Some restaurants close for a few hours between lunch and dinner.
    The area west of Shinjuku Station is home to a large number of skyscrapers including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and leading hotels such as the Keio Plaza, Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Park Hyatt (featured in Lost in Translation). Several of the skyscrapers have shops and restaurants on their ground floors and additional restaurants with great views of the city on their top floors.
  • Kabukicho
    Restaurants: Typically 11:00 to 24:00 (some open 24 hours)
    Bars: Typically from 19:00 or 20:00 until the next morning
    Closed: Some establishments are closed on Sundays
    Named after a kabuki theater, whose construction plans have never been realized, Japan's largest red light district features countless restaurants, bars, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, love hotels and a wide variety of red light establishments for all sexes and sexual orientations. Explore with caution and beware of exorbitant cover fees and drink spiking resulting in loss of cash and credit cards. The latter typically occurs at establishments run by non-Japanese patrons and is initiated by touts targeting foreign tourists.
  • Golden Gai
    Hours: Typically from 19:00 or 20:00 until the next morning
    Closed: Typically Sundays
    Golden Gai is a small, atmospheric nightlife district in Kabukicho packed with over 200 small bars and eateries. Most places are very small, seating only a few customers, and typically cater to a few regular customers. A few of the bars openly welcome foreign guests with signs and menus set outside listing prices in English.
  • Omoide Yokocho
    Restaurants: Typically from 17:00 to 24:00 (some are open for lunch)
    Closed: Irregular closing days
    Omoide Yokocho (lit. memory lane), also known under its more colorful nickname Piss Alley, is a small network of alleyways along the tracks northwest of Shinjuku Station. The narrow lanes are filled with dozens of tiny eateries serving ramen, soba, sushi, yakitori and kushiyaki. Many restaurants consist of just one counter with some chairs, while others have a couple of tables.
  • Shin-Okubo Koreatown
    Shop and restaurant hours vary
    Shin-Okubo Koreatown is a collection of Korean shops and restaurants found along the main road and side streets around Shin-Okubo Station, one stop north of Shinjuku. Many of the shops and restaurants are operated by Korean residents and sell a variety of Korean goods, including K-Pop music, videos and groceries.

Attractions and parks

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office
    Hours: 9:30 to 22:00 (entry until 21:30)
    Closed: Dec 29 to Jan 3 (except Jan 1) and occasional inspection days
    Admission: Free
    The 243 meter tall twin towers and surrounding buildings contain the offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo, as well as observatories on the 45th floor of each tower. We consider the view from the southern tower slightly more interesting.
  • Shinjuku Gyoen
    Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 16:30 in winter, until 19:00 in summer)
    Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a holiday), and Dec 29 to Jan 3. No closing days from late Mar to late Apr and in the first half of Nov.
    Admission: 500 yen
    Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant parks and one of the city's best cherry blossom viewing spots. It was opened to the public in 1949, after it had served as a garden for the Imperial Family since 1903.
  • Shinjuku Central Park
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
    This public park behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government twin towers houses Kumano Shrine. It used to have a sizable homeless population living in blue tarp shanties and cardboard box homes.

Department stores

  • Isetan
    Hours: 10:00 to 20:00
    Restaurants: Typically 11:00 to 22:00
    With a history of over 100 years Isetan is a veteran among Shinjuku's department stores. The Shinjuku store is Isetan's flagship and consists of ten floors, including restaurants on the top floors and a food department in the basement.
  • Takashimaya
    Hours: 10:30 to 19:30
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
    Opened in 1996, the Shinjuku branch of Takashimaya consists of 15 floors, including a food department in the basement and three restaurant floors. It is the main store of the "Takashimaya Times Square" complex that also houses a Hands branch and Kinokuniya book store with a large foreign language section..
  • Keio
    Hours: 10:00 to 20:00
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
    Keio Department Store consists of 11 floors, including a food department in the basement and several restaurants on the restaurant floor. The department store belongs to the Keio Group, which also operates a suburban railway line from Shinjuku to western Tokyo. The Keio department store is scheduled to be rebuilt in a major redevelopment project in the near future.
  • Lumine
    Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
    Lumine is owned by JR East and located both next to and above Shinjuku Station's South and East exits. Lumine is divided into "Lumine 1" and "Lumine 2" on either side of the South Exit and "Lumine Est" (formerly known as "My City") above the East Exit.
  • Mylord
    Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (Mosaic Dori from 10:00)
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
    Mylord offers seven floors of shopping and three restaurant floors. It is affiliated with the Odakyu Group and is also scheduled for redevelopment, closing permanently on March 16, 2025.

