Things to do in SHINJUKU - How to Enjoy Tokyo's Busiest Neighborhood

Shinjuku is one of the most vibrant city in Tokyo that every ages, ethnicities, genders gathers. I'd like to explain what's where in Shinjuku, and how to get around this busiest city in Tokyo.
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Where I dripped by in order appears in the video:
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Yamashita Honki Udon (Lunch)
Isetan Shinjuku
Sekaido
Takashimaya Shinjuku
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bldg.
Shinjuku Chuo Park
Kabukicho Gindako (Takoyaki)
Hakata Tenjin
Omoide Yokocho
* The video footages were taken in several different dates.
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[@tokyokenchan]

Just a little warning about "trap" that has been reported in Shinjuku. Please do not follow someone who talk to you in Kabukicho area even if the person talk to you in your language. Sometimes they talk to you that they introduce you to a nice restaurant for discounted price, but it can be overpriced and can ruin your memory of travel. They might stop you from trying to go into a certain restaurant pretending that they are the staff of the restaurant, saying they are full now. Thank you for watching. :)

[@áaaaaaaaaaaaaachairos]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 how perfect is your life if something like this can ruin your memory?????

[@MichaelBartonMTS]

​@alyss2000 it's worse then it sounds, they harass people and try to intimatedate people to follow

[@MiguelRodriguez-my3dg]

@@MichaelBartonMTSif anyone has been to Mexico , I’m sure this “trap” is nothing lmao

[@StephaniePasq-hg7vt]

People have had their drinks drugged and robbed of everything on them only to wake up in a weird location the next day, so yeah, it can be very serious. Japan is generally very safe, but no one should ever let their guard down traveling anywhere. Dangers exist in any place, no exceptions.

[@StephaniePasq-hg7vt]

Worse things have happened in Kabukicho than just that. Tourists have been drugged and robbed. That will certainly put a stain on the memory of your trip. Be vigilant everywhere and never assume you are perfectly safe just because it is Japan. That’s naive.

[@Krakuun]

Great video, really nice job filming too. I appreciate your insight into the area. I've watched many videos, but you've got some of the best for helping travelers heading to Japan. Thanks for making these videos!

[@tokyokenchan]

David san, Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate your word. I'm glad if my videos are actually helping travelers to enjoy Japan trip more.

[@1hunglow582]

@@tokyokenchan yes definitely gonna help me in 2 months. I'm staying at the hotel gracery I hope it's a good sopt

[@GioARamos]

Wow! This is really an informative and a fun video. I learned a lot, and there are lots of places to see aside from the famous train station. Thank you! 🙂

[@tokyokenchan]

Gio san, thank you for your comment! I'm glad you liked the video. Yes, Shinjuku has a lot to offer but hard to explain in one word, so I hope you could get snapshot of what the town is like. :) Thank you again!

[@Simple_N_Happy]

Good information

[@mariaemiliafloresvidarte7519]

Great video! Thank you so much for your advices. Its the second time that I will visit Japan and Im so excited for rediscover all this places :) See you next month

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. That's great you are coming back to Japan soon! I wish you the best trip. :)

[@anhhung44]

We really enjoy watching your videos as they are very informative. You are very methodical in your explanation that makes it very easy to follow. If possible, we would love to see a video from Tokyo to Ginzan Onsen. Thank you and we look forward to see more of your videos.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad to hear that you enjoy my videos. I'll work on making my videos more easy to understand. I'm not sure how soon I can cover, but I'll definitely work on the travel to Ginzan Onsen too. Thank you again!

[@kevinbaas1293]

I like how you make a schedule for us to follow-up! Thanks for another great video 📹. Hopefully I can reach Sakuras in April 11

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you Kevin. I'm glad if you liked the video. Yes, every year the season is different, but probably you can catch some late Sakura in Shinjuku Gyoen. It's also good to go up higher or north to see full bloom. The cherry blossom season in northern Japan is late April. You are visiting in a great season. 😊

[@JakenFren]

Your series on Japan is the best one I found on KZbin. I can’t wait for my first trip to Japan next year!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching my videos and your kind words! I really appreciate it. And how exciting that you are visiting here for the first time! I wish you the best trip to Japan!! :)

[@diego_rojas8533]

Your going next year to im going on april

[@SaukaKumagae]

+

[@davidmihm7276]

Kendo, thank you for making these videos! Your videos always have a lot of useful information, and it helped my wife and I have a great experience on our recent first trip to Japan where we visited Tokyo, Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, and Yokohama. We look forward to visiting Japan again in 2024 to explore Kyushu!

[@tokyokenchan]

David san, I'm very glad to hear you had a great time in Japan, and visiting here again next year! Thank you for letting me know! I'm very glad to hear my videos were helpful. I wish you the best trip in Kyushu! :)

[@Sanno8585]

Good job filming in the night! Thanks for the tips.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching.

