How to Spend ONE Day in Shinjuku, Tokyo: 1-Day Itinerary
Planning a short trip to Shinjuku? You’re in the right place!
This buzzing Tokyo district is the city at its most electric, where neon lights, quirky alleys, and sky-high towers collide in the best possible way. From peaceful gardens and epic viewpoints to foodie adventures and late-night bar hopping, Shinjuku packs an entire Tokyo experience into one neighborhood.
We’ve crafted this one-day itinerary that balances sightseeing, eating (lots of it!), and soaking up the area’s one-of-a-kind nightlife. Even with just a single day, you’ll get a true taste of what makes Shinjuku unforgettable.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Shinjuku was this food tour! We explored Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, and Kabukicho with our local guide and discovered tasty hidden gems, history, and authentic Shinjuku.
Check out the 5,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Itinerary Overview
Shinjuku is Tokyo turned up to full volume, a neighborhood that never really slows down. You’ll find skyscrapers brushing the sky, neon signs blinking late into the night, and little backstreets hiding ramen shops, izakayas, and karaoke bars. At the same time, Shinjuku can surprise you with its quieter side, from sprawling gardens to free observation decks with jaw-dropping views. It’s a place where modern energy and old-school charm sit side by side, making it one of the most exciting districts to spend a day in.
Getting around couldn’t be easier thanks to Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest transport hubs in the world. From here, you’re connected to almost anywhere in Tokyo and beyond. Within Shinjuku itself, walking is usually the best way to soak in the sights and atmosphere. For longer stretches, the subway is quick and efficient, taxis are easy to hail, and if you want to slow down the pace, renting a bike is another great option.
Breakfast: Grab some of the cutest pastries at Little Bakery At 3-chome.
Morning: Zip around Shinjuku on a go-kart tour, or live your best samurai life on a samurai experience.
Lunch: Try iconic Gyukatsu at Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku.
Afternoon: Visit the Shinkjuku National Garden, see the sights from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, or shop and play around Shinjuku Station.
Dinner: Taste your way around Shinjuku on this popular food tour.
Evening: Keep the energy going in Golden Gai, Shinjuku’s iconic nightlife area.
Day 1
Breakfast – Little Bakery At 3-chome
Before diving into a full day of neon lights, quirky streets, and unforgettable eats, it’s only right to start with something fun and delicious. Little Bakery At 3-chome is one of our favorite spots to ease into the energy of Shinjuku. Away from the station crowds, this cozy café serves up adorable themed pastries, from cartoon-shaped buns to decadent donuts, alongside excellent coffee. It’s the perfect mix of cute and tasty, and it sets the tone for the adventure ahead.
The bakery opens at 8 am (closed on Sunday and Monday), so you’ll have plenty of time to fuel up before the morning’s activities. If you’re joining the go-kart tour, you’ll love that it’s only a four-minute walk away. And while RITUEL LE GRAIN DE BLE makes a great backup option since it’s open daily, we think Little Bakery is worth the visit for both the treats and the vibe.
Morning: Option 1 – Zip around Shinjuku on 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.
The journey kicked off at 10 am, and we couldn’t stop grinning the whole ride! Cruising past Shinjuku Gyoen felt surreal, and then suddenly we were idling at Shibuya Crossing surrounded by thousands of pedestrians while people waved and snapped photos.
Zooming through Harajuku’s quirky streets and gliding past Omotesando’s luxury storefronts made the whole city feel like a movie set. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s one of the most unique ways we’ve ever explored Tokyo.
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. We finished up around midday, with one more Shinjuku activity to tick off the bucket list!
Rev your engines and book your Tokyo go-kart adventure here!
Morning: Option 2 – Get the ultimate samurai experience
If zooming through the streets of Shinjuku on a go-kart isn’t quite your style, here’s a completely different way to spend the morning, stepping back in time with this full-on samurai experience!
Starting at 10:30 am and lasting about an hour, this immersive class takes place inside a samurai museum, surrounded by armor, swords, and costumes that instantly set the scene. Even better, the instructors are professional actors who’ve starred in samurai dramas and films, so you’re learning from people who truly bring the culture to life.
You’ll suit up in a kimono and hakama, practice handling a real samurai sword, and even stage a simple sword fight. To top it all off, the class ends with music blasting as everyone teams up to take down “bad guys” together, it’s as fun as it sounds, and the energy is unforgettable.
The museum is about an 11-minute taxi ride from Little Bakery At 3-chome, so it’s easy to get there right after breakfast (taxis are simple to hail, red light means vacant, green means occupied). If this sounds like your kind of adventure, be sure to book ahead, as spots fill quickly!
I highly recommend booking this samurai tour in advance!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
Lunch – Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku
After an action-packed morning, it’s time to slow down and savor one of Shinjuku’s most famous bites, gyukatsu. Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku is part of a beloved Tokyo chain that specializes in this unique dish: breaded and deep-fried beef cutlet.
The twist? The meat is served lightly fried and still rare, and you get your own little hot stone at the table to finish cooking each slice just the way you like it. It’s interactive, fun, and incredibly delicious!
The restaurant is centrally located near Shinjuku Station, making it easy to reach no matter which morning activity you chose. If you went for the samurai experience, a quick taxi ride back is the easiest option, while from the go-kart tour it’s about a 14-minute walk (or a 7-minute taxi).
Be prepared for a short wait, this spot is popular, but we think it’s absolutely worth it. Try not to overindulge though, because a food tour awaits you later this afternoon! Expect to wrap up lunch around 2 pm.
