10 Best Things to do in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Planning a trip to Tokyo? You’re in the right place! 

While the city is full of incredible neighborhoods, Shinjuku is one of our absolute favorites. It’s where neon lights meet quiet side streets, where you can wander through skyscrapers one moment and find yourself in a hidden izakaya the next. 

We love how this area never really sleeps, there’s always something happening, whether it’s late-night ramen runs, early-morning walks through Shinjuku Gyoen, or an evening of bar hopping in Golden Gai. In this guide, we’ll share the best tours and experiences to make the most of your time here. 

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Things to do in Shinjuku

1.  Visit Mt Fuji and Hakone

Visiting Mt Fuji is a must while you’re in Tokyo! This day trip with pickup from Shinjuku to Mt Fuji was one of the best things that we’ve done in the whole of Japan. Yup, it really was THAT incredible! 

The itinerary was absolutely first class. We rode on a comfy coach out to Mt Fuji, and our first stop of the day was the 5th line station for views of the snow-capped summit. We also had lunch here, which was a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet that exceeded our expectations.

Things got even better in the afternoon, when we headed to Hakone for a ride on the scenic ropeway. We had the most incredible views of Mt Fuji, as well as the sulfur vents and hot springs in the Owakudani Valley. 

We then headed to Lake Ashinoko for a relaxing cruise on a huge replica pirate ship, with gorgeous views of Mt Fuji. Finally, we caught the bullet train back to Tokyo, which was an adventure in itself because these bullet trains are iconic! They’re aptly named, because we were back in the city within an hour!

We honestly loved everything about this tour; it’s really no wonder that it has over 22,000 5-star reviews! Booking it meant we didn’t have to plan anything, and we really couldn’t have done it any cheaper on our own.

2. Eat your way through Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a dream for food lovers, but with so many options, it can feel a little overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where this guided food tour saves the day! Over three hours, you’ll skip the guesswork and dive straight into the city’s culinary scene with 13 tastings across four local eateries. From sizzling skewers in a tiny izakaya to homestyle Japanese dishes, every stop feels like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Tokyo life.

We had such a great time wandering through Omoide Yokocho, ducking into places we’d probably never have found on our own. Kabukicho added a splash of energy with its neon nightlife vibe, and then Golden Gai rounded things off perfectly with its nostalgic alleys lined with pocket-sized bars. 

Each tasting came with a story from our guide, so it felt like we weren’t just eating, we were learning about the history and traditions behind each dish.

This tour is perfect if you want to sample a wide variety of flavors without the hassle of navigating menus or worrying about what to order. With 13 dishes and two drinks included, it’s an incredible value and a tasty crash course in Japanese food culture.

3. Take a sightseeing bus tour

There is SO much to see in Tokyo, and this full-day sightseeing tour with pickup from Shinjuku will help you to get your bearings in the city!

It’s honestly a must-do because it makes exploring this huge city so much easier. You’ll see so much in just one day, without spending hours planning and researching, and it has rave reviews!

You will visit so many iconic highlights, including the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Takeshita Street, which is the epicenter of the Harajuku fashion district. It’s a great spot to people-watch! Another highlight is a matcha experience at the Asakusa Palace. You’ll grind matcha and participate in a traditional tea ceremony, and try some matcha beer and ice cream (my personal favorite!). 

After lunch, stop by the iconic Senso-ji Temple, which is the oldest in Tokyo, and head up the Tokyo Skytree to enjoy panoramic views from the Tembo Deck. Finally, the day wraps up with a cruise through the Odaiba District. 

I highly recommend this tour if you’re short on time. It makes it so easy to visit must-see attractions, and exploring with a local guide is always our preferred way to see a city. Honestly, I’m not surprised that it has over 13,000 5-star reviews! 

The lunch was a delicious set meal that included karaage, aka Japanese fried chicken, in the grounds of the Asakusa Palace. I definitely suggest booking this tour for your first full day in Tokyo (and doing so before it sells out!).

4. Learn to cook local Japanese dishes

If you’ve ever wanted to go beyond tasting and actually learn how to create Japanese cuisine, this hands-on cooking class in Shinjuku is the way to do it. It’s part cooking lesson, part feast, and part cultural deep dive. You’ll whip up eight different dishes, including perfectly seared Wagyu beef, then sit down to enjoy it all with a glass of sake and a cup of green tea.

We’ve taken cooking classes in Japan before and loved learning tips, stories, and a few secret tricks along the way. This class kicks off with making dashi, the flavorful stock that’s the foundation of Japanese cooking, and from there it is non-stop fun. Cooking the Wagyu is definitely the highlight, the sizzle, the aroma, and then finally that melt-in-your-mouth bite. Heaven!

