Shinjuku is one of Japan’s most crowded and bustling neighborhoods. The train station in Shinjuku is known as the busiest train station in the world, in fact. Despite this the train station is fairly easy to navigate. Google or Apple Maps and the Suica Pass will be your best friends for getting around.
Things to do in Shinjuku
Omoide Yokocho
In Japanese a yokocho is an old tightly packed alleyway lined with small stands and bars. These areas are throwbacks to an old pastime in Japan where businessmen and workers would swing in for drinks and food on the way home. The bars are decorated with paper lanterns and other decor to match whatever season you are exploring the area. The bustling, tightly packed alley is always full of customers and the sweet smell of smoke billowing out from the grills of the many tiny yakitori stalls serving meat on skewers provides an incredibly unique atmosphere to wonder around.
Omoide Yokocho means Memory Lane, but this area is also colloquially referred to as Piss Alley. The funniest thing is that in Japan everything is so clean, even a place named “Piss Alley” looks clean enough to eat off the sidewalk.
The lane is within walking distance of Shinjuku Station and is super easy to find simply using Google or Apple Maps. The stalls are open from 5pm until midnight, most take only cash so come prepared for that.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
On a sunny day, make sure to check out Shinjuku National Garden. For the perfect retreat from the hectic buzz of Tokyo’s most bustling areas are these fabulously manicured French, English and Japanese Gardens. Especially gorgeous when the Spring Blossoms bloom in the Spring or during the Autumn season when the leaves change colors, there are numerous cafes and stands where you can enjoy a tea or even a matcha soft serve ice-cream. There is a 500 yen entrance fee and the park is open from 9am to 5:30pm. The entire park is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Enjoy the Free View from Atop the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
A short walk from the Keio Plaza Hotel, is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Day or night you can visit the building for free and take the elevator (South Tower to see Mount Fuji on a clear day or the North Tower to see skyscrapers and cityscape).
The viewing areas are open 9:30am to 10pm. The North Observatory is closed the second and fourth Monday of each month and the South Observatory is closed the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Golden Gai
Much like Memory Lane, Shinjuku’s Golden Gai is another of Tokyo’s favorite quaint narrow alleyways, this one known less for its yakitori restaurants and more for its tiny bars. Many bars have cover charges. Some cater almost exclusively to Japanese clientele. if you’re unsure which bars are best for you to check out, look for the ones with English signs. Most places will be relatively quiet until about 7-8pm and continue to serve into the early morning hours.
If you are a bit intimidated, there are small group tours that will stop at the Golden Gai, but we’d recommend just walking around and jumping into stalls that appear open and truly immersing yourself in the culture.
Live Lost in Translation in Real Life at the New York Bar at the Park Hyatt
If you’ve seen the movie Lost in Translation, you’ll be familiar the New York Bar where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansen’s characters first meet. The bar has incredible views of the city and live jazz every night starting at 6:30pm. It’s difficult to get into and involves a 2750 yen ($20) cover charge. The bar has some of the highest prices for drinks and food in town, but they’re still relatively reasonable compared to places like New York City. The bar is open 5pm to 11pm (midnight on weekends). Shorts, sandals and sportswear are not allowed. If you want to have an incredible high-end lunch experience, the restaurant right next to New York Bar, Kozue, has a fantastic lunch menu with unrivaled views of Tokyo and Mt Fuji.
Visit Tokyo’s Red Light District, Kabuki
Here you have a stunning array of neon lights, bars, girl bars and late night spots. The girl bars are an interesting cultural phenomenon. Lonely Japanese business men go to bars staffed almost exclusively with young women in ridiculous french maid costumes. They have drinks and pay per minute for the young women to talk to them. There is nothing sexual going on here, these aren’t brothels, it’s strictly respectful conversation. But, be aware that outside women are not permitted in these establishments. The owners of these bars don’t want anyone from outside coming in and giving away conversation for free.
One of Tokyo’s most famous sites can be found towards the back of Kabuki. See if you can spot the giant Godzilla peering out from behind the Shinjuku Grocery Hotel. If you are lucky you might even see it roar.
Visit Nishishinjuku
The area surrounding the train station is full of lights and shops, restaurants and bars. This area is a great place to explore and grab things to eat and drink.
Ride Go-Karts Through the Streets of Tokyo
We’ll go ahead and list this activity here although there are options to do these tours all over the city. We did ours around the marine, over rainbow bridge and into Minato City. This was probably the best area to do it for go-karting as there was minimal traffic, going over the bridge was cool and you had plenty of open road to enjoy the go-karts. Doing it in Shinjuku would have involved a bit more traffic, subsequently more stopping and starting, but much better photos. No matter where you choose to do this activity, you are sure to have an absolute blast. Pick a location that best fits into your schedule and don’t over think it. Just make sure that you definitely do this while you are in Tokyo.
Something you’ll need to know before you go though is that you must have one of three things in order to drive the carts on the road. You must have either a Japanese driver’s license, an international drivers license (you can get these at AAA prior to flying to Japan), or a combo of a US Military ID and a US Driver’s license. Make sure you email the go-kart company the documents you have before flying out so you make sure you have the right items before arriving for your experience.
Introduction to Sake Experience
Within walking distance of the train station is a fabulous sake bar where a delightful and fun sake sommelier will guide you through an introductory course and tasting of his fantastic and unique sakes. If you want a great introductory course in sake that is fun and un-intimidating that will leave you feeling confident the next time you go to order sake at a restaurant, I’d highly recommend you booking this Demystify Sake Tasting.
Enjoy a Private Karaoke Booth
Near the pulsing, bustling neon excitement of Kabukicho there are a handful of karaoke bars. There are many chains that cater to the Japanese’s love of karaoke, like Tetsujin, where you rent a private booth and enjoy food, drinks and all the karaoke you can handle. Most places charge a cover charge for one drink and then approximately 400-500 yen ($3-4) per person per 30 min to use the karaoke machines and microphones.
Visit the Samurai Museum
For a family friendly activity, you can visit the Samurai Museum (entry includes a guided tour and the opportunity to dress up in Samurai costumes for a fun photo opportunity).
Visit the Ninja Trick House
Another family friendly activity is the Ninja Trick House where you can learn about the life and experiences of Japanese Ninjas while also enjoying the hands on experiences as you try your skill at throwing stars (shurikens) and swordplay. The total experience lasts 30-45 min and costs around $25 for entry, with discounted rates for kids.
