No visit to Tokyo is complete without digging into some of the best things to do in Shinjuku. In many ways, Shinjuku is Tokyo in a microcosm. All of the dynamism, weirdness, and even—it feels silly to say—the serenity of the capital of Japan is captured among these top tourist attractions in Shinjuku.
Not sure where to go in Shinjuku? Experience all the area has to offer with this guide to the best places to visit in Shinjuku…
Need more ideas for your trip Check out our guide to the best things to do in Tokyo!
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What to do in Shinjuku
Step back into the Tokyo of the fifties in Golden Gai
Following the Second World War, most of Tokyo was levelled in the name of development, and only a very small section survived. Golden Gai, a collection of narrow alleys, contains around two hundred pubs preserved from the sixties era and is one of the top points of interest in Shinjuku.
In it, you’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars & restaurants that seat between five and thirty patrons. Especially if it’s your first time in Tokyo, visiting Shinjuku Golden Gai is an absolute must!
Each bar has its own defined —and often quirky—style & culture that can include karaoke, specialty drinks, and extraordinary decor. Most bars charge seating costs and some will only host Japanese customers.
English price lists and menus on the walls outside the bars should give you a clue as to whether you’ll be welcomed or not.
Visit Shinjuku Pit Inn for the love of jazz
If you’re a lover of jazz, Shinjuku Pit Inn is one of the must-do activities in Shinjuku. Japan has a vibrant jazz music scene, and Pit Inn is one of the best places in Tokyo to see accomplished jazz musicians strut their stuff.
The bar is more than fifty years old and carries an old Jazz club ambience accentuated by posters and dimmed lights. Most visitors are serious jazz fans, so the show won’t be interrupted by idle chit-chat.
There’s a show every night at eight and the musicians will entertain you until about ten thirty. You’ll pay an entrance fee of three thousand yen, but it includes your first drink.
Check the website (in English) to see who’s playing.
Take a walk through Kabukicho
Kabukicho, also known as the “Sleepless Town,” is the largest red-light district in Japan. Walled by neon sign that reaches into the night skies, this pedestrian area teems with people and is among the most interesting things to see in Shinjuku.
Overlooked by a giant Godzilla head, Kabukicho is, like the monster itself, noisy and edgy; it’s filled with cinemas, shops (such as the massive 24-hour Don Quijote superstore), karaoke bars (like the famous Studio Himawari) and restaurants, and, of course, slightly less-than-family-friendly massage parlours, nightclubs, and love hotels.
Host and hostess clubs often charge a fee for the table; be prepared to spend before you’ve even had a drink or a bite to eat!
Both men and women risk being propositioned in Kabukicho. Take a friend if you can. Also, take precautions while in the area as some dodgy types are all too ready to quickly relieve you of your money.
Unfortunately, most places in Kabukicho don’t accept credit cards; carry cash as needed.
Visit Taiso-ji Temple, a small Buddhist temple full of little surprises
Built in 1596, the Buddhist Taisoji Temple is close to Shinjuku Station. This serene little temple, tucked away from many of the top tourist attractions in Shinjuku, is well worth a visit.
Taiso-ji overlooks a large copper statue of Jizo Monk Shogen. This tranquil seated statue is frequently mistaken as an image of Buddha.
Inside the temple are statues of Emma, the head of hell. He has large pincers for removing the tongues of liars. Alongside him stands the statue of a woman who removes the clothes of those passing over the river to hell. It’s said that your clothes carry the weight of your sin.
Wander around the grounds you’ll find that they are full of little marvels, including small shrines where people make wishes and offerings of thanks.
Pound back all the sake you can drink at the Kurand Sake Market
With more than one hundred sakes available, Kurand Sake Market offers a self-pour service where you can try as many different types of sake as you like. Become familiar with the many tastes and fragrances available.
You’ll pay around three thousand yen for the night, and you can bring your own food. It has a great atmosphere, with the guests milling around and getting to know one another. You’re bound to leave with at least one new friend by the end of the night.
Take a walk down memory lane at Omoide Yokocho
Once occupied by street vendors and black-market traders, Omoide Yokocho, also known as “Piss Alley” or “Memory Lane,” is now home to dozens of micro restaurants seating just five to ten diners and serving delicious street food. It’s no wonder it often sits near the top of many lists of what to do in Shinjuku.
Some of the restaurants allow smoking, some charge a cover charge, and some don’t like foreigners; walk around and decide where to eat before you sit down.
The area is authentic old Tokyo, and the narrow alleys are always teeming with people. Here you will delight in great food, sake, and ice-cold beers. Following the delicious smells should lead you to the tastiest grill.
Visit Omoide Yokocho at night to make the most of the atmosphere.
See warrior history on show at the Samurai Museum
For history buffs, the exciting exhibition of armour and weapons at the Samurai Museum is one of the most interesting places to go in Shinjuku. Entrance costs 1,800 yen, and if you time your visit carefully, you can watch the Samurai show as well.
The tour through the museum is led by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, who will lead you through the history of the Samurai warriors up until the death of the last one. After your tour you’ll be given the chance to dress up in period clothing and try out replicas of the weapons.
Watch a cabaret show in lights at Robot Restaurant (CLOSED)
Robot Restaurant features a cabaret show of flashing lights and colourfully dressed dancers joined on stage by dinosaurs, pandas, and, of course, enormous robots. This loud and colourful show is expensive, but it’s also good fun and tops many lists of what to see in Shinjuku.
There are afternoon shows where children are welcome, but bear in mind the restaurant’s location: It’s situated in the red-light district of Kabukicho.
