If you’re looking for the busiest, liveliest, brightest, craziest area to stay in while visiting Tokyo, there is no other option than Shinjuku. Shinjuku is home to the world’s biggest railways station, where more than two million passengers flow through their hallways daily. Just a taste of the immensity of this mini-city.
Shinjuku is the Japan that many people envision when first thinking about visiting. It’s modern, bright, and absolutely bustling! It was the primary location used in film Lost in Translation (which, for some people, is their only vision of Japan). Coming here right off the plane is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the epicentre of Tokyo culture and cuisine!
Shinjuku was originally several different towns that, throughout the years, eventually joined to make up the area we now refer to as “Shinjuku.” Each of these districts does, however, still retain some part of their original distinctions despite now being lumped into one title.
It is easy to access Shinjuku since so many metro lines stop here. Finding your way out is another matter. Shinjuku Station has over 200 exits, and if you come out of a random exit, finding your way around to where you were headed might take 20 minutes if you end up on the wrong side! Even locals get turned around here. But don’t let this scare you. Try to find some signage for your destination, and follow those instructions. The signs in the station are in both English and Japanese, so as long as you follow the directions, you’ll get out with no problem.
There are hundreds of hotels in Shinjuku, and from high-end to low-budget, there is truly something for everyone. Location is everything in Tokyo, and being in Shinjuku means you have the best access to various rail lines, which will take you anywhere in Tokyo and beyond! But be warned that Shinjuku isn’t quaint, quiet, or laid-back. It’s always crammed full of people and seems to never sleep. Shinjuku is divided into east and west neighbourhoods; if you’re looking to avoid the much talked about ‘red light district,’ stick to the west end.
Tokyu Stay Shinjuku is one of the best budget options. It’s a business hotel, but don’t let that deter you. Business hotels are always super clean, close to transport and much quieter than other “party” hotels. Spring for the Two Twin beds option since Japanese beds are pretty small, and the “double” will barely fit one person, let alone two.
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is a great moderate option that many of my friends have loved. The rooms all have a little couch which is great for putting your suitcases on since space is always minimal in Japanese hotels.
If you’re looking for something more upscale, try the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand. This hotel is a wonderful blend of modern interior design and traditional Japanese touches, making it a superbly beautiful hotel.
Along the streets are also some of the best eateries that Tokyo offers. The sushi conveyor belt restaurant, Shionzushi, is one of the most popular, and if you can wait in line, you’re sure to have a great experience once you get inside. Ichiran Ramen is one of the most popular Ramen shops in Tokyo, and they have a great location here in Shinjuku where you can sample some incredible noodles. If you feel like something fried, you must check out Katsukura. Katsukura is located on the 14th floor of the Takashimaya Times Square shopping complex and serves up deep-fried pork cutlets served alongside rice and shredded cabbage – to help cut the fat.
As you exit the train station, through an almost constant stream of people, you enter Nishi-Shinjuku. You’re immediately struck with the height of the skyscrapers surrounding you and the almost blindly bright lights of the neon signs which adorn the facades. If you’re looking for a great view of Tokyo, some of the tallest buildings have observation decks open to the public, offering incredible views free of charge. Take that Tokyo Tower! Surrounding the station, you’ll also find huge department stores, suburban malls and electronic shops. If you’re looking for pretty much anything, this is the place to come to shop!
Shinjuku is one of the best places to do some shopping. Unlike some areas like Shibuya, which is mostly geared towards women, Shinjuku has something for everyone. Fashion and electronics galore! Lumine 1 and 2 are my favourite shopping towers for the younger generation. The top floors of each of these complexes have incredible food courts with dozens of different restaurants.
This stunning piece of Japanese architecture features an impressive two-tower structure. The top of the north and south towers offer free-to-access observation decks . From here you can get an obscured view of Tokyo! Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower both charge admission to get up to the top. But from the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building Observation Deck, you get not only the view for free but also a great view of these iconic landmarks.
To the northeast is Kabukicho, the wild, red-light district. Down these alleyways, you’ll see large light-up signs advertising women and men of all varieties, casinos and rowdy bars. The name comes from the word “Kabuki,” a classical Japanese dance-drama that was once performed in theatres across Japan.
Once the most popular form of entertainment, Kabuki has been replaced with nightclubs, love hotels and red-light establishments. Some of these places are notorious for charging huge entry fees, spiking drink prices and targeting tourists, so proceed with care.
If you feel like taking a break from the hustle and bustle, big lights and neon signs, head down to the Shinjuku Gyoen. This enormous oasis is located only 10 minutes away from the station. Since it was initially built as the Imperial Garden for the Shogun, the landscaping is stunning. During Cherry Blossom season, this is one of the most popular spots to sit and enjoy thousands of those pretty pink petals.
For a slightly more PG type of fun, explore Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane). The network of side streets to the northwest of Shinjuku station is dotted with tiny restaurants serving ramen, yakitori and kushiyaki. Cheap, quick eats that pair perfectly with a cold glass of beer.
The later it gets in the evening, the more exciting this place gets. It can get a little intense for some people (me included), although I never felt unsafe. But if you’re a bit shy and don’t like hanging out in HUGE crowds of intense people, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you’re up for some fun, wander these streets, and you’re bound to walk right into one of the craziest nights of your life.
You might notice as you walk that above the skyscrapers is a life-size replica of Godzilla hanging out. His head peers down over the buildings, red eyes piercing and teeth ready to chomp. This monster is a giant advertisement for Toho’s newest cinema. **Toho** is a film production company famous for the movie Godzilla.
Constructed around Godzilla is the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, where you can rent a room with a view of the monster’s head. There’s nothing quite like it.
Isetan Department Store is one of the largest and most popular department stores in Shinjuk. With a wide range of products and luxury brands, this is a great place to come to buy some of the best Japanese products. To draw in more customers, the department store often features art installations and exhibitions to help draw in more customers. Creating an almost art gallery like experience inside.
Hanazono Shrine is a beautiful traditional Japanese shrine located in the heart of Shinjuku. It’s nice to see this little touch of traditional Japanese architecture and culture hidden amongst the huge skyscrapers and glowing neon signs.
One of the most fun ways to explore the nightlife in Shinjuku is by bar hopping. But if you feel like with all those options in such a busy part of the city, you might get overwhelmed; then I recommend taking a guided tour with Magical Trip. Join them to find out more about Shinjuku.
You’ll also join them on a pub crawl with a local guide to find hidden local bars and enjoy the authentic Japanese Izakaya bars food and drinks like Yakitori (skewered chicken), Japanese seafood, Sake etc. What you will enjoy on this tour is the food/drinks and the conversation with your guide and the other companies. Your guide will be friendly as well as knowledgeable, so you will feel welcome and be able to learn something about Japan and its culture. Also, this tour is a small-sized group tour, which makes it much easier to get to know the other companies and make friends with them. Enjoy the best night out in Tokyo!
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