Guidebook for Shinjuku-ku
Food Scene
Swallow's nest is just one of the unusual ingredients at this Beijing cuisine restaurant, founded in 1963. For appetisers, try the Pidan Tofu (prepared at your table) and the saucy Special Boiled Gyoza.
Zuien Bekkan Shinjuku
2-chōme-7-4 ShinjukuSwallow's nest is just one of the unusual ingredients at this Beijing cuisine restaurant, founded in 1963. For appetisers, try the Pidan Tofu (prepared at your table) and the saucy Special Boiled Gyoza.
Named after the German word for cat, the manager of Die Katze is the adorable cat, Koenig. It’s a must-visit for cat lovers. The café is located right by Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi line, and on a nice day it’s a lovely stroll from Shinjuku. There are over 30 varieties of tea on offer as well as baked sweets like scones and brownies. Special lunch sets, which of course include tea, are also available.
ディー・カッツェ
1-chōme-19-8 ShinjukuNamed after the German word for cat, the manager of Die Katze is the adorable cat, Koenig. It’s a must-visit for cat lovers. The café is located right by Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi line, and on a nice day it’s a lovely stroll from Shinjuku. There are over 30 varieties of tea on offer as well as baked sweets like scones and brownies. Special lunch sets, which of course include tea, are also available.
The Calpis Butter Baguette is so popular it sells out pretty much as soon as it hits shelves. But even if you miss out on this one, there are plenty of other delicious baguettes and creatives breads at this bakery.
15 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Bakery Donsuke
7-chōme-13-3 ShinjukuThe Calpis Butter Baguette is so popular it sells out pretty much as soon as it hits shelves. But even if you miss out on this one, there are plenty of other delicious baguettes and creatives breads at this bakery.
Tsukemen dipping noodles are a popular ramen variant in Tokyo, but you've probably never had them like this before. Perched on the northern edge of Shinjuku Ni-chome, Gachi uses nothing but chicken to make its stock, and the thick, rich broth is more akin to potage than what you'd expect at a conventional tsukemen joint. Order the decadent Sio DX version (¥990) and your noodles come topped with an enormous helping of fried chicken, complemented with ajitama egg, seaweed and a slice of lemon that the staff suggest squeezing over the dish when you're halfway through. (If that doesn't already sound glutinous enough, they also let customers slurp up to 300 grams of noodles at no extra cost.) Purists may turn their noses up at this unorthodox concoction (not to mention its teriyaki and spicy ‘black’ variants), but we're big fans.
16 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
2Chome Tsukemen Gachi
2-chōme-17-10 ShinjukuTsukemen dipping noodles are a popular ramen variant in Tokyo, but you've probably never had them like this before. Perched on the northern edge of Shinjuku Ni-chome, Gachi uses nothing but chicken to make its stock, and the thick, rich broth is more akin to potage than what you'd expect at a conventional tsukemen joint. Order the decadent Sio DX version (¥990) and your noodles come topped with an enormous helping of fried chicken, complemented with ajitama egg, seaweed and a slice of lemon that the staff suggest squeezing over the dish when you're halfway through. (If that doesn't already sound glutinous enough, they also let customers slurp up to 300 grams of noodles at no extra cost.) Purists may turn their noses up at this unorthodox concoction (not to mention its teriyaki and spicy ‘black’ variants), but we're big fans.
Tokyo's belated brunch revolution was boosted by the 2012 opening of the first Japanese branch of Sarabeth’s, the New York chain that's been keeping Manhattanites well gorged on porridge, jam and pancakes since 1981. Open from 9am every day, the 64-seat restaurant serves up many of the familiar Sarabeth’s staples, including eggs benedict, lemon and ricotta pancakes, 'fat and fluffy' French toast and a plethora of pastries.
