Shinjuku Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Shinjuku which includes city views, a city and modern architecture
One of Tokyo's most famous wards has world-class shopping and entertainment options galore.

Few visitors to Tokyo don't pass through Shinjuku at some point during their stay, whether it's making their way through the world's busiest train station which sees 2 million passengers daily, or to make the most of its restaurants, bars and shops.

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's 23 wards and it has everything, from historic geisha houses, a high concentration of skyscrapers, a large expat population, a prestigious university, up-market residential neighbourhoods, a large gay community and too many small restaurants and bars to mention.

For a free birds-eye view of Tokyo's skyscrapers, head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. This building has two 202-metre high observation decks, which are open to the public from mid-morning to late at night. From the observation deck, you can't miss the striking Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower with its unusual oblong shape and crisscross-patterned exterior. The tower houses a fashion academy and two other schools. According to the architects Tange Associates, the design of the 50-level tower is meant to symbolise the nurturing of the students and transform them in order to compete in the Japanese workplace.

Shinjuku also has one of Tokyo's most pleasant parks, Shinjuku Gyoen. Considered one of the best places to see Japan's famed cherry blossoms, the park's 1,000 trees bloom from mid-March into April. The park is a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and is open from 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. (closed Mondays). There is a small admission charge.

When the sun sets, a good place to head for an evening out is Golden Gai, a small, atmospheric nightlife district with over 200 small bars and eateries. Most places are very small, seating only a few customers. If you don't speak a word of Japanese, look out for the bars and restaurants that have signs and menus in English posted outside.

Shinjuku is located in southwest Tokyo. Shunjuku station is a hub for multiple rail and subway lines.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Shinjuku Hotel Deals

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
3 out of 5
3-14-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is AU$156 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
AU$156
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,023 reviews)
"Good: Very clean, convenient and near Nishishinjuku Gochome Station (walking distance), amenities all provided, hot bath is a plus. Can improve: TV show selection very limited, all in japanese even under "foreign movies" category. TV max volume too soft to hear the actors speaking (since subtitles ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is AU$321 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
AU$321
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,292 reviews)
"Best area to stay in very lively. Close to mostly everything I always stay here when I come to Japan this is my 4th time staying here"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
3.5 out of 5
3-2-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is AU$167 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
AU$167
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 15 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,552 reviews)
very good
"very convenience access under pass to train station, restaurant and bar. room has wide space of two of us stay for 4 nights in good condition. housekeeping also good job to maintain room clean."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
4.5 out of 5
2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is AU$683 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$683
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 10 restaurants, and 5 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,212 reviews)
"Great hotel, will go back again!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
3 out of 5
1-chome-27-7 Takadanobaba, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is AU$247 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
AU$247
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (189 reviews)
A great little hotel in an excellent location
"We enjoyed our stay in this hotel. The room was small with one case on the luggage rack in the short corridor creating a very narrow passage in and out of the room and the other case at the foot of our bed. Self check in was easy as was the check out and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Our ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2024

SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
3 out of 5
2-31-12 Kabukicho, Shinju-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is AU$181 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
AU$181
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (378 reviews)
"Great place to stay!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Shinjuku

Shinjuku featuring a city

Kabukicho

Kabukicho is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Samurai Museum and Ninja Trick House In Tokyo, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tokyo.

Kabukicho
Shibuya showing central business district, street scenes and a city

Shibuya

5/5(173 area reviews)

Shibuya is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu Shrine. See more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Shibuya Station or Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station.

Shibuya
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Akasaka

4.5/5(84 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Tokyo Midtown and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Akasaka. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Nogizaka Station or Akasaka Station.

Akasaka
Roppongi which includes a city, street scenes and signage

Roppongi

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

Travellers choose Roppongi for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Roppongi Station or Roppongi-itchome Station and check out top sights like National Art Center, Tokyo.

Roppongi
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Chiyoda

4.5/5(206 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chiyoda. Nippon Budokan is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kudanshita Station or Takebashi Station to see more of Tokyo.

Chiyoda
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Ikebukuro

You might appreciate the shopping and restaurants in Ikebukuro, and if you're interested in seeing more of the area, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and The Sunshine 60 Observatory are just a few notable stops.

Ikebukuro


Shinjuku Travel Guide

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