Best Things to Do in Shinjuku: Tokyo’s Buzzing, Neon-lit District
Last Updated on 23rd February 2025 by Sophie Nadeau
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Busy, bustling and buzzing! Shinjuku is home to the busiest train station in the world, as well as some of Tokyo’s tallest skyscrapers. Neon-lit, crowded and vibrant, this lively pocket of Japan’s capital is also home to a tranquil historic Shinto shrine and one the largest parks in Tokyo. Here’s your ultimate guide on the best things to do in Shinjuku, as well as top tips to know before you go!
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Where is Shinjuku?
Shinjuku, 新宿, is a city on central Tokyo’s western edge. It is one of the 23 special wards that make up the core and the most populous part of Japan’s capital city. It is considered to be Tokyo’s busiest district and has an estimated population of just over 345,000 people.
What is Shinjuku known for?
Most famously known for its railway station, Shinjuku Station, which is the busiest train station in the world by passenger use.
Shinjuku City is a major commercial and administrative centre and hub of popular culture. The district is buzzing! Aglow with neon-lit clubs, bars, restaurants and the red light district, Kabukicho. Shinjuku is also home to a cluster of skyscrapers, Nishi-Shinjuku, which are some of the tallest in all of Tokyo.
Best things to do in Shinjuku
See the busiest station in the world
Most likely the first area of Shinjuku that you’ll see is also the most chaotic! Arriving at Shinjuku Station can be quite overwhelming, which makes complete sense as this is the busiest railway station in the world.
Shinjuku Station is a cluster of five different stations and has over 200 exits and 51 platforms. The station sees an estimated 3.6 million passengers pass through each day, all crisscrossing in different directions, making this major transport hub by far the busiest place on earth to commute!
Go shopping
There are three main areas to go shopping in Shinjuku: the West Exit is home to major department stores, in the south are the trendier boutique stores, and Shinjuku-dori Street boasts of higher-end luxury brands. Here are some top suggestions of where to visit:
- LUMINE EST
- LUMINE 1
- LUMINE 2
- LUMINE 3
- UNIQLO
Omoide Yokocho, 新宿西口 思い出横丁
Yokocho is the Japanese for “alleyway”, but the meaning has grown to be more commonly known as atmospheric narrow alleyways, which are typically crammed with izakayas (casual drinking establishments) and cheap eateries.
Found at the West Exit of the station is a street which offers an experience of old-world charm. Omoide Yokocho translates as ‘Memory Lane’, and memorable it is! Walking down, the air is filled with the scent of mouthwatering grilled delights. Today, the street is particularly popular with local business workers who can come and grab a quick bite to eat or drink during or after their working day.
This nostalgic (and has to be said, slightly dingy) street has quite the history. Once home to a black market in the 1940s, post-war, the street then became popular for its cheap food and abundance of pubs/bars. Gaining a reputation for its lack of toilets, Omoide Yokocho is known locally as “piss alley”, where it wasn’t uncommon to see local drinkers take a leak in the street.
The best time to visit Omoide Yokocho is at night when all the establishments are open and the street is illuminated by a neon glow from the lamps and signs above. When we visited, the street was very narrow at some points, fitting only two people side by side.
A rush to the senses in sight, sound and smell, it’s a very cool street to visit and the perfect place to grab a quick yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) and refreshing glass of cold beer!
Golden Gai, ゴールデン街
Similar to Omoide Yokocho, but certainly more expensive and more focused on izakayas rather than eateries, is another atmospheric street named, Golden Gai.
Compact and dense, the buildings built next to one another are so close they are practically touching. Golden Gai consists of six narrow alleyways, all connected by even narrower lanes. Lined with izakayas, this tucked-away spot is a great spot to drink, find entertainment and enjoy a vibrant buzz of nightlife.
This historical alleyway is of great architectural importance and provides insight into old Tokyo. Today, most of the surrounding areas have been redeveloped, so walking down the narrow stretch of Golden Gai feels as though stepping back in time.
Again, it’s best visited at night as this dark corner lights up with colour and most establishments only open in the evening.
Cat Board
If you love cats, then this is an absolute must-see attraction! Found opposite Shinjuku Station’s East Exit is a giant furry friend in the form of a 3D digital billboard. Here, you can see a larger-than-life cat who watches passers-by, drowsily falls into naps (of course) and makes cute meowing noises all day.
First installed in 2021, the billboard was first introduced to display the impressive 3D technology in 4K quality. The curved screen allows for more depth, and presents viewers with jaw-dropping effects. Since its installation, the Cat Board (which was never given a name, hence the literal) has gone viral on social media. There’s even a café aptly named the 3D Cat Café, which can be found directly below.
Stop by for a few minutes to take in this remarkable digital technology! However, because of its popularity it’s prime location for businesses to advertise, meaning the feline display is interrupted by adverts frequently.
