Shinjuku is a must-visit district in Tokyo, and there’s so much to do in this cool neighbourhood!
It’s got the perfect mix of shopping, entertainment, and hidden pockets of calm.
By day, you’ll find peaceful parks and panoramic city views, and by night, the neon lights come alive with endless food and nightlife options.
Whether it’s your first trip to Tokyo or you’ve been before, Shinjuku has plenty to discover.
Here are some of the best and most fun activities and things to do in Shinjuku!
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!
Plan your Tokyo trip
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, here are some other posts to help you plan your perfect trip:
- Looking for more things to do? Check out the most fun things to do in Shibuya.
Fun things to do in Shinjuku
Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
This massive, 144-acre park in Shinjuku feels like a peaceful escape from the city.
It blends traditional Japanese gardens with European landscape designs, and it’s a beautiful spot to wander through year-round.
And if you’re visiting in spring, the cherry blossoms here are absolutely stunning!
The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden was originally built as a garden for the Imperial family, but it became a national park for the public after WWII!
Entrance is ¥500 per person for general admission.
Take in the views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
For one of the best free viewpoints in Tokyo, head up to the observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
On a clear day, you can even spot Mount Fuji in the distance!
You do have to wait in a queue to take the elevator up, but it’s definitely worth the visit.
Keep in mind that as it is an office building, it’s only open during office hours and during weekdays!
See the Godzilla Head
One of Shinjuku’s quirkiest landmarks is the Godzilla head towering over Toho Cinema in Kabukicho.
It’s an iconic photo spot, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch it roaring and lighting up throughout the day.
Though it is just a quick photo op, it’s a very fun and “only in Japan” type of stop!
Walk through Omoide Yokocho
Find this narrow alley tucked away near Shinjuku Station, where you’ll find tiny izakayas and yakitori stands.
The smoky, nostalgic atmosphere truly feels like stepping back in time.
In fact, omoide yokocho means “memory lane” in Japanese.
It’s the perfect place for grabbing a late-night bite and soaking in the local vibe!
Snap photos of the neon lights around Kabukicho
Shinjuku’s entertainment district comes alive after dark, and this famous area is best known for adult-oriented nightlife.
We’re not really nightlife people, but we enjoyed strolling through Kabukicho in the late afternoon and seeing the glowing signs of Kabukicho.
There were so many picturesque streets in the area – we couldn’t stop snapping photos!
Stop into a bar in Golden-Gai
Golden-Gai is a must-visit area in Kabukicho for nightlife lovers.
This maze of six narrow alleys is packed with almost 300 tiny bars, each with its own unique theme and personality.
Formerly a red-light district after WWII, Golden-Gai still has the reminiscence of 1950s Tokyo, right in the middle of ultra-modern Shinjuku.
Some spots are locals-only, but many are foreigner-friendly as well – you’ll know if you see an English sign!
If you’re up for it, you can even book a guided bar-hopping tour in Shinjuku.
Go on a food tour through Shinjuku
We only spent a brief time in Shinjuku during our time in Tokyo, but we had really incredible eats there.
With this food tour, you can taste 13 different dishes at 4 different spots, while learning about the history and culture of Shinjuku.
It’s a fun way to try a bunch of different Japanese dishes at once, and you don’t even have to do any research on where to eat!
Visit an animal café
Shinjuku has tons of themed cafés, including plenty of adorable animal cafés.
Play with cats at the Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge or hedgehogs at Chiku Chiku Cafe.
If you’re planning to visit one, I’d recommend checking reviews to make sure the animals are well cared for. Google reviews are a great place to start!
We visited a micropig cafe in Shibuya and played with the cutest and cuddliest micro pigs.
Visit Suga Shrine from Your Name
Your Name is one of my favourite movies of all-time, so of course we had to pay a visit to Suga Shrine.
If you’re a fan of the movie as well, you’ll recognize the iconic staircase leading up to the shrine from the end of the movie.
Adam and I really wanted to recreate the famous scene from the movie, but we were too shy to ask anyone to take photos.
We instead shot some inspired photos, which still turned out really nice.
I’d recommend coming earlier rather than later, because it actually gets a little busy with other movie fans taking photos.
Even if you’re not an anime fan, it’s a charming little stop worth visiting, and makes for a great photo op.
And while you’re here, be sure to check out the actual shrine as well!
Check out shops near Shinjuku Station
There is just so much good shopping in Tokyo, and you have to check out all the shops in the area around Shinjuku Station.
In particular, you’ll find the BEAMS flagship store here, which feels like an art museum!
Every BEAMS location has different offerings, and this 6-storey building offers up everything from quirky Japanese souvenirs to cool clothing brands.
Other stores we really liked in Shinjuku include:
- UNITED ARROWS – western style reimagined from a Japanese perspective
- UNIQLO – quality basics for women and men
- GU – the little sibling to UNIQLO with more affordable offerings
Fun things to do in Shinjuku:
- Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Take in the views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- See the Godzilla Head
- Walk through Omoide Yokocho
- Snap photos of the neon lights around Kabukicho
- Stop into a bar in Golden-Gai
- Go on a food tour through Shinjuku
- Visit an animal café
- Visit Suga Shrine from Your Name
- Check out shops near Shinjuku Station
From the quiet paths of Shinjuku Gyoen to the neon lights of Kabukicho, every corner of Shinjuku has something worth exploring.
Will you be adding any of these Shinjuku activities to your itinerary? What are some other fun things to do in Shinjuku? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
Plan your Tokyo trip
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, here are some other posts to help you plan your perfect trip:
- Looking for more things to do? Check out the most fun things to do in Shibuya.
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest if you aren’t already!
Feel free to subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get my blog posts delivered straight to your inbox.
Like this post? Pin it for later!
