Neighbourhood in Shinjuku
Shinjuku
新宿
Tokyo's busiest hub: neon-lit Kabukicho and Golden Gai to the east, skyscrapers and free city views to the west, and a huge garden to the south.
- places to see
- 4
- walk past the highlights
- 2.9 km
- Tokyo
- Shinjuku
Shinjuku grew around Shinjuku Station, the busiest railway station in the world, and is two places in one. East of the tracks are department stores, Kabukicho's bars and restaurants and the tiny bars of Golden Gai. West are the office towers of Nishi-Shinjuku and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, with free views over the city.
The name comes from Naito-Shinjuku, a post town on the old road out of Edo, and the land of the Naito family's mansion is now Shinjuku Gyoen, a calm garden ten minutes' walk south-east. More of the ward is in our Shinjuku guide.
Don't miss in Shinjuku
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Shinjuku Gyoen
新宿御苑Big landscaped garden with French, English and Japanese sections. One of Tokyo's best cherry blossom spots.
2. Hanazono Shrine
花園神社Shrine on the edge of Kabukicho, calm by day, with a weekend flea market.
3. Shinjuku Golden Gai
新宿ゴールデン街A few lanes of tiny bars, some with only five or six seats. Best after 9 pm.
4. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
東京都庁舎City hall towers with free observation decks on the 45th floor, a 10-minute walk west of the station.
Walk Shinjuku in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 2.9 km in all.
Stop 1
Shinjuku Gyoen
Start here
Stop 2
Hanazono Shrine
15 min walk
Stop 3
Shinjuku Golden Gai
1 min walk
Stop 4
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
22 min walk
Shinjuku on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
Is Shinjuku safe at night?
Yes for walking and eating. The main risk in Kabukicho is touts who lead people to overpriced bars, so only go into places you chose yourself.
Where can I see Tokyo from above for free?
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has free observation decks on the 45th floor of its towers, a short walk west of Shinjuku Station.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
More areas in Tokyo
- KagurazakaA sloping street from Iidabashi with stone-paved back lanes from its geisha days, old shrines and Tokyo's biggest cluster of French bakeries and bistros.
- HarajukuTokyo's youth fashion district between Harajuku Station and Omotesando, next to the forest of Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park.
- ShibuyaHome of the world's busiest pedestrian crossing and the Hachiko statue, with new towers, rooftop views and a park on top of a mall.
- RoppongiCentral Tokyo district known for nightlife, embassies and the art museums of Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center.
- IkebukuroBusy commercial hub of northern Tokyo around one of Japan's busiest stations, with Sunshine City, big department stores and anime shops.
- ShimokitazawaTokyo's favourite neighbourhood for vintage clothes, records, small theatres and live music, a short train ride from Shibuya or Shinjuku.
- EbisuRelaxed district one stop from Shibuya, built around an old beer brewery, with lots of restaurants, izakaya and bars.
- MarunouchiThe business district between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, with the red-brick station, palace gardens and a tree-lined street of shops.
