Shinjuku
新宿区
Things to Do in and Around Shinjuku
Shinjuku City is located in the heart of Tokyo and is an area with diverse features such as Kabukicho, the world's largest entertainment district, the skyscraper district of Nishi-Shinjuku, and the lush Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It offers abundant shopping, gourmet dining, and entertainment, with a charming cityscape where tradition and modernity coexist. There are many guides available for English speakers, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Tokyo.
Where is Shinjuku?
Shinjuku City is located in the western part of Tokyo's 23 cities, bordered by Chiyoda City and Bunkyo City to the east, Shibuya City and Minato City to the south, Nakano City to the west, and Toshima City to the north. At the center of the city is Shinjuku Station, one of Japan's leading terminal stations, serving as a key transportation hub in Tokyo. The city is broadly divided into distinctive areas, including the commercial hub of East Shinjuku and Kabukicho, the skyscraper district of West Shinjuku, the quiet residential area of Kagurazaka, and Takadanobaba, known as a center of youth culture.
Getting Around
Shinjuku Station, which serves as an access point to Shinjuku City, is connected by multiple lines including JR, private railways, and subways. Shinjuku Station is a major terminal station in Tokyo, offering access to JR Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Saikyo Line, Keio Line, Odakyu Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, and Fukutoshin Line. Limousine buses also operate from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport to Shinjuku Station.
While trains are the most convenient way to travel within Tokyo City, if you wish to travel further from Shinjuku, it is recommended to use express buses or overnight buses from Shinjuku Bus Terminal.
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About Shinjuku
While Shinjuku City is often associated with skyscrapers and bustling downtown areas, it also boasts many green spaces. Shinjuku Gyoen, with its vast 58.3-hectare grounds and approximately 10,000 trees, offers a tranquility that seems out of place in the city center. Additionally, parks like Toyama Park and Shinjuku Central Park are popular spots for refreshing escapes from the urban hustle and bustle.
Shinjuku Station: The Busiest in the World
Shinjuku Station holds the Guinness World Record for the busiest station, with an average daily ridership of over 3.5 million people. It serves 11 lines, including JR, private railways, and subways. While its complex structure may bewilder first-time visitors, navigating it is part of the unique Shinjuku experience. The station houses hundreds of shops, and its extensive underground malls make it comfortable even on rainy days.
A Crossroads of Tradition and Trend
In Shinjuku City, century-old traditional eateries coexist with the latest pop-up stores, offering a diverse range of experiences. Department stores like Isetan Shinjuku and Takashimaya, along with fashion buildings such as Shinjuku Marui and Shinjuku Lumine, showcase Japan's latest trends.
Moreover, areas like Shinjuku Sanchome and Kabukicho are home to many restaurants that retain an old-fashioned atmosphere, creating a unique charm where old and new cultures intersect.