Godzilla Head (spy on the side of the Gracery Hotel)
Tokyo was once reduced to a pile of rubble and a sea of flames after the famous pop culture icon, Godzilla, rampaged through the city. Today, visitors can catch a glimpse of the monster’s head for themselves at the top of the Toho building, now known as the Gracery Hotel.
Godzilla is one of the most recognisable symbols of Japanese popular culture and is said to have drawn inspiration from the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in 1945.
The Godzilla franchise was created by Toho Studios in Japan in 1954. Today, there are a total of 38 films, 33 of which were created by Toho Studios. The ‘King of the Monsters’ takes its name from a combination of two Japanese words, “gorira” (gorilla) and “kujira” (whale)…the ultimate destructive combination!
Based on the appearance of Godzilla in the 1992 film, Godzilla vs. Mothra, the imposing statue was unveiled in 2015 and weighs a remarkable 80 tonnes!
The sculpture is situated on the 8th floor, but it’s only possible to see up close if you are either a guest at the hotel or a customer at its café. That being said, it’s also possible to see Godzilla when walking past the building, just be sure to look up.
Shinjuku Gyoen, 新宿御苑
One of Tokyo’s largest and most popular parks is Shinjuku Gyoen, a grassy expanse of green lawns, exotic flowers, large ponds and meandering paths that wind around the cherry trees. Offering a quiet escape from the noise of the city, this is the idyllic spot to immerse yourself in nature!
The park is comprised of three different styles: Japanese, English and French landscape gardens. There are also huge greenhouses brimming with subtropical plants, and ponds with quaint bridges where people can walk across.
Shinjuku Gyoen changes colour with each season and is particularly beautiful in autumn and during the Sakura season, where it is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms. Please note that you have to pay to visit the gardens, but the vast size of the park, as well as its sheer beauty more than merits the nominal entry fee!
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 東京都庁
Colloquially referred to as Tochō for short, as the name suggests, this building is the seat of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs all of Tokyo Metropolis.
Completed in 1990 (at the small cost of 157 billion yen of public money…) The complex consists of three structures, each taking an entire city block. The tallest building is 48 stories, while the other two skyscrapers stand 37 stories and eight-story high.
Tochō is most popular among tourists for its two free observation decks. Offering captivating panoramic views overlooking Tokyo City and beyond! Open daily from 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM, each observatory deck has both a café and a souvenir shop.
Hanazono Shrine, 花園神社
This large ancient Shinto shrine is nestled between skyscrapers in the heart of Shinjuku and is considered one of the most important in the district. Hanazono translates as “flower garden” and takes its name from the land which once was overgrown by an abundance of colourful flowers.
Founded in the mid-17th century, the shrine is dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the kami of fertility and worldly success (which makes it a pretty popular spot for businessmen to visit and pray at).
Home to several traditional festivals throughout the year, the shrine offers quite a different and tranquil setting to that which surrounds it. Hanazono Shrine is located just a stone’s throw away from the entertainment district, Kabukicho.
Kabukicho, 歌舞伎町
Shinjuku’s entertainment district is best known for its adult-oriented nightlife. A vibrant pocket of neon lights, smoky streets and a high concentration of hostess clubs, Kabukicho is often referred to as the “sleepless town”.
Upon visiting, you won’t believe that the land on which Kabukicho sits was once a swamp and former duck sanctuary. Today, this pocket of the district comes to life at night. Glowing with neon lights, Kabukicho is considered a red-light district and is home to lots of pachinko parlours.
Food Hall Blast!
Whether you’re looking for vegan ramen, vegetarian burritos, or everything in between. Almost all of the dishes served at this lively food court are vegetarian/vegan-friendly (which, in Japan, is much harder to come by as most dishes contain meat or fish).
Food Hall Blast! is a multi-restaurant dining experience, unique in that it offers diners a spacious spot to eat. The food court is open daily from 9 AM – 11 PM and is located near the station.
Where to stay
Staying in the Shinjuku district is the perfect spot to enjoy the vibrant nightlife and the shopping culture, with a variety of shops on your doorstep. Also (thanks to the railway station being the biggest in the world) the transport links to other destinations are excellent! Here are some top suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):
FLOWER TERRACE Higashi Shinjuku – Located a 6-minute walk from Golden Gai and a 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. With amenities such as free WiFi and a balcony with city views, this hotel offers a comfortable stay and a great location. Check prices and availability here.
Rosenheim Tokyo Shinjuku Okubo – Nearby to several eateries and bars. The hotel offers free WiFi, an airport shuttle service, and a microwave is provided in each room. There’s also a terrace where guests can sit and relax. Check prices and availability here.
Watch the full Shinjuku travel guide
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