Morning: Shinjuku Gyoen and Culinary Experiences
9:30 AM: Meet at Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku Gate)
Begin your day with tranquility amid Tokyo’s urban energy at Shinjuku Gyoen. Despite its proximity to Shinjuku Station, this 58.3-hectare sanctuary offers sprawling lawns, forest paths, lush vegetation, and seasonal blooms—a refreshing retreat from city chaos. Ranked 8th among Tokyo’s most visited attractions by international tourists in 2023, this garden provides the perfect environment to stroll and rejuvenate.
A complete circuit of the grounds takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. You’ll experience a remarkable transition as urban clamor gives way to natural serenity, rejuvenating both body and mind. Free English maps and brochures are available at all entrance gates to guide your exploration.
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch Options for Gourmets and Anime Fans
After immersing yourself in Shinjuku’s greenery, choose between two distinctive lunch experiences:
For Food Connoisseurs: Ramen House Konjiki Hototogisu is one of only four ramen shops in Japan to earn a Michelin star. Their signature ramen features an elegant clam-based broth priced at a reasonable ¥1,300 per bowl.
The restaurant offers a convenient reservation system. From 9:30 AM, simply input your party size and preferred time slot on the tablet outside the restaurant. Scan the generated barcode with your smartphone to receive a confirmation email. If you arrive within 20 minutes of your reservation notification, you can secure a seat without waiting—a significant advantage at this popular establishment. It’s just a two-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen’s Shinjuku Gate.
For Anime Enthusiasts: The Italian restaurant “Café La Bohème” served as the filming location for the workplace of protagonist Taki Tachibana in Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 global hit animation film “Your Name.” Located just beside Shinjuku Gyoen’s Okido gate, this glass-enclosed venue faithfully recreates the film’s atmosphere, including the iconic staircase Taki descends while carrying dishes.
Lunch service begins at 11:30 AM with pasta dishes starting around ¥1,000. Additional salad, soup, dessert, and drinks incur an extra charge of approximately ¥700, but this remains excellent value for an atmospheric dining experience.
Post-Lunch: Instagram Moments and Urban Vistas
After lunch, take the Marunouchi Line from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station to Nishi-Shinjuku Station, a 5-minute ride.
About 250 meters from the station stands one of Shinjuku’s most photogenic landmarks, the iconic “LOVE” sculpture. Capture your perfect Instagram moment here before heading 350 meters further to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
The free observation deck, located 202 meters above ground, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo’s skyline. This complimentary experience provides exceptional value, especially compared to Shibuya Sky’s 230-meter observation deck, which charges ¥3,700 for entry.
Afternoon to Evening Options
Shinjuku Station handles an astonishing 3.6 million passengers daily, making it the world’s busiest transit hub. This remarkable flow of humanity has fostered diverse entertainment facilities throughout the area. To reach the entertainment-dense Kabukicho district from the government building, take the Oedo Line from Tocho-mae Station to Shinjuku Station. If you wish to visit Hanazono Shrine or Golden Gai (featured in our Instagram-worthy spots article) before entering Kabukicho, get off at Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Oedo Line.
Here are several enriching afternoon activities to consider:
Shopping and Window Shopping
Shinjuku hosts some of Japan’s premier shopping destinations, with most stores offering more extensive selections than their counterparts in other districts.
- Family-Friendly: Takashimaya Department Store offers comprehensive shopping suitable for all age groups
- For Women in Their 20s-30s: Lumine Est specializes in trend-conscious apparel and accessories
- For Women 40+: NEWoMan offers sophisticated fashion in an elegant atmosphere
- Art Supplies and Stationery: Sekaido features an unparalleled abundance of creative materials
- Practical Lifestyle Items: Tokyu Hands provides innovative solutions for everyday needs
- Bargain Hunting: Don Quijote Kabukicho is especially popular with Japanese youth and international tourists
Animal Cafés Offering Therapeutic Encounters
Shinjuku features various animal interaction spaces that have become immensely popular with international visitors, including cat cafés, dog cafés, owl cafés, and exotic reptile cafés.
Specialty Cafés with Unique Concepts
Discover café experiences that transcend ordinary coffee shops:
- Cinnamoroll Café: An official character café operated by Hello Kitty’s parent company
- Artnia: A gaming-themed café run by Square Enix, creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest
- Paul Bassett: A specialty coffee shop managed by a world champion barista
- Takano Fruit Parlor: Coffee prices range from 500 to 600 yen, offering exceptional value for world-champion quality that rivals or exceeds major chains at similar price points.
- Coffee House Lamble: A classic coffee house with rich history and a classical music atmosphere
Evening Options
All-You-Can-Eat and All-You-Can-Drink Establishments: From Budget to Premium
Shinjuku offers remarkable value through various all-you-can-eat concepts:
- Osusume-ya: 70 dishes and 70 alcoholic beverages for ¥2,000 (2-hour limit)
- Hina Sushi: Premium sushi all-you-can-eat for approximately ¥5,000
- Butcher’s Kitchen: Premium Japanese wagyu all-you-can-eat for ¥6,000
- Corona Girai: A unique establishment offering oden all-you-can-eat for ¥3,500
Luxurious Skyscraper Dining Under the Stars
Experience sophisticated dining 200 meters above ground in Shinjuku’s high-rises. While prices are higher, the exceptional cuisine combined with spectacular night views creates unforgettable memories.
Playful Concept Theme Restaurants and Izakayas
Experience whimsical dining concepts that transform meals into theatrical experiences:
- Zauo Fishing Restaurant: Fish from indoor tanks yourself, then have your catch prepared to your liking
- Fantasy Book Alice: Step into a wonderland inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tale
- Nanatiro Temari Uta: Time-travel to medieval Kyoto in this atmospheric venue
- Okuman Choja: Experience luxurious dining in an opulent golden environment expressing millionaire splendor
Late-Night Options
For those with energy remaining after dinner, Shinjuku offers distinctive bar experiences beyond typical drinking establishments:
- VAGABOND: A bar featuring live piano performances alongside substantial izakaya-style dishes
- Spirits Bar SunFace: Owned by a world champion tequila mixologist
- Live House 21st Century: A unique venue where you can enjoy karaoke with live band accompaniment
- Magic Bar CUORE: A cocktail lounge featuring professional magic performances throughout the night
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