Plan to arrive early. There’s a restaurant and refreshment area where you can eat and drink before the show. Your first drink is included in the cover charge.
NOTE: As of May 2023, the Robot Restaurant is permanently closed.
Take a break from the crowded streets at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
The Japanese love their gardens, and the country is full of beautifully manicured and wild & free gardens. Crowded Shinjuku is no exception. For just two hundred yen, you can escape the chaos and enjoy the serenity of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the largest parks in Tokyo and one of the places to see in Shinjuku.
Follow rambling paths that wander through expansive lawns and orchards of cherry trees. At Shinjuku Gyoen, you’ll find a Japanese landscape garden with ponds, bridges, and islands surrounded by pavilions and cropped shrubs and trees. There’s also an English landscape garden, a formal French garden, a greenhouse, an art gallery, and restaurants.
For an extra special visit, try to visit during Tokyo’s cherry blossom season, when the park is at its absolute finest.
Find a corner of tranquillity in the Shinto Hanazono Jinja (Shrine)
If you look carefully, you can find a little Shinto shrine Hanazono Jinja, in a corner of Shinjuku Central Park. It’s an island of tranquillity in the midst of the Tokyo crowds. Set amongst the tall buildings of the inner city, Hanazono Shrine is easy to miss in the hustle and bustle.
Hanazono means flower garden, and the shrine formed part of the Imperial Gardens when it was built in the 17th century. These days local businessmen pray to the deity for financial success.
On Sunday, weather permitting, you can shop at the very traditional flea market held in its grounds. If you time your visit carefully, you may attend one of the many colourful festivals celebrated here.
Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a 360º view of Tokyo
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is definitely one of coolest things frequently visited by tourists who use the opportunity to gaze over the city centre from the free observation decks. From this vantage point, you get 360-degree views of Tokyo. On a good day, you can see as far as Mount Fuji!
The observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are open until eleven at night. Admission is free.
Find three floors of international and Japanese restaurants at Takashimaya Times Square
Like any area in Tokyo, one of the most memorable things to do in Shinjuku is eating delicious food. If you’re looking for great cuisine, you’re spoiled for choice in Takashimaya Times Square. The complex has three floors dedicated to food, offering a huge array of restaurants, both international and Japanese.
Whatever your preference for Asian & Japanese cuisine, you’ll find it here. From dim sum on the 12th floor to sukiyaki on the fourteenth, your tastebuds will thank you for letting them explore here.
When you’re done with the food, head elsewhere in Takashimaya Times Square to wander through the shops and browse the world’s top fashion brands.
Where to stay in Shinjuku: The best hotels for sightseeing
If you’ve got the yen for it, Shinjuku is among the coolest areas to stay in Tokyo. Hotels in Shinjuku run a little more expensive than in other districts like Minato or Taito. For many travellers, however, it’s worth every penny to spend your nights here embracing Tokyo’s wilder side. Here are a few suggestions on where to stay in Shinjuku…
- Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho: A central yet surprisingly budget-friendly hotel located in the lively entertainment district of Kabukicho.
- Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: A delightful 4-star hotel that offers great value rooms in the heart of Shinjuku. JR Shinjuku Station is just 5 minutes away by foot.
- Park Hyatt Tokyo: Hands down one of the best luxury hotels in Tokyo. You might recognize this 5-star’s stunning good looks from the Woody Allen flick Lost in Translation. Splurge to affirm your star status and catch the swoon-worthy views from the rooms, all above the 42nd floor.
Final recommendations
Still debating what to do in Shinjuku? Here are a few last-minute suggestions:
- Love seeing Tokyo from above? Get in line to see one of the city’s best panoramas from the free observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building. Head there on a clear day to spot Mount Fuji in the distance.
- Interested in the Tokyo of the past? The traditional alleyways of Golden Gai and the scrappy Omoide Yokocho peek back to the Tokyo of yesteryear. Plop yourself down at one of the street-side restaurants to enjoy a little biiru and yakitori among an air of old Tokyo.
- Need to escape the buzz of Tokyo? Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the city’s best spots for clearing your head. Walk among beautiful gardens and pavilions to get some respite from the ever-present chaos of Shinjuku.
More attractions to explore in Shinjuku
- Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art: A small museum on the 42nd floor of the Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Headquarters Building originally dedicated to the work of Japanese painter Seiji Togo. The museum now also features works of European masters like Gauguin, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.
- Tokyo Opera City: A massive complex containing over 60 shops, two museums, and six theatres, including the Opera City Concert Hall. The building also hosts the 53rd-floor, 230-metre-high Sky Restaurant.
- Tokyo Fire Museum: A free museum dedicated to the history of fire-fighting in Tokyo dating back to the Edo Period. Although it sounds rather boring, the museum is quite interactive and a ton of fun for kids & families.
- 8bit cafe: A cool theme café that springs forth the legacy of ’80s video games for a sweet hit of nostalgia.
- Shin-Okubo: Tokyo’s bustling Korea Town, centred around Shin-Okubo Station. If you’ve got a craving for Korean food or need a little K-pop in your life, be sure to tag this interesting area onto your Shinjuku itinerary.
- Shinjuku Copa Bowl: A lively & colourful late-night bowling alley located just five minutes from JR Shinjuku Station.
- Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium: A stadium within Meiji Shrine that’s home to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, one of the city’s favourite teams playing one of Japan’s favourite sports. Catch a game to get a glimpse of the passion!
- Shinjuku Chuo Park: A relaxing green space that’s perfect for escaping the craziest bustle of the Shinjuku ward.
