Shinjuku

District around Japan’s busiest station
•••Highly Recommended
★★★★★
4.0 (4,525)
#1 of 81 most visited in Tokyo

Shinjuku (Vh) 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. Huge, free projection mapping shows are held on the towers every 30 minutes in the evenings.
  • 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 22:30
    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.

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: typically 10:00 to 20:00
    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 260 yen from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station.

From Ueno Station

By JR Yamanote Line it takes 25 minutes and costs 260 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.

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Hotels around Tokyo

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Top rated in Shinjuku
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    •
      BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel
      Luxury

      Prime Location

      BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel in Tokyo offers a central location with stunning city views. Situated 22 km from Tokyo Haneda Airport, the hotel provides easy access to key attractions.

      Exceptional Facilities

      Guests enjoy spa facilities, a fitness centre, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, and daily housekeeping.

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, city views, and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and free toiletries. Garden views and sofas enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

      Dining Experience

      The restaurant offers French, sushi, and barbecue grill cuisines in a traditional and modern ambience. Breakfast is served American-style, and room service is available.
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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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      9.3Booking.com
    •
      FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku
      Luxury

      Prime Location

      FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku in Tokyo offers a central position with Tokyo Haneda Airport 23 km away. Guests appreciate the proximity to public transport, including Shinjuku Station, just 1 km from the hotel.

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, balconies with city views, and modern amenities such as streaming services and free WiFi. Family rooms and full-day security ensure a comfortable stay.

      Convenient Facilities

      The hotel provides free WiFi, private check-in and check-out, a lift, laundry service, and luggage storage. Additional amenities include a hot tub, washing machine, and work desk.

      Guest Satisfaction

      Highly rated for its convenient location, excellent public transport options, and family-friendly environment, FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku offers a pleasant stay in Tokyo.
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      9.3Booking.com
    •
      Hotel Pasela Living Shinjuku
      Mid-range

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Hotel Pasela Living Shinjuku in Tokyo offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. Each room includes a kitchenette, balcony, and city views.

      Essential Facilities

      Guests enjoy free WiFi, a terrace, and a child-friendly buffet. Additional services include private check-in and check-out, a lift, full-day security, and room service.

      Dining Options

      A continental buffet breakfast is available in-room, alongside room service. The hotel also features a karaoke lounge for entertainment.

      Convenient Location

      Located 22 km from Tokyo Haneda Airport, the hotel is situated in Shinjuku-ku. Nearby attractions include Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
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      9.3Booking.com
    •
      Rosenheim Tokyo Shinjuku
      Mid-range

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rosenheim Tokyo Shinjuku in Tokyo offers comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes. Guests enjoy free WiFi, ensuring connectivity during their stay.

      Modern Amenities

      Each room features a kitchen, bath, bidet, hairdryer, dining table, refrigerator, work desk, free toiletries, microwave, shower, slippers, TV, electric kettle, and kitchenware. Additional amenities include balconies, washing machines, and sofa beds.

      Convenient Location

      Situated in the city centre, the hotel is 23 km from Tokyo Haneda Airport. Reception staff speak English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Guests appreciate the room comfort, convenient location, and room cleanliness.
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      9.2Booking.com
    •
      &Here SHINJUKU
      Luxury

      Prime Location

      &Here SHINJUKU is situated in Tokyo city centre, offering easy access to key attractions. Tokyo Haneda Airport lies 20 km away, providing convenient travel options.

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, city views, and modern amenities such as free WiFi, tea and coffee makers, and work desks. Family rooms and full-day security ensure a comfortable stay.

      Leisure Facilities

      Guests can relax on the terrace, enjoy the lounge, and take advantage of the nightclub. Additional facilities include a sauna, dining area, and washing machine.

      Convenient Services

      The hotel provides a concierge service, luggage storage, paid on-site private parking, and paid on-site private parking. Reception staff speak English and Japanese.
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      9.2Booking.com
    •
      Park Hyatt Tokyo
      Luxury
      Park Hyatt Tokyo welcomes you home, thoughtfully crafting each moment with intuitive care to ensure every stay feels personally tailored. Located in Shinjuku, west Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the 39th to 52nd floors of Shinjuku Park Tower, a modern Japanese architectural masterpiece designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Kenzo Tange. Offering 171 refined rooms designed as luxurious residences, each space features curated artwork, bespoke furnishings and breathtaking views of Tokyo, blending timeless luxury with residential comfort and modern conveniences. Dining at Park Hyatt Tokyo redefines culinary excellence with stunning city views?from an American grill capturing New York's energy to authentic French brasserie elegance and modern Japanese cuisine inspired by traditional kaiseki, each restaurant offers an unforgettable experience. Club On The Park is a two-story skylit oasis featuring a 2,100 sqm spa and fitness center, offering a cosmopolitan retreat where guests can escape the frenetic pace of modern city life.
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    •
      HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel
      Luxury

      Prime Location

      Hotel Groove Shinjuku, a ParkRoyal hotel, is situated in Tokyo city centre, offering a central location with stunning views. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.

      Exceptional Facilities

      Guests enjoy a modern restaurant serving Italian and international cuisines, a bar, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a 24-hour front desk, private check-in and check-out, and a paid shuttle service.

      Comfortable Accommodations

      Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, city views, and amenities such as free toiletries, TV, and electric kettles. Family rooms and tatami floors are available.

      Guest Satisfaction

      Highly rated for its central location, scenic views, and attentive staff, Hotel Groove Shinjuku ensures a pleasant stay for all visitors.
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      9.1Booking.com
    •
      bmj Hyakunincho
      Mid-range

      Prime Location

      bmj Hyakunincho in Tokyo offers a central position with Tokyo Haneda Airport 23 km away. Guests appreciate the convenient location and proximity to public transport options.

      Comfortable Accommodations

      The aparthotel features family rooms with air-conditioning, kitchenettes, and private bathrooms. Additional amenities include washing machines, dining areas, and soundproofing.

      Convenient Services

      Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Private and express check-in and check-out services ensure a smooth arrival and departure. Luggage storage and ground-floor units cater to various needs.

      Guest Satisfaction

      Highly rated by guests for its convenient location and quietness of the area, bmj Hyakunincho provides a comfortable and relaxing stay in Tokyo.
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      9.0Booking.com
    •
      ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SHINJUKU
      Mid-range

      Comfortable Accommodations

      ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SHINJUKU in Tokyo offers a 3-star hotel experience with private bathrooms, baths, bidets, and city views. Each room includes a refrigerator, work desk, TV, and electric kettle.

      Relaxing Facilities

      Guests can enjoy a hot spring bath, open-air bath, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a public bath, lift, 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, full-day security, and luggage storage.

      Dining Options

      A daily Asian breakfast is served, and the hotel provides a work desk for business travellers.

      Prime Location

      Located in Shinjuku city centre, the hotel is 23 km from Tokyo Haneda Airport. Guests appreciate the quietness of the area and the nearby public transport options.
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      8.9Booking.com
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Tokyo Restaurants

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      Udatsu Sushi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.
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    • Waketokuyama
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.
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    • Fry-ya
      Tonkatsu
      Exquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.
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    • TEMPURA & WINE SHINO
      Tempura
      The kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.
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    • Hikarimono
      Sushi
      With a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.
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    • Daikanyama Issai Kassai
      Japanese (Izakaya)
      The owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.
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    • Sudachi
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      You can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin - rarely seen in Japanese cuisine - and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.
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    • Torinao
      Yakitori
      In a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.
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    • Ichiu
      Sushi
      Chef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques. When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.
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    • Yakiniku Onuki
      Yakiniku
      The restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth.The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.
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