Afternoon – Explore your way!
You’ve conquered the morning and refueled with gyukatsu, so now it’s time to explore Shinjuku at your own speed. The beauty of this neighborhood is that you can lean into whatever mood you’re in, chill, adventurous, or a little bit of both. Think of this part of the day as a choose-your-own-adventure through some of Shinjuku’s greatest hits.
- Stroll Through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – Ready for a breather? This garden is one of Tokyo’s prettiest escapes, with a mix of Japanese, English, and French designs that somehow all work together. It’s the perfect spot for a slow wander, seasonal flower viewing, or just sitting with a coffee while you digest that gyukatsu. Entry is about $3.50 USD (500 yen), and it takes around an hour to fully enjoy, though during cherry blossom season, you’ll need to snag a weekend reservation.
- Enjoy the views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – Want skyline views without spending a yen? Zoom up to the 45th floor of this skyscraper for incredible panoramas of Tokyo sprawling in every direction. On a clear day you might even spot Mt. Fuji waving at you from afar. It’s a quick visit (30–60 minutes), but one of the coolest freebies in the city.
- Shop and play around Shinjuku Station – Shinjuku Station isn’t just for trains – it’s a whole shopping and entertainment hub. Splurge at Isetan if you’re feeling fancy, or dive into Don Quijote for quirky souvenirs and snacks. And if you’re up for some fun, pop into a multi-floor arcade where you can test your gaming skills, or just get hooked on trying to win a plush toy from a claw machine.
Dinner – Taste 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.
Starting at 5 pm close to Shinjuku Station, our guide led us 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 incredible value and a tasty crash course in Japanese food culture. By the time it finished up around 8 pm, we were well and truly stuffed!
Check availability and reserve your Shinjuku food tour here!
Got extra days in Tokyo? Don’t miss our full blog on how to spend five days in Tokyo here for more incredible experiences across the city.
Evening – Keep the party going at Golden Gai
Your food tour wraps up in Golden Gai, which is basically nightlife heaven squeezed into a few tiny alleys. This pocket-sized district is packed with over 200 miniature bars, each with its own quirky theme, from jazz dens and whiskey spots to bars plastered with movie posters or manga art. Most places only seat a handful of people, so it feels intimate and a little bit secret, like you’ve stumbled into Tokyo’s coolest hideout.
After such a full day, you can linger here for one last drink, bar-hop your way through a couple of spots, or simply soak up the buzzing atmosphere before heading back to your hotel. However you wrap it up, Golden Gai is the perfect Tokyo-style nightcap.
Related Read: If you’ve got extra time, check out our favorite things to do in Shinjuku to add to this itinerary!
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 – $$$
Just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower is not only a super convenient place to stay, but its rooms also offer epic views of Tokyo! It’s sleek and modern, not to mention close to major attractions like the gorgeous Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
For us, this place wins in terms of location and comfort—what’s not to love? Double rooms at Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower typically cost between $230 and $400 USD (33,000 and 57,000 JPY) per night.
Check prices and availability at Booking.com!
Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku – $$
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 $150 USD per night for a double room and range up to $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 $120 and $200 USD per night.
Book this great-value hotel here!
Related Read: Looking for more options? See our Where to Stay in Shinjuku blog for the top areas and hotels!
Renting a Car in Japan
Japan’s trains are great, but if you want to explore rural areas, scenic routes, or off-the-beaten path hidden gems, renting a car offers unmatched flexibility. Driving in Japan is generally safe, with well-maintained roads and clear signage, though there are some unique rules and customs to be aware of.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare multiple provider prices, check company ratings, filter for the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
- Drive on the left: In Japan, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. The driver’s seat is on the right, and you’ll need to adjust to roundabouts and different road layouts. Take some time to get comfortable before hitting busy roads.
- Know the local rules: You must come to a full stop at “止まれ” (stop) signs, and pedestrians always have the right of way. It’s also mandatory for all passengers to wear seatbelts, even in the back seat. It’s also a good idea to brush up on the Japanese road signs before you go. They are mainly symbol based, and being able to recognize them will make your journey a lot smoother!
- Insurance is essential: We always recommend full coverage rental insurance—especially in Japan, where tight city parking, narrow village streets, and even wildlife on roads (like deer in Hokkaido) can lead to unexpected dings or damage. Discover Cars makes it easy (and affordable) to add this peace of mind when you book.
- Choose the right car: Roads and parking spots in Japan can be tight, especially in cities and older towns, so a small or mid-sized car is usually best. Discover Cars makes it easy to filter by transmission, fuel type (like hybrid), luggage space, and more, so you can find exactly what works for your trip.
- Watch for toll roads: Japan has an extensive network of toll roads (expressways). Tolls can be paid by cash or card, but it’s worth checking if your rental car comes with an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card for convenience.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Japan
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention. This is a must—it’s the only version Japan recognizes, and you’ll need to get it before arriving.
- A credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
- Most companies require you to be at least 18 years old, and some may require you to have held a license for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may face additional fees.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring the Japan on your own terms!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
One day is the perfect amount of time to see Shinjuku! We love this area because it blends Tokyo’s bustling energy, serene outdoors, and its amazing culinary scene into a few cohesive streets. This itinerary highlights the top sights, but I know you’ll find hidden gems as you explore too!
If you need help planning the rest of your trip, see all of our Japan blogs here! We have blogs about cities all over the country, including our favorite activities, itineraries, and our top travel tips. Here are a few related reads to get you started:
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