The small group size makes it super interactive, so you’re not just watching, you’re chopping, stirring, and laughing alongside new foodie friends. By the time we said “itadakimasu” (which basically means “let’s eat”), the table felt like a little family meal.

5. Zip through the streets in a go-kart

If you’ve ever dreamed of driving through Tokyo like it’s your personal racetrack, this go-kart experience is for you. Forget squeezing onto trains – over 90 minutes, you’ll zip through Shinjuku, Shibuya, and beyond in a go-kart, passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks along the way. With a guide leading the route, all you need is your international driver’s permit and a sense of adventure.

Not only is this a hilarious experience, but it also gives a unique vantage point of the city. Cruising past Shinjuku Gyoen, and zooming through Harajuku’s quirky streets and gliding past Omotesando’s luxury storefronts will make the whole city feel like a movie set. Of course, idling at Shibuya Crossing surrounded by thousands of pedestrians while people wave and snap photos is a highlight!

Because the group is capped at 10 people, it feels personal and safe, with your guide keeping everything organized so you can just enjoy the thrill. Whether it’s your first time in Tokyo or your fifth, nothing compares to seeing the city at street level like this.

6. Go bar hopping

Bar hopping in Shinjuku? Sign us up! 

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s busiest and most vibrant entertainment districts, so having a fun night out on this bar-hopping tour is a must! But honestly, it can be hard to even know where to start in this buzzing area, so it’s worth booking this tour so that you can enjoy a night out with a local guide.

Our guide, Fuji, was lovely and made the evening enjoyable for everyone! He took us to different izakayas, which were true local hotspots, not tourist traps. We started off at an old-timey bar in the nostalgic Omoide Yokocho alley, which we absolutely loved. Then, the second bar we visited was all-you-can-drink, and naturally, we took full advantage! 

Fortunately, we soaked up some of the booze with a bunch of different small plates and bar snacks, which definitely amounted to a full dinner over the course of the evening.

The final bar of the night was in Golden Gai, a spot famous for its tiny, old-school bars. This place is a real hub for celebrities, and it’s basically THE place to be on a night out in Tokyo! 

7. Get the full Samurai experience

Samurai are one of the most famous symbols of Japanese culture, and this Samurai Experience in Shinjuku is the best way to learn and get to practice using an actual samurai sword! 

This is an unforgettable and completely unique experience. The class takes place in a samurai museum, with swords, costumes, and armor on display all around us. Better still, the teachers were professional actors who had appeared in Japanese samurai TV dramas and movies.

The team is incredibly hospitable and will teach you all about samurai culture, as well as teach battle skills. You’ll get to put on a kimono and hakama, and then learned how to hold and wield real samurai swords!

After learning the basics, you will get to perform a simple sword fight, and to finish off the class, putting your new skills to the test!

8. Taste all kinds of sake

If you’ve ever stared at a sake menu and felt completely lost, this tasting experience is the ultimate shortcut. Over 90 minutes, a sake sommelier walks you through 6–7 different styles, showing you how to sip them properly, what foods they pair with, and even how to crack the code on those mysterious labels. By the end, you’ll feel like a sake pro (and maybe a little buzzed too!).

Our host Aki made the whole session a blast. He welcomed us into a bar tucked right next to Louis Vuitton in Shinjuku, so yes, you’re sipping sake just steps from high fashion! Each pour came with tips, stories, and a few laughs as he explained which sake to drink warm, which to chill, and which ones to just savor slowly. We tried everything from light and crisp to rich and full-bodied, and the surprise bottles that “you can only taste in Japan” made it feel extra special.

This isn’t a stiff, serious tasting; it’s fun, interactive, and packed with those little insider secrets you’ll want to show off back home. Plus, the side chats about Kabukicho and Golden Gai nightlife added just the right amount of Tokyo flavor.

Ready to explore more of Tokyo? Our detailed guide on how to spend five days in Tokyo will help you plan the perfect trip.

9. Snap iconic photos with a pro photographer

Tokyo at night feels like stepping into a movie set, with bright neon signs, hidden alleyways glowing in color, and crowds spilling across Shibuya Crossing. This 2.5-hour photography experience captures all of that magic while giving you professional photos to take home! 

Guided by a local photographer, you’ll explore Shinjuku, Golden Gai, and Shibuya, with stops at some of the city’s most photogenic spots. Best of all, you’ll receive 20 edited shots so you can relive the night long after your trip.

