Location: Shinjuku
Top Things to do in Shinjuku
What to do and see in Shinjuku, Kanto: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
In busy Shinjuku, you’ll find some of the tallest buildings in Toyko, as well as tons of shopping malls, bars and clubs. To escape the hustle and bustle, TripAdvisor travelers recommend visiting Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a beautiful and peaceful park in the middle of the city.
Restaurants in Shinjuku
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,558 reviews
The tallest building in Shinjuku, TMG No. 1 offers sweeping views of Tokyo -- all the way to Mt. Fuji on a clear day -- from the 45th floor observatory.
Reviewed By kc3302 - Riverwood, Australia
Fantastic views of the Tokyo City and suburbs. Free entry. There are two observation towers - one in each of the building's two towers. It is located above Tochomae Station (on the Toei Oedo line), or is a comfortable 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station (all other train lines including JR, Keio, Seibu, Odakyu and other subway lines).
2. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,151 reviews
Shinjuku Gyoen was constructed on the site of a private mansion belonging to Lord Naito, a "daimyo" (feudal lord) of the Edo era. Completed in 1906 as an imperial garden, it was re-designated as a national garden after the Second World War and opened to the public. With 58.3 ha(144 acres) in size and a circumference of 3.5 km, it blends three distinct styles, Formal Garden, Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden, and is considered to be one of the most important gardens from the Meiji era.
Reviewed By Cholo_Juan - Nathalia, Australia
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is perhaps the most beautiful garden in Tokyo, nestled in the heart of Shinjuku/Shibuya within walking distance of Shinjuku Station, this garden to me exemplifies a large Japanese garden, once the private garden of the Naitō family in the Edo period it is now under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Autumn is a wonderful time to visit gardens in Japan, the combination of beautiful coloured foliage and stunning landscaping and vistas combine to give garden lovers an experience not to be missed, the garden is built around three lakes with plenty of paths to lead you on to one wonderful view after another, then a tea house or pavilion and then past sculpted beds of shrubs, across bridges and when finaly you need to rest you can sit at one of the cafes and enjoy a snack whilst contemplating the beauty of Japan.
3. Shinjuku Suehirotei
4. Samurai Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,906 reviews
Feel the real Samurai spirit.Samurai Museum is located in the KABUKICHO district of Shinjuku, which is one of the urban areas in Tokyo. It displays various kinds of authentic artifacts such as Samurai armor, helmets and weapons. The mission for the museum is to share true Samurai spirits with you so that you can have a better understanding of Samurai , including how they fought, who they were, what they believed. The museum offers an English guided tour that runs frequently for you to learn rich Samurai history at a deeper level. Many interesting facts about Samurai are covered in this tour.In addition, it has a photo booth where you are allowed to take pictures wearing Samurai outfits or Kimono. Also, the museum offers a special sword show at 2,3,4 and 5 pm everyday for you to watch two trained actors doing a sword fighting performance. The Museum shop is also worth visiting to buy cool gifts such as Katana.
Reviewed By jason3216
The museum has a private collection of some of the best samurai armor, swords and other accessories I have seen. There are guided tours in English that run about every hour (About 1hr duration). Tickets are reasonably priced and includes an informative guided tour, a chance to try on a samurai helmet with a sword as well as other garments such as kimonos. There is also a samurai sword-wielding demonstration that runs at set intervals during the day (You can return during the day to see the demonstration). Easy walking distance from Shinjuku station. A must see.
5. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,447 reviews
The South Observatory will remain closed, due to remodeling work on the TMG Buildings. It is scheduled for a renewal opening around spring of 2019. (The Norh Observatory is open.)
Reviewed By CHRISL525
head on up to the view deck for a free view of the city , great view day or night and it's free , so great for families. right in the heart of shinjuku.
6. Hanazono Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 605 reviews
Reviewed By Genevieve_aust - Gold Coast, Australia
Hanazono Jinja is a lovely Shrine so close to sShinjuku station, but once you are inside you could be in a different time. Quiet lovely to look around the temple area, and on Sundays they host a Flea market with lots of antiques and other curios, I have picked up some great things there.
7. Shinjuku Golden Gai
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,225 reviews
Reviewed By bish-sg - Singapore, Singapore
A great place to walk around and get transformed back in time to how the drinking scene in Tokyo was.. great place to grab a couple of drinks just for the experience. Most places charge a cover fee for entrance and usually seat any where between 6-8 people. There are some that are strictly for members and will have it written on the door clearly, so don’t bother with them
8. Fire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Valkyrie_108
I had this museum high on my list considering my father is a firefighter in Australia. The history levels and the static displays of the fire fighting equipment was fascinating, comparable to the Fire Museum in Penrith, Australia with the amount of displays of vehicles, in air sea and on the ground. The day I visited, the displays you could usually sit in where closed to the public; though you could still view them. It will be on my father's list to visit when he is able to.
9. Kagurazaka
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 740 reviews
Reviewed By JPSalik - New York City, United States
We were fortunate enough to find an airbnb apartment in this neighborhood and we enjoyed it so much. This is reminiscent of St Germain in Paris (Japanese style of course) with all the small alleyway, full of restaurants on every level of the buildings. So many choices. We spent 10 glorious days and did not feel like going anywhere else as there is so much to discover. This neighborhood has French influence with many restaurants, we tried a couple but the Japanese food is so good that we could not have enough time for all. Walking day and nights in the small alleyways we never felt threatened as we found Japanese people so welcoming, kind, polite and patient with us as we do not speak the language. We learned to say the minimum and to bow, this was enough to show our appreciation for their kindness. Where in the world do you have the owner, the waiter and the cook following you in the street and bowing good bye and thank you? We were deeply impressed by their courtesy and this was not unique, this is the norm here. We will come back to this airbnb and neighborhood again.
10. Omoide Yokocho
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,109 reviews
Reviewed By matthenry9 - London, United Kingdom
I had a lovely time wandering through these couple of alleys, before sitting in one of the tiny restaurants for some yakitori- I had beef & also a bunch of veggies wrapped in bacon! Delicious. Some of the restaurants (which are all pretty tiny) have second floors, so dont assume they're all full. Like most bars/restaurants around Tokyo, all have a cover fee ranging from ¥300-1000.
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