Shinjuku for First-Timers: 30+ Best Things to Do in Tokyo's Entertainment Hub | LIVE JAPAN travel guide
After weeks of planning, budgeting, and saving a hundred reels, hearing the train jingle announce, “We are now arriving at Shinjuku Station,” feels like an angelic chorus. Step out and you’re met with a forest of neon signs, the gateway to what feels like the very essence of Tokyo. Prepare to be overstimulated in the best way!
Shinjuku may seem like a pocket-sized version of Tokyo, but it expands once you start wandering through its lantern-lit alleyways. One moment you’re jostling with tourists beneath the glowing Kabukicho gate, the next, you’re staring at koi gliding through the still water of Shinjuku Gyoen. It’s chaotic, yes, but easy to love once you learn the exits, the best times to wander, and where to go to slow down.
To make sense of Shinjuku on your first visit, this guide is organized around the station’s main exits, with clear suggestions on what to see, eat, and do in each. In Shinjuku, futuristic towers rise to the west, nightlife buzzes in the east, and cafés and gardens provide tranquility in the south. Each side has its own vibe, and if time is short, a one-day itinerary at the end will guide you through Shinjuku’s best corners.
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