Sarabeth's LUMINE 2
3-chōme-38-2 ShinjukuTokyo's belated brunch revolution was boosted by the 2012 opening of the first Japanese branch of Sarabeth’s, the New York chain that's been keeping Manhattanites well gorged on porridge, jam and pancakes since 1981. Open from 9am every day, the 64-seat restaurant serves up many of the familiar Sarabeth’s staples, including eggs benedict, lemon and ricotta pancakes, 'fat and fluffy' French toast and a plethora of pastries.
Speciality restaurant 'Hamaguri' in Shinjuku-sanchome boasts a long list of shellfish dishes. The 'Baked Clam on Kelp' is packed with powerful ocean flavours and is well-suited to pairing with saké.
Hamaguri
3-chōme-8-4 ShinjukuSpeciality restaurant 'Hamaguri' in Shinjuku-sanchome boasts a long list of shellfish dishes. The 'Baked Clam on Kelp' is packed with powerful ocean flavours and is well-suited to pairing with saké.
Tokyo hasn't seen anything like this since the Bubble Era. Every night in a basement in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, bikini-clad women stage mock battles using enormous robots – though it's more steroid-enhanced fairground attraction than modern-day Gundam. Fitted out at a cost of ¥10 billion, Robot Restaurant looks like something straight out of Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void, all migraine-inducing neon, video screens and mirrors (and if you think that's bad, just check the website). Customers pay a ¥7,000 charge, but the Bubble Era comparisons end there: rather than massively marked-up Ballantines and Beaujolais Nouveau, the drink menu only extends as far as canned beer, chu-hai and bottled tea, sold at the kind of prices you'd expect at a baseball game. The entry fee also no longer includes a bento box – though as you'd find tastier fare in an average convenience store, it's no big loss. There are four 90-minute shows each night, in which the nubile staff take to the floor on giant robots, including a neon tank and enormous female 'borgs – complete with (literally) pneumatic busts. When Time Out visited, the customers seemed a little too gob-smacked to know what to do at first, but by the end they were waving their glowsticks like hardened para-para dancers. Give it a chance, and you might find yourself doing the same thing too.
999 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Robot Restaurant
1-chōme-7-7 KabukichōTokyo hasn't seen anything like this since the Bubble Era. Every night in a basement in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, bikini-clad women stage mock battles using enormous robots – though it's more steroid-enhanced fairground attraction than modern-day Gundam. Fitted out at a cost of ¥10 billion, Robot Restaurant looks like something straight out of Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void, all migraine-inducing neon, video screens and mirrors (and if you think that's bad, just check the website). Customers pay a ¥7,000 charge, but the Bubble Era comparisons end there: rather than massively marked-up Ballantines and Beaujolais Nouveau, the drink menu only extends as far as canned beer, chu-hai and bottled tea, sold at the kind of prices you'd expect at a baseball game. The entry fee also no longer includes a bento box – though as you'd find tastier fare in an average convenience store, it's no big loss. There are four 90-minute shows each night, in which the nubile staff take to the floor on giant robots, including a neon tank and enormous female 'borgs – complete with (literally) pneumatic busts. When Time Out visited, the customers seemed a little too gob-smacked to know what to do at first, but by the end they were waving their glowsticks like hardened para-para dancers. Give it a chance, and you might find yourself doing the same thing too.
Australia's famous coffee prodigy won the World Barista Championship at the age of 25, but his efforts to widen his empire to Japan haven't quite gone according to plan. Following the closure of his Ginza and Jiyugaoka shops, this is now the only branch of Paul Bassett in Tokyo. It's also one of the few serious coffee places that has seating for more than a couple of dozen people: the spacious premises, which bleed into the Salvatore Cuomo restaurant next door, include numerous two-person tables and a few large shared ones, with an overhead skylight affording ample natural light. Customers pass an elaborate roaster on the way in, although the coffees can feel a little dashed-off at times. Turn up before 11am for a cheap morning set, including coffee and croissant, or after 2.30pm on weekdays (or all day at weekends) if you want the baristas to oblige you with some latte art. Though there's nothing especially distinctive about the lattes here, they're still the best we've found in Shinjuku. Cakes, including a seriously decadent banana tart, are a draw in themselves, and available in ¥750 sets after 2.30pm.
