Shinjuku is Tokyo's busiest district and I'd almost say one of the main "must-sees" of the Japanese capital.

While during the day Shinjuku is a great place for luxury and cheap shopping and a great starting point (several subway and train lines cross here), at night it turns into a lively area with quirky neon signs, illuminated advertisements, restaurants and bars.

Worth a visit?

I seek out neighborhoods like this and Shinjuku certainly didn't disappoint. Would I recommend a visit?

✅ Yes, if:

you want to experience Tokyo in full intensity
you're looking for instagram spots
you enjoy the nightlife
looking for a great base to explore the city (transport hub)

Hotels in Shinjuku - view here

❌ Not if:

you like quiet places
you're looking for cheap neighbourhoods for accommodation
you prefer historical sites
- 👉 Just about 20 minutes walk from Shinjuku is Meiji Shrine and the peaceful Kiyomasa Well Park

Shinjuku

Plus, Shinjuku isn't just about neon, shops, bars and restaurants.

A few minutes walk from the train and subway stations is, in my opinion, Tokyo's prettiest garden - Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

If you head the other way from the train station, you'll come across the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building skyscraper with its free observatories.

Shinjuku

Where to stay in Shinjuku?

The district acts as a transport hub for the subway and the city's trains, making it one of the most popular for accommodation in Tokyo.

Expect higher prices though - the eastern part of the Ginza district in central Tokyo, for example, is cheaper.

I recommend 3 hotels under different categories:

💸 Low-cost - Anshin oyado Tokyo Man Shinjuku
👍 Best value for money - APA Hotel Shinjuku-Kabukicho Tower ***
💎 Luxury - Hilton Tokyo Hotel **** (quieter part of Shinjuku)

Hotels in Shinjuku - view here

My day in Shinjuku area (route tips)

I spent the last 2 days of my stay in western Tokyo.

I stayed in the Shibuya district (about 10 minutes by train/metro from Shinjuku) and my day looked like this:

Morning check-in at Hotel Indigo
- 👉 Review and my photos from the hotel
Morning exploring around Shibuya Junction and shopping
Lunch at a local restaurant
- 👉 My 5 restaurant tips in Tokyo
Afternoon transfer by JR Yamanote Line train (about 5 minutes) to Yoyogi Park
- Visit the sacred well of Kiyomasa
- Visit Meiji Shrine
Return to Shibuya to check-in at the hotel and then take the JR Yamanote Line train again to the Shinjuku district (10 minutes)
- Afternoon visit to the free observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Evening walk around the bustling Shinjuku district
Evening sightseeing over Shibuya Junction (info above)
👉 What to skip in Tokyo if you're short on time