Electronics stores

  • Yodobashi Camera
    Hours: 9:30 to 22:00
    Yodobashi Camera is one of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers, and especially strong on camera equipment. Yodobashi's main store is located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, while a smaller branch is located near the station's east exit.
  • Bic Camera
    Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
    Bic Camera is another of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers. It has two large stores in Shinjuku: one in the Odakyu Halc Building near the station's west exit and one east of the station near the Isetan department store.

Getting there and around

Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest railway station, served by about a dozen railway lines, including the JR Yamanote Line.

From Tokyo Station

The frequently departing, orange trains on the JR Chuo Line (Rapid Service) take less than 15 minutes and cost 210 yen from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station.

From Ueno Station

By JR Yamanote Line it takes 25 minutes and costs 210 yen to get from Ueno to Shinjuku. A slightly faster alternative is to take the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line from Ueno to Kanda Station, and then the JR Chuo Line from Kanda to Shinjuku.

Orientation in Tokyo

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Links and Resources

English

Omoide Yokocho

Official website of the business association.

Shinjuku Central Park

Official website.

Keio Department Store

Official website.

Lumine Department Stores

Official website.

Takashimaya Department Store

Official website.

Japanese

Kabukicho

Official website of the business association.

Golden Gai

Official website of the business association.

Omoide Yokocho

Official website of the business association.

Shinjuku Central Park

Official website.

Isetan Department Store

Official website.

Keio Department Store

Official website.

Lumine Department Stores

Official website.

Mylord Shinjuku Department Store

Official website.

Takashimaya Department Store

Official website.

Yodobashi Camera

Official website.

Bic Camera

Official website.

