Shinjuku, the district in Tokyo that keeps its heart beating even when the sun goes down! Brimming with vibrant nightlife at Kabukicho or food neon-lit alley of Omoide Yokocho. Shinjuku transforms into a playground for the nocturnal. With it’s bustling izakaya and yakitory bars, shopping streets. Explore our Shinjuku Travel guide to experiencing the best of Shinjuku, Tokyo.
IS SHINJUKU SAFE AT NIGHT?
Shinjuku is generally considered safe at night. Even the well-known Kabukicho red light district is a popular attraction among tourists. However exercise standard precautions and stay aware of your surroundings and belongings like you would in any city.
Shinjuku is the best district to stay in Tokyo for first timers! See popular Hotels.
HOW TO GET TO SHINJUKU?
To get to Shinjuku you must get to Shinjuku station. You get there though the Tokyo Metro -Marunouchi line, Toei subway Shinjuku line, or the JR East train. You’ll need a Japan transit card like SUICA or PASMO to ride the trains in Japan or a Tokyo subway ticket (24|48|72 hr). You can get a physical SUICA card at klook.com. I purchased my SUICA Card and JR pass with KLOOK.COM
Shinjuku Station is considered the world busiest train station due to record breaking number of daily passengers!
THINGS TO DO IN SHINJUKU
1. KABUKICHO RED LIGHT DISTRICT
As the sun dips the heart of Shinjuku, Kabukicho Red Light District, awakens. From the intriguing buzz of Golden Gai’s hidden alleyways to the tantalizing allure of Robot Restaurant, Kabukicho serves up a slice of Tokyo nocturnal life that’s unapologetically bold— trust me, you wouldn’t want to miss it for the world!
2. LIVE MUSIC & SHOPPING AT SHINJUKU STATION
As you exit the train station, you may be pleasantly surprised to find indie artists performing right outside! Perfect to get into the Shinjuku vibe and see Tokyo local artists live. You’ll even see some pretty cool fashion and indie talent! Shinjuku stations is one of the biggest station in Tokyo and you’ll find brad stores inside the train station!
3. OMOIDE YOKOCHO
It’s dinner time and If you’re a foodie like me, then you must visit Omoide Yokocho. This narrow alleyway is packed with tiny eateries serving yakitori, ramen, and everything in between. You’ll see the locals coming out from work to enjoy late night snacks and drinks in Omoide Yokocho alley!
Tip: Shinjuku has amazing restaurants open 24 hrs so it’s amazing for a night food tour with a group to try different Japanese foods and cold beers!
4. TECH AREAR NISHI SHINJUKU
Nishi Shinjuku, also known as west Shinjuku is a tech area with all things technology stores for tech shopping! There’s a massive Yodobashi camera store, which is a must-visit for any tech enthusiast! I got my DSLR camera at Yodobashi Camera!
5. TAKE A PEEK AT GODZILLA IN SHINJUKU
