Shinjuku Travel Guide

Tokyo
Shinjuku featuring modern architecture, city views and a skyscraper
This major ward of Tokyo offers a variety of opportunities, from skyline views to trendy restaurants, to its large, peaceful park. 

Shinjuku is one of 23 wards operating as separate cities within Tokyo prefecture. It has an eclectic composition including historic geisha houses, a prestigious university area, up-scale residential neighbourhoods, a large gay community, high expat population, and numerous small restaurants and bars.

Shinjuku is home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. This building has two observation decks at 663 feet (202 metres) with free admission and is open to the public from mid-morning to late night. There is also a visitor information centre on the second floor.

This is the area of Tokyo with the highest concentration of skyscrapers. Among these, the eye-catching Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower houses a fashion academy and two other schools. The 50-story building is distinctive in the busy skyline for its unusual oblong shape and crisscross-patterned exterior.

Shinjuku also has Tokyo’s busiest rail station with 2 million passengers daily and one of the major stops for long-distance buses.

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best parks in Tokyo to see cherry blossoms. With over 1,000 trees blooming at varying times, the season extends from mid-March into April. Visit this 144-acre (58-hectare) park for a peaceful afternoon amid the pink blossoms in front of Shinjuku’s skyscrapers.

While a hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) picnic might require someone staking out an area to place your blanket early in the day, you can easily have an impromptu lunch at less crowded times of the year. Pick up prepared foods from Takashimaya department store, just south of Shinjuku station. The park is a 10-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station and us open from mid-morning to late afternoon (except Mondays). There is a small admission fee.

Shinjuku is located in southwest Tokyo. Oedo subway line stops at Tochomae station in the government building. Shunjuku station is a hub for multiple rail and subway lines.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Shinjuku

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
3 out of 5
3-14-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is ฿3,062 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
฿3,062
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,027 reviews)
"Very quiet and convient place. Easy to walk to train stations, a few close places to eat. Two stops from Shinjuku station."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿5,961 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
฿5,961
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,288 reviews)
"High quality, clean, and convenient without breaking the bank. I always stay here."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
3.5 out of 5
3-2-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿3,504 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
฿3,504
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 15 restaurants and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,547 reviews)
"Will stay here again."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
4.5 out of 5
2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is ฿14,230 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
฿14,230
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 10 restaurants and 5 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,212 reviews)
"Great hotel, will go back again!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
3 out of 5
1-chome-27-7 Takadanobaba, Tokyo, Tokyo
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (188 reviews)
A great little hotel in an excellent location
"We enjoyed our stay in this hotel. The room was small with one case on the luggage rack in the short corridor creating a very narrow passage in and out of the room and the other case at the foot of our bed. Self check in was easy as was the check out and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Our ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

SOTETSU GRAND FRESA TAKADANOBABA
Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
3 out of 5
2-31-12 Kabukicho, Shinju-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is ฿3,559 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
฿3,559
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (378 reviews)
"Great place to stay!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Apa Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Shinjuku

Shinjuku featuring a city

Kabukicho

Kabukicho is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Samurai Museum and Ninja Trick House In Tokyo, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tokyo.

Kabukicho
Harajuku which includes a city and modern architecture

Harajuku

5/5(2 area reviews)

Harajuku is a destination travellers like for its shopping, and you might hop aboard the metro at Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station or Omote-sando Station to explore sights like Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Harajuku
Shibuya showing central business district, street scenes and a city

Shibuya

4.5/5(101 area reviews)

Shibuya is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu Shrine. See more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Shibuya Station or Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station.

Shibuya
Default Image

Akasaka

4.5/5(60 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Tokyo Midtown and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Akasaka. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Nogizaka Station or Akasaka Station.

Akasaka
Roppongi which includes a city, street scenes and signage

Roppongi

4/5(14 area reviews)

Travellers choose Roppongi for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Roppongi Station or Roppongi-itchome Station and check out top sights like National Art Center, Tokyo.

Roppongi
Default Image

Chiyoda

4.5/5(178 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chiyoda. Nippon Budokan is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kudanshita Station or Takebashi Station to see more of Tokyo.

Chiyoda


Shinjuku Travel Guide