Reaching Shinjuku is easy-peasy once you know which route to take.

What overwhelms most travelers isn’t the journey to Shinjuku, it’s what happens after they arrive. Shinjuku Station has more exits than some small towns, and each one leads somewhere completely different. So allow us to help you find the right one for your destination.

Shinjuku Station's exits all open into different worlds, so getting your bearings here makes a huge difference and saves you tons of time. And, the good news is that once you know which exit to take, the spider web starts to make sense.

(Note: All walking times are estimated from the nearest station exit to each spot, not between locations.)

East/Central East:
The most electric side of Shinjuku. You’ll walk directly into the neon Kabukicho area, welcomed by the Kabukicho gate (Exit 8 in Subnade; 6-8 minutes from the platforms), and you’ll be surrounded by arcades, bars, the famous Godzilla Head, and the Kabukicho Tower entertainment complex. The 3D cat billboard at Cross Shinjuku Vision (Exit B13) is about a 3-5-minute walk, and the massive BicCamera (Exit A7) is around 5-7 minutes away.

West/Central West:
This is Shinjuku’s skyline zone. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and its free observation decks are about 12-15 minutes from the station, while the uber photogenic Omoide Yokocho ('Memory Lane') (Exit D1) is only 2-4 minutes away. If you’re into cameras or gadgets, Yodobashi’s cluster of shops is within a 5-8-minute walk of the West Exit.

South/Southeast:
NEWoMan’s food hall and the Shinjuku Bus Terminal (Busta) are right outside (0-3 minutes), and the walk to Shinjuku Gyoen takes about 10-15 minutes from this side.

Shinjuku’s western side is where two versions of Tokyo collide. Morning commuters in perfect suits beeline to work, their reflections flashing across the glass towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: a must-visit in winter for free views of Tokyo sprawling endlessly.
Beneath all that order and structure lies Omoide Yokocho, unchanged for decades. Come evening, its tiny lanes fill with chitchat, kampai toasts, and the smell of chicken fat rising from yakitori grills.

With its patchwork of green, the nearby Shinjuku Central Park brings calm to the noise. Office workers linger around the park over lunch, and residents walk their dogs beneath the shade of dense trees. Farther west, Shinjuku’s own Electric Town mirrors the energy of Akihabara. Streets overflow with camera and electronics shops stacked floor after floor with gadgets and vintage gear. BicCamera and Yodobashi’s maze of stores pull in night shoppers and tech lovers long after dark.

There’s grit, there’s polish, and exquisite shopping— all under the same streetlights. The perfect trio, if you ask us.

General Tip: Omoide Yokocho’s chairs are small and space is limited, so travel light and eat early. Save the shopping spree for after.

The postcard-perfect Tokyo you daydreamed about on your flight over waits right outside Shinjuku’s East Exit in the shitamachi area. It’s a rush of red neon, flashing billboards, and the Kabukicho gate glowing like Tokyo’s own bat signal for a night out.

By day, people flock to arcades and cafés, but after twilight, the whole district transforms into something cinematic. Music leaks from doors, bar signs flicker everywhere you look, and crowds snake through the alleys like extras in a never-ending film scene.

Start near Hotel Gracery, and look up at the Godzilla Head peering from the rooftop, letting out its trademark roar every hour between noon and 8 PM. It’s free, it’s theatrical, and it’s a bucket-list activity for anyone with even the faintest love of Japan’s most famous kaiju.

A short jaunt takes you to Golden Gai. Six narrow lanes squeeze in nearly 200 bars, each holding barely a handful of people. Some have jazz playing; others drone with patrons nursing their fourth whisky and swapping stories. Look for Deathmatch in Hell, The Open Book, and Albatross. Arrive before 8 PM if you want a seat, because the regulars have their chosen spots.

On the main street, the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is basically a vertical playground and the area is also home to Samurai Restaurant, a riot of drums and lasers that fits the neighborhood’s energy.

End your night at Thermae-Yu nearby for a hot soak and reset.

Etiquette & Safety: Like most of Tokyo, Kabukicho is generally safe, but it pays to stay alert. Don’t engage with touts and do not follow anyone into unfamiliar bars or venues. Many small bars charge a cover (around 500–1,500 yen) and prefer cash, so ask before you sit down. Taking photos inside is often discouraged unless you get permission first.

Practical Tip: Use the East Exit to reach Kabukicho and Golden Gai. Many bars here are cash-only, so it’s worth keeping some yen on hand before you head out. If you’re planning to bar-hop in Golden Gai, go early in the evening when it’s quieter and the bartenders have time to chat.

