Shinjuku City Travel Guide

City views from the west side

Arrive near opening at 9:30am for clear air and short lines at the elevators.

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  South Observation Deck, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1

  Free decks 202 meters up, a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's west exit.

Garden paths and a tea break

Bring cash for the small entry fee, and note the garden closes on Mondays.

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  Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

  Japanese, English, and French landscapes with a teahouse and wide lawns for resting.

Dinner in the lantern alleys

Counters seat six or so, so go early or split up if you are a larger group.

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  Omoide Yokochō

  A postwar alley of tiny grill counters beside Shinjuku Station, best for a slow dinner.

Views from the twin towers

The North Observatory opens at 9:30am and entry is free; bring ID for the security check.

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  Tokyo Metropolitan Government

  A 45th-floor observatory west of the station with clear-day sightlines toward Mount Fuji.

Green space beneath the skyscrapers

Grab a bento from a station basement food hall and eat on a bench by the waterfall.

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  Shinjuku Chuo Park

  A shaded park a short walk from the towers, good for a slow lunch and a rest.

Dinner in a narrow lane

Most counters seat six or fewer, so go before 6pm or expect a short wait.

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  Omoide Yokochō

  A postwar alley of grill and noodle stalls beside the station's west side.

A garden of three styles

Closed Mondays; the Shinjuku Gate is the closest entrance to the station.

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  Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

  A former imperial garden with Japanese, English, and French landscape sections.

Shrine grounds and a market weekend

An antique flea market fills the grounds on many Sundays, usually from morning to dusk.

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  Hanazono-jinja Shrine

  A vermilion shrine tucked behind Yasukuni-dori, quiet despite the busy blocks around it.

Neon and a bowl of ramen

Many ramen counters use ticket machines; some have English buttons or photo menus.

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  Kabukicho

  Shinjuku's bright entertainment quarter, dense with late-night noodle shops.

Woodblock prints up close

Small museum, so an hour is enough; exhibitions rotate every few weeks.

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  Samurai Museum

  An armor and history collection in Kabukicho with guided tours in English.

Theatre district stroll

The building's rooftop garden is open to the public and rarely crowded on weekdays.

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  Tokyu Kabukicho Tower

  A landmark tower with food halls, cinemas, and a public terrace above the street.

Six lanes of tiny shopfronts

Check the posted cover charge at the door before sitting down; cash is often preferred.

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  Shinjuku Golden-Gai

  A grid of two-story wooden buildings holding cafes and pocket-sized bars.

Skyline from the top floor

The observatories open mid-morning and the north tower is often the quieter of the two.

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  Tokyo Metropolitan Government

  Free 45th-floor observatories in Nishi-Shinjuku, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days.

Skyscraper lunch and a green pause

Restaurant floors here fill up by 12:30, so aim to sit down a little earlier.

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  Shinjuku Chuo Park

  A shaded park beneath the office towers, good for a slow break after the observatory.

Lantern-lit alley dinner

Most counters seat six or fewer, so split up if you are a larger group.

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  Omoide Yokochō

  A postwar alley of tiny grill counters beside the tracks, minutes from the west exit.

Three gardens in one

Buy the small entry ticket at Shinjuku Gate; the greenhouse is a good rainy-day backup.

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  Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

  Vast landscape garden with Japanese, English, and French sections a short walk from the station.

Basement food hall browsing

Head to the basement level first, then work upward if you want to keep shopping.

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  Isetan Shinjuku

  Landmark department store whose basement food floor is one of Tokyo's best for sweets.

Neon and a giant cat

The 3D cat billboard above Toho's building plays on a loop every few minutes.

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  Kabukicho

  Shinjuku's brightest entertainment quarter, with the Godzilla head and huge screens overhead.

Shrine in the city center

Check the calendar at the gate for weekend antique and flea markets in the courtyard.

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  Hanazono-jinja Shrine

  Centuries-old Shinto shrine framed by office towers, a quiet stop off Yasukuni-dori.

Ramen at a standing counter

Order from the ticket machine by the door before taking a seat.

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  Fuunji Shinjuku

  Beloved tsukemen shop near the south exit, known for a rich dipping broth.

Six lanes of tiny bars

Many venues charge a small seating fee, and some are cash only, so ask at the door.

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  Shinjuku Golden-Gai

  A grid of narrow alleys with several hundred miniature bars, each with its own theme.

Stone lanes and hidden alleys

Start at the bottom of the main slope and wander into the side alleys as you climb.

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  Kagurazaka

  A former geisha quarter of cobbled lanes and small bakeries, one stop from Shinjuku.

Temple grounds at the top of the hill

The main hall and courtyard are compact, so half an hour is usually enough.

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  Zenkoku-ji Temple

  Bishamonten temple at the heart of Kagurazaka, guarded by a pair of stone tigers.

Dinner beside the old moat

Reserve ahead for terrace tables along the water, especially on weekends.

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  Kagurazaka Saryō Main Branch

  Modern tea house near the slope serving matcha desserts and set meals in tatami rooms.

Rooftop garden above the station

Take the escalators to the sixth floor for the lawn and the bridge over the tracks.

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  NEWoMan

  Station-side complex with a terraced rooftop and bakeries above the bus terminal.

Photography over three floors

Exhibitions rotate often, so check the current shows before you buy a ticket.

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  Tokyo Photographic Art Museum

  Short train ride from Shinjuku, with Japanese and international photography exhibitions.

Last look over the city

Arrive before sunset to watch the towers light up from the upper walkway.

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  Shinjuku Southern Terrace

  Elevated promenade south of the station, lined with trees and lit up after dark.