A narrow alley of small izakaya in Shinjuku at night, with artificial cherry blossom overhead and stacked beer crates

The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku against a blue sky, autumn leaves in front

A narrow night alley under rows of red and white paper lanterns, with a few walkers far down the lane

A Shinjuku street at ground level, shopfront signage down both sides and the twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building closing the far end.

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Shinjuku: Where to Eat, What to Do and Where to Stay

Food · Things to do · Where to stay

Shinjuku's food sits in four zones around the station: the east side (Kabukicho and Golden Gai) for late-night places, the west exit with Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku-sanchome and the east exit with the department-store food hall, and Takashimaya's 35-restaurant floors on the south side.

Everything on the sights list is within about 10 minutes on foot of a Shinjuku station, including Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500, closed Mondays) and the free observatories on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. For a hotel, the choice is the side of the station: the West Shinjuku towers, the south side by the South Exit and Busta Shinjuku bus terminal, or Kabukicho and the east.

Shinjuku: food, things to do, where to stay

Where to eat in ShinjukuTempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi, Main Store Annex · Manna, Shinjuku Nakamuraya · Takano Fruit Parlour, Shinjuku Takano main store
Things to do in ShinjukuShinjuku Gyoen National Garden · Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories · Omoide Yokocho
Where to stay in ShinjukuKeio Plaza Hotel Tokyo · Hilton Tokyo · Park Hyatt Tokyo

In depth

TravelWhere to Stay in Tokyo: Five Areas Ranked on Lines and Last Trains
Most guides name seven or nine Tokyo areas and rule out none of them. This one ranks five on the lines you will actually use and on what the last train really does — and names four areas it will not recommend, with reasons.
August 31, 2026
TravelSkyliner or Narita Express? The Four Conditions That Decide Your Ride from Narita
Keisei's Skyliner or JR's Narita Express (N'EX), or neither: four conditions in the order they decide it. The pass you already hold, the station your hotel is on, the hour you land, and the fare for your party.
September 25, 2026