Guidebook for Shinjuku-ku
Everything Else
Yotsuya-Sanchome Station
Nearest station, Marunouchi Line, 4 mins walk
Akebonobashi Station
7 SumiyoshichōShinjuku Line, 3 mins walk away
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
1-chōme-17-1 SendagayaTokyo Metropolitan Gym, with 50m pool
Take the Narita Express directly from this station to the airport
1135 locals recommend
Shinjuku Station
3-chōme-38-1 ShinjukuTake the Narita Express directly from this station to the airport
四谷三丁目ビル
24hr ATM, compatible with overseas cards
日本カジノスクール・株式会社ブライト
Local convenience store
Funamachi, 11−３
Next car rental, so convenient for day trip to Hakone, Kamakura or Nikko
Jumping point to many other locations around Japan. Also for Haneda and Narita Airport
558 locals recommend
Tokyo Station Gallery
1-chōme-9-1 MarunouchiJumping point to many other locations around Japan. Also for Haneda and Narita Airport
Recently built with great connections to the city. There is free wifi too
93 locals recommend
Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station
2-5-1 羽田空港Recently built with great connections to the city. There is free wifi too
Narita International Airport
1-1 FurugomeThere is free wifi
Sightseeing
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11 NaitōmachiGorgeous local park, 10mins away
Doesn't have its own collection, so always showing something different. See Tokyo Art Beat for listings
217 locals recommend
Mori Art Museum
6-chōme-10-1 RoppongiDoesn't have its own collection, so always showing something different. See Tokyo Art Beat for listings
Good for international and local exhibitions. See Tokyo Art Beat for listings
332 locals recommend
The National Art Center, Tokyo
7-chōme-22-2 RoppongiGood for international and local exhibitions. See Tokyo Art Beat for listings
Kanemaru Inari Shrine
Cool little shrine
The cafe inside the gardens of this museum has the best view in Tokyo. Beautiful.
144 locals recommend
Nezu Museum
6-chōme-5-1 MinamiaoyamaThe cafe inside the gardens of this museum has the best view in Tokyo. Beautiful.
A lovely walk down ancient paths, a break from the chaos that is nearby Harajuku
2181 locals recommend
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11 NaitōmachiA lovely walk down ancient paths, a break from the chaos that is nearby Harajuku
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Has a public viewing gallery very high up
Arts & Culture
Shinjuku
Toho IMAX cinema just 10mins away. Online booking is possible in English
Food Scene
Starbucks Coffee Yotsuya 3-chōme
2-chōme-14-4 YotsuyaComfort...
Royal Garden Cafe
2-chōme-1-19 KitaaoyamaPerfect for Sunday morning breakfast on the terrace
In case you decide to have a night in, great pizzeria that also delivers
9 locals recommend
Pizza Salvatore Cuomo Yotsuya
1-chōme-24 YotsuyaIn case you decide to have a night in, great pizzeria that also delivers
My fave local yakitori (chicken skewers). Recommend course menu, particularly the 10-course 'Yakitori menu' (¥5,000). 'Tasting course' (¥2,000) is great for first-timers.Booking is essential
丸美ビル
My fave local yakitori (chicken skewers). Recommend course menu, particularly the 10-course 'Yakitori menu' (¥5,000). 'Tasting course' (¥2,000) is great for first-timers.Booking is essential
This tiny, Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant offers good value for money, with prix-fixe menus starting around Y5000. Counter seats are the best; other areas can get smoky. Bookings is essential
Suzunari
Arakichō 新宿区This tiny, Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant offers good value for money, with prix-fixe menus starting around Y5000. Counter seats are the best; other areas can get smoky. Bookings is essential
Fix price for huge buffet and unlimited meats... Booking is essential (possible via Opentable.com)
Barbacoa Grill Aoyama
4-chōme-3-2 JingūmaeFix price for huge buffet and unlimited meats... Booking is essential (possible via Opentable.com)
The best yakiniku (Korean BBQ) in Tokyo. Booking is essential
17 locals recommend
Yakiniku Jumbo Shirokane
3-chōme-1-1 ShirokaneThe best yakiniku (Korean BBQ) in Tokyo. Booking is essential
Tokyo's best Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant, and this is the original store. Get there early to avoid queues
30 locals recommend
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten
4-chōme-8-5 JingūmaeTokyo's best Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant, and this is the original store. Get there early to avoid queues
Local Okinawa restaurant. Locals will often play the samisen (traditional guitar type thing) and sing along. Very cool.