17 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Paul Bassett Shinjuku
1-chōme-26-2 NishishinjukuAustralia's famous coffee prodigy won the World Barista Championship at the age of 25, but his efforts to widen his empire to Japan haven't quite gone according to plan. Following the closure of his Ginza and Jiyugaoka shops, this is now the only branch of Paul Bassett in Tokyo. It's also one of the few serious coffee places that has seating for more than a couple of dozen people: the spacious premises, which bleed into the Salvatore Cuomo restaurant next door, include numerous two-person tables and a few large shared ones, with an overhead skylight affording ample natural light. Customers pass an elaborate roaster on the way in, although the coffees can feel a little dashed-off at times. Turn up before 11am for a cheap morning set, including coffee and croissant, or after 2.30pm on weekdays (or all day at weekends) if you want the baristas to oblige you with some latte art. Though there's nothing especially distinctive about the lattes here, they're still the best we've found in Shinjuku. Cakes, including a seriously decadent banana tart, are a draw in themselves, and available in ¥750 sets after 2.30pm.
A restaurant specialising in Uyghur cuisine is rare, even for Tokyo. The folksy interior and juicy lamb and noodle dishes will make you feel like you're on a trip through Central Asia.
SilkRoad Tarim Uyghur Restaurant
3-chōme-15-8 NishishinjukuA restaurant specialising in Uyghur cuisine is rare, even for Tokyo. The folksy interior and juicy lamb and noodle dishes will make you feel like you're on a trip through Central Asia.
Starbucks
2-chōme-25-6 DōgenzakaStarbucks Coffee Shinjuku L Tower
1-chōme-6-1 NishishinjukuIchiran Shinjuku Kabuki-cho
Most poplour ramen shop
Parks & Nature
You might not expect to find tranquility in bustling Shinjuku, but stump up the meagre ¥200 entrance fee and step into the entirely different world of Shinjuku Gyoen, possibly Tokyo’s most beautiful green space. Shinjuku Gyoen is split into a French formal garden, an English landscape garden and a Japanese garden, complete with teahouse for thirsty explorers. Come sakura season, the whole place erupts into so much riotous pink, you’d be forgiven for thinking a Pride march had rolled through town. Don't worry if you've arrived a little late, though – there's still plenty to see, including brightly coloured rose gardens, carefully clipped topiary and expansive green spaces to settle in with a picnic. The Japanese garden is watched from above by the formidable NTT building – an ideal juxtaposition for amateur photographers looking for that perfect Japan old versus new pic. Using toys, sports equipment and the like in the garden is prohibited, as is bringing alcohol into the garden and drinking it there.
2181 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
신주쿠 교엔
11 NaitōmachiYou might not expect to find tranquility in bustling Shinjuku, but stump up the meagre ¥200 entrance fee and step into the entirely different world of Shinjuku Gyoen, possibly Tokyo’s most beautiful green space. Shinjuku Gyoen is split into a French formal garden, an English landscape garden and a Japanese garden, complete with teahouse for thirsty explorers. Come sakura season, the whole place erupts into so much riotous pink, you’d be forgiven for thinking a Pride march had rolled through town. Don't worry if you've arrived a little late, though – there's still plenty to see, including brightly coloured rose gardens, carefully clipped topiary and expansive green spaces to settle in with a picnic. The Japanese garden is watched from above by the formidable NTT building – an ideal juxtaposition for amateur photographers looking for that perfect Japan old versus new pic. Using toys, sports equipment and the like in the garden is prohibited, as is bringing alcohol into the garden and drinking it there.
Drinks & Nightlife
Way back in the 1960s and early ’70s, Shinjuku was sprinkled with jazz coffee shops. Celebrated names of that bygone era included Dug, an establishment whose present-day incarnation is a cramped brick-lined basement on Yasukuni-dori. Everything about the place speaks serious jazz credentials, with carefully crafted authenticity and assorted memorabilia. A basement bar annexe below the nearby KFC is used for live performances.