[@thelifeofbatteries2603]

This video is perfect for us as our hotel is right next to Shinjuku Chuo park for 5 nights before we move to Kyoto. Thank you for a superb video.

[@tokyokenchan]

You are staying at a nice place! I'm glad you have enough time Tokyo. Thank you for watching again.

[@mariagrant9684]

Thank you for featuring Shinjuku … .. hope to visit this OCT.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. I hope you have a great trip in Tokyo. :)

[@realnaturalist9932]

thanks. really nice vid.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. I appreciate your comment.

[@floflo07]

Thanks for sharing. You are in point we were there Feb to First week of March last 2020 before the lockdown and we will be back again next month. Shinjuku is a Lovely city

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. That's great you visited Shinjuku right before the closure, and I'm glad to know you are coming back soon. 😊

[@antoniosorrentino8079]

Visit japan is always been my dream from when i was a kid and 4 year ago i realized this dream. For (only) 10 days i have visited so many place and eat everything i can. I loved every single thing of japan. Next year i will return here for my honey moon and with a daughter (Miwa). Not rush this time, i just want walking around the streets and park for smell the scent of the food that come from the restaurant, hear the sounds of traffic light and the cawing of the crows. Japan is my ikigai ❤

[@TokyoHomes]

Thanks for the information 🤍

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. :)

[@evelyn1805]

Thank you for this video. The map you showed us will help me a lot when I come visit Japan. I don't really enjoy crowds but I'll stop at Shinjuku to visit Isetan on the east side :)

[@tokyokenchan]

If you go off the streets, there are lots of places with less crowds too even in Tokyo. Thank you for watching. :)

[@chibifanz]

the takoyaki is amazing .. great information to go at night !

[@chibifanz]

hai dear i will be in tokyo on the 19th -25.. can we meet hehehehe

[@jigozaens289]

Best travel guide vlog I've ever found

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for your kind comment. :)

[@yinyuelover9530]

Great video and information. Thank you for making it. Stayed at Keio Plaza for a week and didn't even know these. Will bear in mind on my next trip. Thank you.🙏👍

[@tokyokenchan]

You did! Did you like Keio Plaza hotel? Shinjuku has a lot to see too, so I hope you can enjoy even more next time. :) Thank you.

[@yinyuelover9530]

@@tokyokenchan yes, I did. Very convenient but I didn't cover a lot especially the areas in your video. Will certainly check out your video again prior to my next trip. Thank you for all your time and efforts putting these videos. Very informative and helpful. God bless. 🙏👍

[@allanbernd1]

Hello from Denmark and thanks for the Nice informatives videos

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching from Denmark! I appreciate you left the comment. :)

[@guelzzz8833]

Thank you, Kenchan!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching!

[@albiewong]

Kenchan-san, I recalled the first time I traveled to Japan, and I had booked to stay at the Gracery Hotel Shinjuku. I studied intensely the route from the Narita bus drop-off at Shinjuku Station to the hotel on Google Maps, but can you imagine how totally different the whole area turned out to be when I actually arrived at night, from all the neon lights?!!! Haha, so I got very lost! It took me a long time to find my way to the hotel. It was fun, though, being lost in a Bladerunneresque night time of Godzilla and pachinkos. I also went for the Robot Restaurant extravaganza show which was crazy and entertaining! And I also remembered Pokemon Go had just been launched, and everyone was so obsessed by Pikachu and Magikarp and Dragonair!! Shinjuku Gyoen Garden was an escape from all the crowds but all the insects were chirping so loudly! Amazing Shinjuku & Kabukicho! Not to be missed.

[@LERobbo]

Nice! I'll be going there for 2 months soon.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you. Have a great trip to Japan. :)

[@Meowmoomeeow]

Awesome

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you!

[@ciwanechris1428]

Thank u for video, that's city is clean !

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. :)

[@ciwanechris1428]

I subscribe to your channel

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you!

[@curtiskobylnyk6634]

Terrific video!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching. :)

[@curtiskobylnyk6634]

@@tokyokenchan my pleasure!

[@justjoy8355]

I am really enjoying your channel. And I will admit that I have been binge watching many other channels. 🤦‍♀️. Traveling to Japan in October and I want to be as prepared as possible. Hotel is in Ueno but I of course will visit Shinjuku. I love the detail in your videos. THANK YOU. Burning question: is paying a tour guide really necessary? It seems that everything is straightforward and organized. I can use apps for directions and translation, right? I don’t want to spend $$$ on guide unless it’s REALLY necessary. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you again!