Exploring with a local photographer will feel like having a backstage pass to the city. They knew exactly where the light hit just right in Golden Gai’s narrow lanes and how to frame the chaos of Kabukicho’s neon signs. 

Posing at Shibuya Crossing is a must and the kind of pinch-me moment that captures Tokyo’s energy in a single shot. Between snaps, the photographer will regale you with stories about the neighborhood and even pop by a local bar for a drink, which gives the whole evening a friendly, relaxed vibe.

This tour is perfect if you want memories that are more than just selfies. You’ll discover corners of Tokyo you’d never stumble upon solo, all while walking away with stunning photos that look straight out of a magazine.

10. Indulge in a sake and wagyu pairing

Wagyu and sake? Yes, please! This three-hour feast in Shinjuku is basically a dream come true for food lovers. You’ll tuck into an 8+ course menu where every dish stars melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef, prepared in all kinds of ways, grilled, seared, simmered in hotpot, even tataki-style. And because wagyu deserves the perfect partner, each course is paired with sake, from silky traditional brews to quirky cocktails designed to make the flavors pop.

We couldn’t get enough of the variety on offer. One moment, we were savoring wagyu tongue alongside a zingy sake cocktail, the next we were digging into buttery sirloin with a creamy nigori sake.

By the time the wagyu hotpot arrived, it felt like the ultimate comfort food with a gourmet twist. And just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, dessert came with a cheeky sake surprise that made us smile all over again.

What makes this so fun is that it’s indulgent without being stuffy. The hosts explain everything in a relaxed, friendly way, so you’re learning while laughing and eating like royalty. It’s part dinner, part masterclass, and completely unforgettable.

Related Read: Check out our one-day Shinjuku itinerary to maximize your time and check off as many of these top activities as you can!

Where to Stay in Shinjuku

Finding the right place to stay in Shinjuku makes exploring this buzzing district so much easier. From sleek high-rises with neon views to cozy spots tucked away near quiet side streets, there’s something here for every type of traveler. Here are some of our favorite places to base yourself.

Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower – $$$

Just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower is not only a super convenient place to stay, but its rooms also offer epic views of Tokyo! It’s sleek and modern, not to mention close to major attractions like the gorgeous Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

For us, this place wins in terms of location and comfort—what’s not to love? Double rooms at Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower typically cost between ¥34,500 and ¥60,000 ($230–$400 USD) per night. Check prices and availability at Booking.com!

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku – $$

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku is a slick hotel just a short walk from Shinjuku Station’s south exit. It’s modern, clean, and caters well to both tourists and business travelers. The rooms are compact, which is standard in Tokyo, but they’re well-designed and quiet with comfortable beds.

The location is a major perk of staying here. You’re just steps away from train lines, shopping malls, museums, and convenience stores. Plus, you can change or cancel your booking up to three days before your stay. All in all, we think this place offers great value for money!

Rooms here start at ¥22,500 ($150 USD) per night for a double room and range up to ¥82,500 ($550 USD) per night for a triple room. Check availability and book your stay here!

Hotel Queen Annex – $

Hotel Queen Annex is a quirky and budget-friendly hotel just east of Shinjuku Station. Despite its affordable price tag, they really deliver the VIP treatment. You get welcome drinks on arrival, and there’s an impressive range of beauty products in the bathroom. This place was definitely designed with female travelers in mind! 

The hotel is within walking distance of the station, the Hanazono Shrine, the National Garden, and Omoide Yokocho. Basically, Tokyo is your oyster when you stay here! Rooms here cost between ¥18,000 and ¥30,000 ($120–$200 USD) per night. Book this great-value hotel here on Booking.com!

Related Read: Looking for even more options? Let us do the planning and check out our full guide on the best areas and hotels to stay in Shinjuku!

Thanks for reading!

In a city as massive as Tokyo, it can easily become overwhelming! That’s why we love basing ourselves in Shinjuku, as there is plenty to do right at your fingertips. Whether you’re racing go-karts along the street, sipping on sake, or learning some history with a local guide, you’ll see the best of Shinjuku!

Need help planning the rest of your trip? See all of our Japan blogs here! We have itineraries, top things to do, and where to stay guides ready to help you plan an unforgettable holiday. Here are a few related blogs to get you started:

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Where to Stay in Shibuya, Tokyo: 6 Best Areas & Hotels

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Tokyo: 3-Day Itinerary

The 6 Best Onsen Hotels in Tokyo