The South Exit leads to a more subdued side of Shinjuku. Concourses open up to wide stroller-friendly walkways, and you can finally move without bumping into anyone. It’s one of the most family-friendly parts of the district, with open decks, terraces, and plenty of casual spots to eat or rest between train rides or shopping sprees.

For coffee and small bites, go to NEWoMan Food Hall, open from morning to late evening. Across the street, Takashimaya Times Square connects to Hands, a multi-floor store selling gorgeous Japanese stationery, toys, travel tools, and lovely souvenirs that make for perfect gifts.

There’s also Don Quijote Shinjuku Tonanguchi (facing JR Shinjuku South East Exit), its addictive jingle beckoning you back into the madness, with aisles packed with snacks, skincare, souvenirs, and more. (Live Japan offers a special Don Quijote discount coupon here.)

Practical Tip: Use the South or Southeast Exit for direct access. Lockers are easy to find throughout the concourse, and many Shinjuku hotels offer same-day luggage delivery so you can explore hands-free.

Tear away from the neon and relish the softer side of the city in the Shinjuku-sanchome area. Billboards fade into lush trees, ancient shrines seemingly pop up between clusters of streets, and sights of couples walking home, office workers on smoke breaks, give it a dreamy filter straight out of an anime scene.

You’ll find ramen joints squeezed between old bars, eateries proudly showing off their Michelin stickers, and retro cafés with 80s aesthetics.

At the edge of the district, Shinjuku Gyoen spreads out like an escape hatch from the city’s noise. It’s well worth the small entry fee to stretch out on the grass. Cherry blossoms take over in spring, the leaves burn red in November, and the lawns always invite slow, lazy afternoons.

Visiting in November? Check out the free-to-visit Hanazono Shrine, bright with its Inari torii path, fox statues, and the soft hum of prayer bells. During the Tori-no-Ichi festival, the paths glow with lanterns and rows of market stalls selling charms for luck.

General Tip: One of the best local traditions to mimic is "the depachika picnic." Pick up beautifully packed bento, pastry, or fruit sandwiches from the basement food halls of Isetan or Takashimaya, and unwrap them on the lawns of Shinjuku Gyoen.

Shinjuku is packed with ramen shops all claiming to serve the best bowl in town. Locals even call it a “ramen battlefield,” as every few steps reveal another steamy counter or ticket machine queue. Whichever place you pick, chances are you won’t be disappointed. For a standout experience, head to Ramen Hayashida or Fuunji near the South Exit. If you’re looking for something unique, try Gyumon Kabukicho (Halal Wagyu Ramen). Afuri also has branches at Shinjuku Lumine and Subnade, offering vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Visit in the mid-afternoon, around 3 to 5 PM, when the crowds thin out and you can enjoy your ramen at a relaxed pace.

Let your nose guide you to the best joint in Omoide Yokocho, where smoke, beer, and grilled chicken fat curl through the narrow streets of Shinjuku’s old memory lane. Grab whatever seat is available and order negima (chicken and scallion) or tsukune (meatballs) yakitori. The sticky counters, the grill’s fired up, and the salarymen next to you already on their fourth beer, make this a culturally immersive experience. Your jacket will smell like smoke for the rest of the night, making you hungry for more yakitori.

Karaoke is a big deal in Japan, and Big Echo is the place to plunge into its rhythms. Rent a room, shut the door, and sing like nobody’s listening. Most name chains have huge English song collections and serve snacks and drinks, so you can stay holed up for hours without stepping outside. Go during the day for half-price rates and fewer eardrum-shattering neighbors.

Tokyo’s department store basements are a world of their own, and Isetan and Takashimaya have two of the best. You’ll find row after row of perfectly packed boxed lunches, fried snacks, and sinful desserts you’ll want to buy just to photograph. Locals call this basement paradise a depachika, and turning it into a park picnic at Shinjuku Gyoen is a Tokyo tradition.

A cluster of six lantern-lit alleys lined with almost 200 micro bars. Order one drink at each, then hop to the next! Be polite and respect the ‘locals only’ signs, and check the cover charge in advance to avoid surprises.

Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district, Shinjuku-Nichome, near Shinjuku Sanchome, warmly welcomes everyone. Pop into a few bars, read the door signs for cover details, and don’t overthink it. Nichome is one of the easiest places in the city to feel at home, and strangers rarely stay strangers for long.

Arcades, cinemas, pachinko parlours, and claw machines sit side by side with cocktail bars, all under the watch of the Godzilla Head above. Then there’s Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, packed with even more food, games, and late-night haunts. It's the perfect place to end the night when you’re not quite ready to go home.