[@margarettobanana]

Thank you for another informative video! Looking forward to going to these places soon! Would you still recommend going to the park if I travel around winter time (mid-December)? Thank you.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching as always. Hmmm.. Good question. if it's a cold day, you might want to spend your time in the city instead of the garden. :)

[@dazdragon445]

Seeing all the izakaya is making me miss Japan. Hopefully spring time...

[@tokyokenchan]

haha. I'm glad more and more people are back to Shinjuku. Yes, I hope you can visit next year. Probably you can enjoy Thailand so much more in cold winter... :)

[@dazdragon445]

@@tokyokenchan yes, Thailand is always better to keep hot when many places are cold, but traveling to the US for Christmas and a birthday. So i will get a little cold weather, but i won't be any place that it snows;)

[@utubeddong]

Sorry. I might accidentally hit thumb down button. I meant hit thumb up but the TV remote control was little clumsy. Good information. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@tokyokenchan]

David san, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you for letting me know. I rarely get thumb down on my videos, but this video have some. Maybe my big face. haha.

[@LuisSanchez-zj8id]

Thank you ... very good video that provides very good ideas to visit in Shinjuku. Arigatoo gozaimasu. How far the Takashiyama and the other iconic department stores are from the Shinjuku station? Thank you

[@ungingbkk]

Thank you from Thailand 🇯🇵🇹🇭

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching from Thailand! 🇹🇭🇯🇵 I appreciate your comment.

[@bozenajencek]

Sunny days.

[@dipanjanmalakar4641]

Everyone's a gangsta untill two of the strongest men in history fight each other.

[@FrancisPresto]

You mean Fraudkuna vs Gojo

[@anasthasyasss]

Thanks for the Video! Very informative. Planning to Tokyo May 2023. But what about the weather? I read that typhoon hits Japan around May - October. Is it safe to visit Tokyo in the end of May? 🥲

[@tokyokenchan]

I love May! We got lots of rain in May 2022 which was unusual, but usually May is a good sunny season with fresh green before the rainy season that lasts June to mid-July. Most of the Typhoons come July to October. The weather is not in the same pattern recently so I can't really say about the weather, but at least you are safe from typhoons. Than you for watching and I wish you the best trip to Japan. :)

[@anasthasyasss]

@@tokyokenchan thankkksss Kenchan for the info! But the weather still chill and cold in May? Can’t wait to fly to Japan ! ✌🏻

[@tokyokenchan]

In Tokyo, you can walk around with short sleeve shirts and short pants. It’s warm and not too hot in May. 👍

[@anasthasyasss]

@@tokyokenchan thanks !!! 💃🏼

[@cherrylguimay6769]

Can you recommend an affordable hotel in Shibuya or Shinjuku? Thank you

[@MC-oi4mf]

Hello! 6:28 - Does this mean trains on the Yamanote line does not stop at Shinjuku station anymore? Do you know for how long? Thank you! :)

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello, sorry it was confusing. They have platform so Yamanote line stops everyday. They just don't have platform door for protection of passengers which other stations of Yamanote line have. Shinjuku Station is under going a large reconstruction, so it will be probably 5-10 years later that we can fully enjoy the station. Thank you for asking. :)

[@MC-oi4mf]

@@tokyokenchan Ohh - Thanks so much for explaining!! ♥

[@misiatan1183]

Hello Kenchan, can you help me, my son and I are going to F1 Race at Suzuka in September. How to get there the fasteat from Shinjuku Gyoemmae area?

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello. I'm not familiar with Suzuka area, but the fastest would be probably take Marunouchi line to Tokyo station, Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Nagoya, take Kintetsu line to Shirako station and take taxi. I hope you have a great trip with your family. :) www.suzukacircuit.jp/en/access/

[@1hunglow582]

How is the weather in march. I'm staying at the hotel gracery. Is that a good choice?

[@tokyokenchan]

The hotel in the middle of Kabukicho. A little far from station, but lots of places to eat around that is open till late, just make sure you don't follow someone try to guide you to restaurants. Weather is in transition period, early March is still like winter, but later March can get some warm days with windy, warm weather. 🌸

[@emilioooo9678]

What is the differenece between Shinjuku Shibuya and Roppongi?

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello. This video explain a bit about Shinjuku and Shibuya. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqTHkGxop56WaK8 Roppongi is a business area with two major upscaled shopping centers. It used to be a center for night clubs that foreign visitors hung out. Something interest tourists might be the Tokyo City View which is an observatory in Roppongi Hills.

[@tanletran7270]

which is the best 4/5 stars hotel in Shinjuku area & near the station

[@tokyokenchan]

In Shinjuku, that would be Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Keio Plaza applies. All of these are nice large hotels. :) They are going to open a new 5 star hotel called Bellustar in Kabukicho in May 2023.