Hotels around Tokyo

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      BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel
      Luxury
      Boasting a fitness centre, a restaurant as well as a bar, BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel is situated in the centre of Tokyo, 200 metres from Seibu Shinjuku PePe Shopping Mall. The property is around 400 metres from Shinjuku SanPark Shopping Mall, 300 metres from Samurai Museum and 700 metres from Joenji Temple. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel provides some rooms with garden views, and rooms have a kettle. An American breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel include Shinjuku Subnade Shopping Mall, Studio Alta and Yaso Saijo Monument. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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      da Haus Shinjuku
      Mid-range
      In a prime location in the Shinjuku Ward district of Tokyo, da Haus Shinjuku is located a few steps from Yodobashi Church, 400 metres from Nihon Christ Kyokai Kashiwagi Church and 500 metres from Choko-ji Temple. This 3-star hotel offers room service, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 200 metres from Kaichu Inari Shrine, and within 1.2 km of the city centre. Guest rooms are equipped with a microwave, minibar, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, all units at the hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms here will provide you with a balcony. At da Haus Shinjuku every room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Zenryu-ji Temple, Okubo Park and Korea Museum. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from da Haus Shinjuku.
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      FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku
      Luxury
      Set in the Shinjuku Ward district in Tokyo, FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include Korea Museum, Itsukushima Shrine Nukebenten and Okubo Park. The property is 300 metres from Okubo Baptist Church, and within 3.6 km of the city centre. At the hotel the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, towels and a balcony with a city view. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku include Inari Kio Shrine, Full Gospel Tokyo Church and Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Park. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.
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      Hotel Pasela Living
      Mid-range
      Ideally located in Tokyo, Hotel Pasela Living offers a buffet breakfast and free WiFi. The property is around 500 metres from Samurai Museum, 600 metres from Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Park and 500 metres from Korea Museum. The accommodation provides karaoke and room service. At the hotel all rooms include air conditioning, a wardrobe, a TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, towels and a terrace with a city view. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near Hotel Pasela Living include Full Gospel Tokyo Church, Okubo Baptist Church and Inari Kio Shrine. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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    •
      Shinjuku Miyabi Residence
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally situated in the centre of Tokyo, Shinjuku Miyabi Residence features free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. This 2-star hotel offers a shared kitchen. The property is non-smoking and is situated 200 metres from Takatsukisan Chozenji Temple. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Aizumi Art Museum, Tayasu Chingo Inari Shrine and Genkyoji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from Shinjuku Miyabi Residence.
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      Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand
      Luxury
      Offering a spa centre, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand is set in Tokyo in the Tokyo Prefecture Region, 1.5 km from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Opened in December, 2016, the new Club Floor "Premier Grand" welcomes guests with green tea and hand towels. Exclusive service such as private check-in and check-out is available on the 45th floor. Premier Grand features panoramic views of Tokyo. Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms include a seating area to relax in after a busy day. You will find a coffee machine and a kettle in the room. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom with a bath and bidet, with bathrobes and slippers provided. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is free shuttle service, a 24-hour front desk and hairdresser's at the property. Meiji Jingu Shrine is 1.8 km from Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Gran, while Meiji Jingu Stadium is 2.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 16 km from Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand.
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      bmj Hyakunincho
      Mid-range
      Set within 500 metres of Nihon Christ Kyokai Kashiwagi Church and 200 metres of Kaichu Inari Shrine in Tokyo, bmj Hyakunincho offers accommodation with seating area. There is a private entrance at the aparthotel for the convenience of those who stay. The property is 300 metres from Yodobashi Church, and within 1.4 km of the city centre. All units come with air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a walk-in shower, slippers and a desk. With a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and a hair dryer, units at the aparthotel also feature free WiFi. At the aparthotel, units come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Meotogi Shrine, Zenryu-ji Temple and Choko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from bmj Hyakunincho.
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      Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku
      Luxury
      Attractively located in the Shinjuku Ward district of Tokyo, Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku is situated 700 metres from Studio Alta, 700 metres from Choko-ji Temple and 700 metres from Shinjuku SanPark Shopping Mall. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service. The property is 400 metres from Joenji Temple, and within 4.2 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some rooms include a kitchenette with a dishwasher. At Oakwood Apartments Nishi-Shinjuku rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Belle Salle Shinjuku Grand Hall, Okubo Park and Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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      Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku PREMIER
      Luxury
      Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku in Tokyo features 4-star accommodation with a shared lounge. Well located in the Shinjuku Ward district, the property is located 2.1 km from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and 2.4 km from Meiji Jingu Shrine. The property is 3.3 km from Meiji Jingu Stadium and 3.3 km from NHK Studio Park. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is fitted with a bath. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Staff at the 24-hour front desk speak Japanese and English. Shibuya Center Town is 4 km from the accommodation, while Hachiko Statue is 4 km from the property. Tokyo Haneda International Airport is 23 km away. There is a 24-hour 7-Eleven that can be accessed directly on the basement floor of the hotel.
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      HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel
      Luxury
      Ideally set in Tokyo, HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar. Popular points of interest nearby include Yaso Saijo Monument, Shinjuku SanPark Shopping Mall and Samurai Museum. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and currency exchange for guests. With a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also feature a city view. All guest rooms in HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel include Seibu Shinjuku PePe Shopping Mall, Shinjuku Subnade Shopping Mall and Studio Alta. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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