7 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Dug Jazz Cafe & Bar
3-chōme-15-12 ShinjukuWay back in the 1960s and early ’70s, Shinjuku was sprinkled with jazz coffee shops. Celebrated names of that bygone era included Dug, an establishment whose present-day incarnation is a cramped brick-lined basement on Yasukuni-dori. Everything about the place speaks serious jazz credentials, with carefully crafted authenticity and assorted memorabilia. A basement bar annexe below the nearby KFC is used for live performances.
Shopping
The name, in case you hadn't already worked it out, is a contraction of two of Japan's major retail giants: home electronics behemoth Bic Camera and fast fashion pioneer Uniqlo. Opened to great fanfare in September 2012, Shinjuku's Bicqlo offers the opportunity to buy underwear and iPhones under the same roof – though anybody who's visited a big-box suburban superstore may struggle to see what all the fuss was about.
235 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
BICQLO
3-chōme-29-1 ShinjukuThe name, in case you hadn't already worked it out, is a contraction of two of Japan's major retail giants: home electronics behemoth Bic Camera and fast fashion pioneer Uniqlo. Opened to great fanfare in September 2012, Shinjuku's Bicqlo offers the opportunity to buy underwear and iPhones under the same roof – though anybody who's visited a big-box suburban superstore may struggle to see what all the fuss was about.
Decorating house or shopping for gifts? Start with the renowned Conran Shop, then get lost in the 30 different showrooms over six floors featuring furniture, fabrics, tableware, toys, accessories and imported foods.
Living Design Center OZONE
3-chōme-7-1 NishishinjukuDecorating house or shopping for gifts? Start with the renowned Conran Shop, then get lost in the 30 different showrooms over six floors featuring furniture, fabrics, tableware, toys, accessories and imported foods.
Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho
1-chōme-16-5 KabukichōLumine 1 and Lumine 2 feature over 200 shops and restaurants, and thanks to frequent remodels and introduction of new stores, they always offer the newest and most popular brands. Shop till you drop at 10pm.
76 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
ルミネ新宿1
1-chōme-1-5 NishishinjukuLumine 1 and Lumine 2 feature over 200 shops and restaurants, and thanks to frequent remodels and introduction of new stores, they always offer the newest and most popular brands. Shop till you drop at 10pm.
Entertainment & Activities
Work out some frustration at a batting cage. One game of 28 balls is ¥300. Join the member system and get privileges such as the option to borrow professional-grade bats used by players such as Ichiro and Hideki Matsui.
45 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
신주쿠 배팅 센터
2-chōme-21-13 KabukichōWork out some frustration at a batting cage. One game of 28 balls is ¥300. Join the member system and get privileges such as the option to borrow professional-grade bats used by players such as Ichiro and Hideki Matsui.
This cinema complex was the first of its kind in Japan, with all nine theatres equipped with digital projectors. No matter which theatre you end up in, you’ll be able to enjoy crisp, vibrant colours. Naturally, the acoustics are just as cutting-edge. In addition, selected weekday screenings from 3:30pm to 6pm are only ¥1,200.
134 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Shinjuku Wald 9
3-chōme-1-26 ShinjukuThis cinema complex was the first of its kind in Japan, with all nine theatres equipped with digital projectors. No matter which theatre you end up in, you’ll be able to enjoy crisp, vibrant colours. Naturally, the acoustics are just as cutting-edge. In addition, selected weekday screenings from 3:30pm to 6pm are only ¥1,200.
Everything Else
Shinjuku’s Golden Gai area has plenty of bars but few places to eat, so this restaurant is a good find with its 50-plus different kinds of skewers starting at ¥100 each.
823 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
에스테스 공원 기념 천문대
1-chōme-1-6 KabukichōShinjuku’s Golden Gai area has plenty of bars but few places to eat, so this restaurant is a good find with its 50-plus different kinds of skewers starting at ¥100 each.
Essentials
7-Eleven
4-chōme-8-1 Higashi1 min by walk