Shinjuku Sightseeing Guide

Shinjuku can be roughly divided into three areas: the West Exit area, an office town with a row of high-rise buildings such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building; the South Exit area, a newcomer to Shinjuku with complex establishments for shopping and amusement; and the prominent entertainment district around Kabukicho, a town that never sleeps. In the East Exit area there is a row of department stores and other large stores, all of which are integrated and linked together.

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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Resembling Notre Dame in Paris you won't miss this place easily. The fourth tallest building in Japan, it was finished in 1990. It's 296 meters high and thanks to special shock absorbing pillars and posts, it's supposed to be fully earthquake proof.

There are two observation galleries, one in each tower at 45 floors up. admittance is free (anything free in Tokyo is rare) and the panoramic view is fantastic. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji and Yokohama!

Golden Gai

This famous Bar district on the East side of Shinjuku is composed of over 100 tiny shacks, formerly brothels bars and clubs. Golden Gia is renowned for the musicians, artists, actors, and directors that are patrons of the small bars known as nomiya which usually seat six to 15 people.

Shinjuku Gyoen - The Shinjuku Imperial Gardens

One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Shinjuku. Shinjuku may have a reputation as ‘an urban area,’ but it is certainly not without a garden. Shinjuku-gyoen is an oasis within skyscrapers, and one can enjoy its beauty throughout the four seasons. Cherry blossom season (sakura) is considered a special event.

Kabukicho

The name Kabukicho comes from a de-funked  kabuki theater that was planned to be built here in the 1940 but the plan fell through and the theater was never built.

Now a day’s Kabukicho is the most well known red light district in Japan. Although there are no prostitutes in windows like in other famous red light districts such as Amsterdam there are plenty of hostess bars, host bars, massage parlors, night clubs, and various other adult oriented establishments.

Shinjuku Chuo Koen - Shinjuku Central Park

This is a big park neighboring the skyscrapers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This park provides a place for businessmen to have a break during their busy weekdays, and for children to play on weekends. Shinjuku Chuo Koen sometimes also plays host to flea markets on the weekends. The park is also a popular place for artists like painter and photographers to practice their skills

Kyu Ogasawara tei - The Ogasawara House

This is a Spanish style house built for Earl Ogasawara in 1927. This European style building is now used as a restaurant run by a private company.