Things to Do in Shinjuku: A Local Resident’s Guide

Tokyo’s busiest district, Shinjuku is the central hub where most of Tokyo’s train and bus lines meet. The area surrounding Shinjuku Station is a multitude of shops, department stores, and restaurants, where locals typically shop or dine out. Shinjuku is also home to Tokyo’s most popular drinking spots, making it one of the most exciting places to spend the night in Tokyo.

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Top Attractions & Places of Interests in Shinjuku

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen in Fall
Shinjuku Gyoen in fall

This vast park is among the best places to see cherry blossoms and autumn foliage in Tokyo. It has different areas to explore, including a traditional Japanese, a greenhouse, and Western gardens. The manicured lawns are also ideal for a picnic. You can spread out a mat and just lie there, basking in the sun and taking in the view of seasonal blooms.

Shinjuku Gyoen is also the location for the Makoto Shinkai animated feature film, The Garden of Words (Koto no Ha no Niwa).

Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku National Garden, 新宿御苑)
07:00-18:00
Admission Fee: JPY 500
Official Website
Google Maps

Hanazono Shrine

Hanazono Shrine
Main hall of Hanazono Shrine

Shinjuku’s most prominent shrine, Hanazono’s resident deity is Okami Inari, the deity of trade and worldly success. The shrine is also a beloved plum blossom and cherry blossom sightseeing spot.

Hanazono Shrine (Hanazono Jinja, 花園神社)
09:30 to 16:30
No admission fee
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Golden Gai
Golden Gai

Reportedly with over 200 bars, Shinjuku’s Golden Gai is ideal for bar-hopping and rubbing shoulders with locals. Each bar is cozy and can only fit a few people at a time. Some bars come with peculiar themes and kitschy decor; it’s almost like stumbling upon a gritty Wonderland.

Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街)
Most shops open from 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps

Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho aka Piss Alley
Omoide Yokocho

Known to English speakers as Piss Alley, Omoide Yokocho, like Golden Gai, is filled with small restaurants that can only pack a few people at a time. Unlike Golden Gai, however, Omoide Yokocho is more open to tourists, often with English menus available for use.

See also  Autumn Walks: Hibiya Park

Omoide Yokocho (思い出横丁)
Most shops open from 17:00
Official Website
Google Maps

Shinjuku Ni-chome

Shinjuku Nichome Club
A crossdressing bar in Nichome

Want to get in Tokyo’s LGBT scene? Head to Ni-chome for a fun time at Tokyo’s gay and lesbian bars. People are generally fun to hang out with, regardless of where you are on the gender spectrum.

Shinjuku Ni-chome (新宿2丁目)
Most shops open from 17:00
Google Maps

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

One of the best views of Shinjuku can be seen from the district’s skyscraper city hall, Tokyo Tocho or Tokyo Metropolitan. The best part of it is that it’s free!

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tōkyōto-chō, 東京都庁)
Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00
Official Website
Google Maps

8bit Cafe

For a novel dining experience, head to 8bit Cafe where you can find a collection of retro games. Consoles on display are free for customers to use. Some items on the menu are also game-themed.

8bit Cafe
18:00 to 24:00, closed on Tuesdays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps

Entertainment Spots for Groups & Families

Shinjuku Copabowl

Kick your bowling experience up a notch with blacklit lanes. This flamboyant bowling alley comprises the 3rd and 4th floors of Humax Pavillion. Regular lanes are also available if you prefer a more subdued atmosphere.

Shinjuku Copabowl (新宿コパボウル)
11:00 to 06:30 the next day
Official Website
Google Maps

Ninja Trick House

Live your ninja fantasy at the Ninja Trick House, where you can dress up like a ninja, throw ninja stars, as well as experience swordplay. Recommended for both adults and kids alike.

Ninja Trick House in Tokyo (手裏剣道場 新宿忍者からくり屋敷)
Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 to 15:00
Official Website
Google Maps

Recommended Cafes and Restaurants

Ramen Yamaguchi

Ramen Yamaguchi Special Chicken Soba
Special Chicken Soba

Located near Shinjuku Gyoen, Ramen Yamaguchi has consistently been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2015. Their tori soba or chicken soba is a crowd favorite.

Ramen Yamaguchi (らぁ麺やまぐち)
11:30 to 15:00, 17:30 to 21:00; closed on Mondays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps

Ain Soph Journey

Ain Soph Journey (Shinjuku) - Vegan pancakes
Vegan pancakes

Whether you’re vegan or not, you’ll enjoy Ain Soph’s delicious vegan dishes. The pancakes are an absolute must!