四谷琉球
3-2 ArakichōLocal Okinawa restaurant. Locals will often play the samisen (traditional guitar type thing) and sing along. Very cool.
Good, reliable tonkatsu from this long-running neighborhood shop.
6 locals recommend
Tonkatsu Suzushin
10 ArakichōGood, reliable tonkatsu from this long-running neighborhood shop.
Vegetables sourced from small farms all over Japan, are the pride of the kitchen here. The menu's centerpiece is a hearty cheese fondue, served with raw vegetables, bread & optional "toppings"
ラムカーナ
Vegetables sourced from small farms all over Japan, are the pride of the kitchen here. The menu's centerpiece is a hearty cheese fondue, served with raw vegetables, bread & optional "toppings"
Charcoal-grilled gourmet burgers and sandwiches can be ordered for delivery. Sandwiches are priced Y980-1500, with a line-up of Cajun Smoked Chicken; Reuben and 12 other varieties
Faith
16-10 ArakichōCharcoal-grilled gourmet burgers and sandwiches can be ordered for delivery. Sandwiches are priced Y980-1500, with a line-up of Cajun Smoked Chicken; Reuben and 12 other varieties
Udon noodles and decent izakaya fare are served until late at night at this neighbhorhood drinking spot. Open until 11pm Saturdays, 2am on weeknights
秋山
23-15 ArakichōUdon noodles and decent izakaya fare are served until late at night at this neighbhorhood drinking spot. Open until 11pm Saturdays, 2am on weeknights
Drinks & Nightlife
ＩＡビル
Stylish local bar
This tiny second-floor bar has a Buddhist theme - the name in Japanese is "bouzu", or Buddhist priest - with a little shrine in one corner. A blind priest sometimes chants. Not your usual bar!
ＡＧビル
This tiny second-floor bar has a Buddhist theme - the name in Japanese is "bouzu", or Buddhist priest - with a little shrine in one corner. A blind priest sometimes chants. Not your usual bar!
This cool bar should not be missed if you are a fan of 90’s retro games! Has every games console you can think of, and three screens to play them on, including Bomberman on SNES
ＧＡＭＥＣＡＦＥ＆ＢＡＲ・Ｎｉｎｅｔｙ
16-16-2 ArakichōThis cool bar should not be missed if you are a fan of 90’s retro games! Has every games console you can think of, and three screens to play them on, including Bomberman on SNES
TWO ROOMS Grill | Bar
3-chōme-11-7 KitaaoyamaClassic expat bar
A tiny (14-seat) 2F bar specializing in craft beers from around Japan, with an ever-changing selection. The atmosphere is laid-back with mostly locals
地ビールバー まる麦
1 ArakichōA tiny (14-seat) 2F bar specializing in craft beers from around Japan, with an ever-changing selection. The atmosphere is laid-back with mostly locals
A quiet neighborhood spot with an impressive collection of jazz and soul music on vinyl, for your listening pleasure. There's a Y500 cover charge.
バー ディープ BAR DEEP
1-2 ArakichōA quiet neighborhood spot with an impressive collection of jazz and soul music on vinyl, for your listening pleasure. There's a Y500 cover charge.
It's like a party in a chemistry lab every night, where drinks are served in beakers and erlenmeyer flasks, food is heated on wire-mesh stands over alcohol lamps, and customers can wear white coats
7 locals recommend
Science Bar INCUBATOR
7 ArakichōIt's like a party in a chemistry lab every night, where drinks are served in beakers and erlenmeyer flasks, food is heated on wire-mesh stands over alcohol lamps, and customers can wear white coats
Nearly thirty well-chosen craft sake from relatively obscure small breweries are on offer at this cozy neighborhood drinking spot. Budget around Y3,000 for food and drink
日本酒BAR オール・ザット・ジャズ
9-22 ArakichōNearly thirty well-chosen craft sake from relatively obscure small breweries are on offer at this cozy neighborhood drinking spot. Budget around Y3,000 for food and drink
Great views from the bar, I like to catch the sunset here after an afternoon walk to the Meiji Shrine
88 locals recommend
Park Hyatt Tokyo
3-7 西新宿Great views from the bar, I like to catch the sunset here after an afternoon walk to the Meiji Shrine
Good spot for a drink after the Mori gallery. Reasonably priced food too
22 locals recommend
Rigoletto
6-chōme-10-1 RoppongiGood spot for a drink after the Mori gallery. Reasonably priced food too
Shopping
Prada Tokyo Aoyama
Cool building design at Prada's flagship building