Japan Travel Tokyo (Walking Trail) - Shinjuku, Tokyo

Japan Travel Tokyo (Walking Trail) - Shinjuku, Tokyo (2023 0601)

Known as the best entertainment district in Tokyo, Shinjuku abounds with venues where visitors can play, eat and shop all day long. From Robot Restaurant to Piss Alley to Shinjuku Golden Gai – the list is endless.

Getting There:

Tocho-mae Station on the Oedo Subway Line is located in the basement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Alternatively, the building can be reached in a 10 minutes’ walk from the west exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

 Getting to the starting Point:

Shinjuku Station 新宿駅 Exit West> via underground tunnel> Minami Dori> Turn Right on to Tocho Street>

 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 東京都庁

Address: 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001 Japan

Open: 9:30 to 22:00

Completed: December 1990

The building was designed by Kenzo Tange and finished in December 1990 are 243 meter tall building has two towers The North Observation Deck is currently closed until further notice. The South Observation Deck at 45 Floor is open to the public, and each houses an observatory at a height of 202 meters. It had been the tallest building in Tokyo until it was overtaken by the Midtown Tower in 2007.

Exit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building> Turn Left> Fureal-dori Avenue>

Chuo-dori street>

Turn left at end of street> toward Subaru Building Shinjuku Eye> 

Walk pass Bus Terminal> 

Cross under the overpass to JR Shinjuku Station>

Follow Right and walk along JR Shinjuku Termial> Cross Kyu-Ome-Kaido>

Omoide Yokochō 思い出横丁

Locate: Shinjuku Station West Exit

Address: 1-2, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku 160-0023 Tokyo Prefecture

Memory Lane or 'Piss alley" as it’s commonly called in Shinzuku is a narrow alleys bar district dating back to the post-war period, brimming with Showa-period nostalgia atmosphere. The buildings are old and mostly run down, the food stalls are very traditional, the visiting crowd multilingual

Exit Omoide Yokocho> Turn Right> Cross Yasukuni Street> 

Turn Right onto Shinjuku Street/Route 430> Cross  Shinjuku Street/Route 430> 

Kabuki-cho 歌舞伎>

Turn Right at Kabukicho (intersection)> Turn left onto Central Road>

Godzilla Statue (Toho Cinema Godzilla Kabukicho)

Address: 1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Poking out from behind the Toho Cinema complex of Kabukicho, the 12m (40 ft) tall head very occasionally roars. A tribute to the much loved creation of Toho themselves, Godzilla is an official tourism ambassador and special resident of Shinjuku.

Access: 181 m from Seibushinjuku Station / 0.6 km from Higashi-shinjuku Station / 0.6 km from Shinjuku Station

Turn Left> Walk along 1 Chome−14−7 Kabukicho (Yakiniku restaurant)>  Turn Left 1 Chome-10-12 Kabukicho> Cross Hanamichi-dori Street>

Samurai Museum (Permanent Closed)

Return to Hanamichi-dori Street> Turn Left and walk along Hanamichi-dori Street> Turn Right Kyushu Ramen Hakatakko Shinjuku> Turn right after FamilyMart Shinjuku Golden-Street>

Shinjuku Golden Gai 新宿ゴールデン街

Address: 160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome-1-6

Locate: Shinjuku Station East Exit and walk for 10 minutes

Golden Gai was known for prostitution before 1958, when prostitution became illegal. Since then it has developed as a drinking area, and at least some of the bars can trace their origins back to the 1960s, now a hidden world trapped in time, this Showa era (1926~1989) collection of tiny bars, most only seating about 8 people maximum and the night was reserved for drinks with close friends.

Head east on Akarui Hanazono Gobangai 花園五番街> 

Turn right after FamilyMart Shinjuku Golden-Street (on the left)

Hanazono Shrine 花園神社

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 5-chome 17-3

Tel: 03 3209 5265

 

This shrine was founded in the mid-17th century. before the start of the Edo period, this Inari shrine— a shrine dedicated to Inari, the androgynous god of fertility and worldly success—is a favorite place for businessmen to pray for successful ventures.

Exit 花園神社 大鳥居 Shinto shrine> 

Turn right and walk along 305> Cross 5-chōme-17 Shinjuku> Cross Shinjuku-sanchome  新宿三丁目> Cross Shinjuku-sanchome  新宿三丁目> Turn Left onto 3 Chome−1−17>

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 新宿御苑

Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan (〒160-0014 東京都新宿区内藤町11)

Open: 0900 - 1800 Hours Closed Monday

Contact: +81333500151

Access:

Shinjuku Gate is a ten minute walk east from the "New South Exit" of JR Shinjuku Station or a five minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line

Okido Gate is also a five minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line

Sendagaya Gate is a five minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station on the local Chuo/Sobu Line.

 

Shinjuku Gyoen originated during the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence. Later it was converted into a botanical garden before being transferred to the Imperial Family in 1903 who used it for recreation and the entertainment of guests. The park was almost completely destroyed during World War II, but was eventually rebuilt and reopened in 1949 as a public park.