Here’s a quick way to orient yourself: railway lines run through Shinjuku, dividing it into East and West. On the West is the ‘serious’ side of Shinjuku—home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (with observation decks), tourist hotels, and office skyscrapers. In contrast, East Shinjuku is the place to let loose and have fun! You might have heard of its drinking district Golden Gai, where over 200 bars in six narrow alleyways await your patronage. Equally well-known is its entertainment district Kabukicho, where you can choose to abandon all propriety and inhibition, or simply play the part of the curious onlooker. 

Is Shinjuku safe for tourists? Yes it is, even for the solo traveller! Shinjuku is a bustling area with plenty of locals and tourists milling about at all hours. However, as a traveller, you should always pay close attention to your belongings, to avoid falling prey to pickpockets and thieves. If you prefer, you can also explore Shinjuku’s nightlife attractions with a tour guide. 

Not a fan of the nightlife? There are many other Shinjuku attractions to discover, such as its parks, museums, and shopping spots. For a local’s advice on Shinjuku’s top attractions, follow these suggestions by the HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel team!

Don’t be alarmed by the scruffy appearance of the tiny bars in Tokyo’s hippest drinking alleys—it’s all part of Golden Gai’s appeal. 

Golden Gai can be considered a relic from the pre-WWII days. After the war, the area was overrun with brothels, which were soon outlawed. For survival, these establishments reinvented themselves as izakaya (bars serving alcohol and light bites). However, the structure of the buildings remained the same, which is why you’ll find that most Golden Gai bars can only accommodate about 10 patrons.

Not sure where to begin your jaunt? Book a Golden Gai food tour with Get Your Guide, where you can bar hop and sample delicious sushi, yakitori (skewers), and ramen together with fellow travellers. The tour will also take you through the Kabukicho district—for a quick snack—so it’s a great way to experience both areas at one go. (Note: HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel, is located within the Kabukicho district, so guests can easily experience the area’s food and attractions without having to join a tour.)

Want to truly maximise your time? Ninja Food Tours offers the option of a saké crash course, before you head out to check out Shinjuku’s best gastropubs.

Both tours are open to children, but do note that the drinking age in Japan begins at 20

Book a Shinjuku: Golden Gai food tour with Get Your Guide

Book a saké crash course and Shinjuku izakaya tour with Ninja Food Tours

Formerly a feudal lord’s residence during the Edo period (1603-1868), Shinjuku Gyoen was largely destroyed during WWII. Thankfully, reconstruction efforts led to a reopening of the historic site in 1949. 

Today, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s most popular parks, as well as the city’s best viewing spot for cherry blossoms in spring. It’s also extremely picturesque in autumn, when the trees—cherry, sycamore, maple, and more—turn golden brown.

Shinjuku Gyoen is best explored at your leisure, so that you can admire its idyllic French-, English-, and Japanese-themed gardens, as well as its lovely greenhouse, which showcases tropical and subtropical flowers.

Get directions to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (10-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Want to enjoy commanding views of Tokyo from a 202m vantage point? Head to the observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji on a day with good visibility, as well as landmarks like the Tokyo Skytree—Tokyo’s current tallest building at 634m.

Get directions to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (8-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Wondering what you can do in Shinjuku during the day? Three must-see Shinjuku attractions are the NTT Intercommunication Center, Sompo Museum of Art, and the Hanazono Shrine.

It hardly sounds like a museum, but the NTT Intercommunication Center is in fact a cultural centre that promotes synergy between artists and scientists. As part of their work, they host compelling media art exhibitions and events, as well as the occasional artist talk or workshop.

The Sompo Museum of Art is best known for having Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in its permanent collection. Van Gogh was fascinated with the sunflower, and he created seven versions of this work, featuring sunflowers in a vase—five are displayed in locations around the world (including Sompo), one is privately owned, and the last was lost during WWII. These sunflower pieces are not identical; there are variations in brush strokes and colour tones, suggesting that Van Gogh worked on each version with the intention to create something unique.

For a Japanese spiritual experience, head to the Hanazono Shrine to seek calm or pay your respects. Dating back to the Edo period, this is the most important shrine in Shinjuku, and it is dedicated to Inari Okami, the protector of rice cultivation. Inari also promotes prosperity, which is why it is the favoured deity of entrepreneurs—the Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido considers Inari their patron deity!

Get directions to NTT Intercommunication Center ((13-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Sompo Museum of Art (6-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Get directions to Hanazono Shrine (6-minute drive from HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel)

Known as the best shopping spot in Tokyo, Shinjuku has something for everyone—from fashion to electronics and souvenirs. 

For an all-in-one experience, head to major malls like Isetan Shinjuku Store, Keio Department Store Shinjuku, Shinjuku Subnade (Shinjuku’s largest underground mall), and Shinjuku Takashimaya.

If fashion is your main focus, begin your shopping expedition at Lumine Shinjuku or Shinjuku Mylord Mosaic Street. To browse stylish home and interior products, try Muji Shinjuku. Craft lovers can check out Sekaido Shinjuku Main Shop and Tokyu Hands. For consumer electronics, retail giant Yodobashi Camera has its flagship store in West Shinjuku.

See a Google Map of the main shopping areas in Shinjuku

Need help to book your hotel accommodation in Shinjuku? Contact the Hotel Groove Shinjuku team, and we will be happy to assist you!