Shinjuku — Skyscrapers & Nightlife

Shinjuku is Tokyo's hyperactive heart — the world's busiest train station (3.5 million passengers daily), a skyscraper district, the city's best nightlife, and a surprisingly peaceful Japanese garden, all within a few minutes' walk.

The Western Shinjuku is Tokyo's Manhattan: Dozens of skyscrapers house hotels and offices. On the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, there is a free observation deck with a 360° panorama over Tokyo — on clear days, you can see Mount Fuji. One of the best free viewpoints in Asia.

The Eastern Shinjuku is the entertainment district. Here lies Kabukichō, Tokyo's most notorious entertainment district — neon signs, karaoke, arcades, restaurants, and bars on dozens of floors. The iconic Godzilla Head on the Hotel Gracery watches over the district. Since 2023, the new Kabukichō Tower attracts with entertainment on 48 floors.

For peace: The Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's most beautiful parks — with a Japanese garden, English landscape garden, and French formal garden. During cherry blossom season, it's one of Tokyo's hotspots (¥500 entrance fee, alcohol prohibited in the park).

For bar-hopping: Golden Gai — a maze of over 200 tiny bars, some with only four seats. Each bar has its own theme: jazz, punk, manga, film classics. Some charge ¥500–1,000 entrance (seating fee), which is then credited towards drinks.