[@akm6892]

Hello Kenchan I will be arriving at four p m in september and need to get to the keio plaza hotel by six. The hotel suggested Limousine Bus but it only runs once an hour. Is there a better way to get there faster and affordable? Arigatto gozaimasu!

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello. Are you arriving Narita airport? If so, arriving to Keio Plaza in 2 hours is a little challenging. If Haneda, it's possible, but all depends on how long it takes form getting off the plane to receiving your baggage. Either airport you arrive, Limousine bus or taxi is the easiest luggage wise, but when it comes to the cost and frequency, one idea is to take NRT-TYO bus to Tokyo statoin and change to JR Chuo line to Shinjuku station, which cost 1500 Yen. Narita Express may cover the frequency and skip the traffic in the evening, but it's as expensive as limousine bus. Hope you find a best way for you. :)

[@akm6892]

@tokyokenchan Hello again Kenchan Sorry I wasn't clear. I'll be arriving at Haneda Airport so what would you recommend for my situation? Thank you!

[@Drakorin101]

YES!THE GODZILLA HEAD IS SEEN!

[@hazeleyes3176]

Which is better for first time tourists, Ginza or Shinjuku please?

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello. I think it depends on your favor. As a place to stay, Ginza might be easier and cleaner to get around. Some people might find Shinjuku more fun. Nishi Shinjuku is quiet.

[@gimalu743]

Great video! Just, at some points the music is too loud and its hard to hear your voice. Maybe you can change that for the future, because I would like to listen to everything you have to say! :)

[@tokyokenchan]

Than you for your kind feedback for the video. I'll work on making the video better. :)

[@heroquijano]

Can i stay in shinjuku till the train opens at 4:30am?

[@tokyokenchan]

Yes, if you like to. It's cold in winter but there aren't anything you feel unsecured safety wise.

[@e.c.3844]

Shinzo Abe Former Japanese Prime Minister

[@n33oh]

This video would be better with bookmarks

[@skeletorrobo]

Shinjuku dungeon pub crawl? Shinjuku dungeon+ Dungeon crawl+ Pub crawl+

[@rexyjp1237]

Fun fact: the tourism ambassador of shinjuku is godzilla.

[@apoud201]

I’ll be visiting shinjuku next week with my husband… any recommendations for gay friendly New Year’s Eve party?

[@tokyokenchan]

That's great! I googled it and only found this one for the New Years eve. Not sure if this is something you are looking for. twitter.com/Gclick_jp/status/1606085152454897664

[@apoud201]

@@tokyokenchan thank you so much! We are very excited to be going back to Japan after 5 years. I’m from Canada and my husband is Korean.

[@tokyokenchan]

@@apoud201 san, oh that's exciting! I hope you guys have a great trip to Japan. :)

[@drewcorry5056]

If your in Kabukicho then find Charlie he will help Gaiijins like me, there are plenty of budget hotels nearby all year round [ including cherry bloom season and Christmas ] Under $$75.00US / some as low as $$25.00 US as long as you book a minimum of 6 wks in advance. 1 Word Outstanding

[@stevennorton485]

iesu replied, everyone who sins is a slave to sin, now a slave has no permanent place in the family but a son belongs to it for ever, so if the son sets you free you will be free indeed. kami sama wa anato wo ai shite imasu

[@emilioooo9678]

Do most restaurants in Shinjuku accept foreigners?

[@tokyokenchan]

It does exist but usually that is very small bars in Golden-gai, or LGBT zone that focus is communicating with other customers. As for restaurants, being honest, I don't know. I think you don't have to worry about it, but please do not follow someone standing on the street and ask you if you are looking for a restaurant.

[@e.c.3844]

安らかに眠ってください、安倍晋三 1954 2022 。

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

Shinjuku is crazy. The station is a labyrinth, the streets are crowded and loud, there’s a weird red light district that only Japanese people can use due to racism, people bring their little kids down the same streets where prostitutes and touts stand around soliciting. It’s crazy. I don’t recommend it.

[@VictorLugosi]

Let’s be real. It’s the Nigerian immigrants, and we all know it. The same problem in every country with the same group of people.

[@justjoy8355]

I am really enjoying your channel. And I will admit that I have been binge watching many other channels. 🤦‍♀️. Traveling to Japan in October and I want to be as prepared as possible. Hotel is in Ueno but I of course will visit Shinjuku. I love the detail in your videos. THANK YOU. Burning question: is paying a tour guide really necessary? It seems that everything is straightforward and organized. I can use apps for directions and translation, right? I don’t want to spend $$$ on guide unless it’s REALLY necessary. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you again!

[@tokyokenchan]

Hello, tour guide is good when you like to get deeper knowledge about history and cultural background about the place. There are plenty of information about Tokyo nowadays as you watched, you can also walk around the city as you like. :)