Clubbing in Shinjuku centers around the buzzing Kabukicho district, where venues like T2 Shinjuku, Atom Tokyo, Tide Tokyo, and Warp Shinjuku keep the party going late into the night. Each club offers its own vibe, from high-energy EDM floors to hip-hop lounges and futuristic lighting setups that rival those in Shibuya or Roppongi.

For a more intimate experience, music lovers should head toward the Shinjuku Sanchome area. Hidden among narrow backstreets are many small bars spinning everything from soul and funk to indie and rock. Top local favorites include Music Fashion Bar RUN, Bar rpm, Soul Stream, Reggae & Dub Club OPEN, Disco Devil, and DJ Bar Bridge.

Tokyo's trend-setting department store has a cult-level following. Its basement depachika is pure temptation, and the rooftop I-Garden is perfect for a quiet breather between sprees.

Directly connected to Shinjuku Station, this complex brings together curated fashion, great dining, and design stores in one sleek space. Expect independent labels and cafés that look as good as the food tastes.

A one-stop shop for electronics, cameras, and quirky souvenirs.

A multi-floor paradise for stationery lovers. Come for sketchbooks and pens, leave with gifts that barely weigh anything but are unmistakably Tokyo-coded.

Opened in 1971 as one of Tokyo’s first skyscraper hotels, Keio Plaza near Shinjuku’s West Exit remains one of the area’s largest stays. There’s over a thousand rooms, multiple restaurants, and direct airport bus connections. The hotel’s classic design is a mix of business hotel and luxury, with the upper floors opening up to sweeping views of Tokyo and even Mount Fuji on clear days.

Hard to miss, thanks to the Godzilla bursting from the roof, Hotel Gracery has a new GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDRAH ROOM on the 30th floor, worth snagging for Godzilla fans.

A hostel-library hybrid where you literally sleep between bookshelves, Book & Bed Shinjuku is affordable, design-focused, and instagrammable. Traveling solo and love books? Reserve your stay at Book & Bed Shinjuku.

Immortalized by Lost in Translation, Park Hyatt Tokyo link remains the ultimate Shinjuku address. It’s currently under renovation, with reopening expected on December 9, 2025. When it returns, so will its signature mix of luxury, impeccable customer service, and sky-high views.

If you’ve only got a day in Shinjuku, this route takes you from scenic gardens to neon streets without missing any highlights.

Begin at Shinjuku Gyoen, and breathe in fresh air while people-watching. Shutterbugs, plan to arrive when the garden opens to take pictures without the crowds, then grab coffee or a light breakfast from NEWoMan or the Takashimaya depachika nearby.

Head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for its free observation decks. The north tower stays open later, but mornings - especially in winter - translate to the clearest skies.

Tip: Bless your IG feed with a shot facing back toward the station — the skyline looks especially good from this angle.

Pick up a ready-to-eat spread from Isetan or Takashimaya and have a picnic-style lunch. If it rains, swap the park for the SOMPO Museum or explore one of Shinjuku’s multi-floor arcades.

Stop by Omoide Yokocho for an early bite of yakitori. The counters are tiny and best for one or two people, not big groups.

Neon Walk: Start at the Kabukichō Gate, catch the hourly Godzilla roar, and wander through Tokyu Kabukichō Tower for food and arcades.

Bar Hop: Wander around Golden Gai, where the bars hold five to ten people at most. Expect small cover charges (¥500–¥1,500) and bring cash. Go around 7–9 p.m. if you want a seat.

Inclusive Night: For a friendly, more open scene, party in Nichōme. The bars have an easygoing vibe and a social crowd. Just make sure to check the flyers for cover charges before you walk in.

Generally, yes, it is pretty safe. It’s bright, crowded, and full of activity, even past midnight. Ignore the touts, trust your gut, and stick to reputable bars facing the main streets.

Depends on your mood. Golden Gai is for bar-hopping between six-seat hideouts with a shochu in hand and jazz in the background. Eat at Omoide Yokocho and drink at Golden Gai.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. It’s the skyscraper every local recommends because the views are free, and lucky photographers may spot Mt Fuji peeking out of the clouds.

Lockers are everywhere inside Shinjuku Station. If you’re hauling suitcases, use the TA-Q-BIN service to deliver your luggage to your upcoming stay.

Half a day in Shinjuku gives you a taste of the highlights. A full one means you can squeeze in the garden, the skyline, yakitori eating sessions, and still have energy left to stumble through Golden Gai at night.