See also  Things to Do in Asakusa: A Local Resident's Travel Guide

Ain Soph.Journey Shinjuku
11:30 to 15:00
Official Website
Google Maps

Cafe Aaliya

Cafe Aaliya - French Toast
French toast with three toppings

This cozy restaurant specializes in French toast. For an affordable price, you can try it with various delicious toppings.

cafe AALIYA
10:00 to 22:00
Official Website
Google Maps

Odd Spots & Unique Locations

Taisoji

Enma Statue at Taisoji
The so-called baby-eating Enma statue at Taisoji

A seemingly quiet temple with a curious origin story, Taisoji is home to the baby-eating Enma statue.

Enma Statue at Taisoji

Related:
The Baby-Eating Enma Statue of Taisoji

Tasoji (太宗寺、たいそうじ)
No entrance fee
Website (Japanese Only)
Google Maps

Oiwa Inari Tamiya Shrine

Oiwa Inari Shrine
Sadako and Kayako’s so-called boss, Lady Oiwa, used to live in this area.

Before Sadako of the Ring and Kayako of the Grudge, there was Lady Oiwa. A model housewife and mother in her lifetime, Lady Oiwa was later portrayed as a vengeful ghost in the kabuki play Yotsuya Kaidan. This play has made such a profound impact that Japanese horror films still draw on this story today. The shrine celebrates the real Lady Oiwa, but pays homage to the fictional character as well.

Oiwa Inari Shrine Torii Gates

Related:

Oiwa Inari Shrine and the Big Bad Boss of Vengeful Female Ghosts

Oiwa Inari Tamiya Shrine (於岩稲荷田宮神社)
08:00 to 17:00
Google Maps

Inari Kio Shrine

Inari Kio
Not exactly Demon Slayer, but perhaps close enough.

The characters for Kio (鬼王) literally mean “Demon King,” and it is said that Inari Kio is the only shrine in Japan that worships such.

Handwashing Basin - Inari Kio

Related:
Inari Kio: A Shrine to the Demon King?

Inari Kio Shrine (Inari Kiō Jinja, 稲荷鬼王神社)
Official Website
Google Maps

Christon Cafe

Christon Cafe decor
A makeshift altar adorns the walls, except it’s not for worship.

A concept cafe that draws upon the Gothic aspects of Christianity, some may argue that Christon Cafe is borderline sacrilegious. Other than it’s just a regular restaurant, with an atmosphere that draws Goths and perhaps people with vampire fantasies.

Christon Cafe
12:00 to 23:30
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Shinjuku at night?

Shinjuku has plenty of bars, karaoke, and izakaya that cater to different kinds of social gatherings. Head to Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho for a more local experience, or to Ni-chome for an LGBT-friendly environment. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can also find host clubs and kyabakura in the area, but make sure you have plenty of cash to spare. There’s also an abundance of love hotels, which can be an entirely unique experience on their own.

See also  Things to Do in Shibuya: 2022 Travel Guide

Is it safe to go around Shinjuku at night?

Generally, yes. Japan’s crime rate is low and the streets of Tokyo are well lit. You may encounter pushy restaurant and karaoke staff who will try and get you to visit their establishment. You will also see quite a number of drunk people on Friday and Saturday nights, but these people tend to be close to passing out that they can hardly do harm to others. As long as you keep your wits about you, you’ll likely be alright. A little annoyed maybe, or even amused by the passed-out people sleeping on the streets, but more or less safe.

Is Shinjuku a red-light district?

Kabukicho is a known red-light district and it is part of Shinjuku. Otherwise, Shinjuku is just a sizeable ward with a lot of shopping, entertainment, and business centers, as well as a very populated residential area. Accounts that Shinjuku is a red-light district probably come from people who have only seen one part of the ward and have generalized it to represent a whole.

Is Shinjuku tourist-friendly?

For the most part, yes. Shinjuku is a popular destination for tourists and you will find staff who can accommodate non-Japanese-speaking guests. However, you will also find smaller pubs that have signs that say they do not welcome foreigners; these are a minority. Other than this, try to be alert and discerning when visiting Kabukicho. There’s a chance that establishments in the area are connected to underground organizations (see works of Robert Whiting and Jake Adelstein for more information on the subject), and there have been accounts of tourists being taken advantage of.

Where to Stay in Shinjuku

Booking.com
Mizhelle
Mizhellehttps://www.tokyopast3.com
Digital marketer by day, curator of curious stories by night. Originally from Manila, Philippines.

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