Shinjuku: where to eat, stay, and what to see

Fu-unji

Location: Shinjuku Station - 5 min walk

Closed Sun & Holiday

Fu-unji is a beloved Shinjuku-area tsukemen spot famous for its dipping noodles and loyal queues.

Good points:

- Specialises in tsukemen — thick noodles served with a rich dipping broth on the side.

- Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo's busiest transit hubs.

- Order via a ticket vending machine; noodle portion upsizing is complimentary.

- Completely non-smoking and cash-based, with no reservations accepted.

- Closes early when sold out, drawing both locals and tourists who queue outside.

For visitors: Arrive early, expect a queue, and have cash ready for the vending machine — the shop closes once noodles run out.

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

Location: Shinjuku-gyoemmae Subway Station - 10 min walk

A ryokan-style hotel in Shinjuku offering a rooftop natural onsen with city views, within walking distance of major attractions.

Good points:

- Rooftop onsen delivers stunning views of the Tokyo/Shinjuku skyline.

- Located in a quieter part of Shinjuku, yet close to Golden-Gai and Kabukicho.

- Nearest subway station (Shinjuku-Gyoemmae) is roughly a 10–15 minute walk away.

- Rooms are clean and well-regarded by guests across multiple review platforms.

- Staff consistently praised as friendly and helpful by multiple reviewers.

For visitors: Pack comfortable walking shoes — the hotel sits in a calm pocket of Shinjuku, a short stroll from major sights and nightlife, with a convenience store directly across the street.

Shinjuku Kabukicho

Location: Seibu Shinjuku Station - 2 min walk

Kabukicho is Shinjuku's dazzling, neon-lit entertainment district, packed with restaurants, bars, and easy transit links.

Good points:

- Located just minutes from Shinjuku Station, making the whole city easily accessible.

- Surrounded by countless restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlors for late-night entertainment.

- Served by multiple train lines including JR, Fukutoshin, and Seibu-Shinjuku lines.

- Home to the iconic Godzilla landmark near the Shinjuku Toho Building area.

- Direct airport bus services to Haneda and Narita run from nearby Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.

For visitors: Head to the East Exit of Shinjuku Station and walk five minutes north along Yasukuni Dori to reach the heart of Kabukicho.