Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's major secondary centres, built around Shinjuku Station, the busiest railway station in the world. It combines skyscrapers, department stores, government offices, dense nightlife and quiet residential streets within a single ward, so the area you choose to base yourself in changes the character of your trip considerably.
For a visitor, the practical division is simple: the districts east of the station are the historic entertainment and shopping heart, the districts west of the station are the skyscraper and business zone, and the neighbourhoods further north, east and south are largely residential with their own stations and local life. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation each one supports.
Best areas to stay in Shinjuku
1. East Shinjuku (around Shinjuku-sanchome and Higashi-Shinjuku)
The area east of Shinjuku Station, historically known as Naito-Shinjuku, holds the city hall and the flagship Isetan department store, and it contains several of the districts visitors come to Shinjuku for. It is the most convenient base if you want shops, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance of your room, and it connects to the station and to the Higashi-Shinjuku and Shinjuku-sanchome stations.
This suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be in the middle of things. Expect the widest mix of accommodation types here, from budget capsules and internet cafés to mid-range and luxury hotels. It is also the noisiest and busiest option, so light sleepers should weigh that against the convenience.
2. Kabukichō
Kabukichō is the red-light district, known for its variety of bars, restaurants and sex-related establishments, sitting near Seibu-Shinjuku Station. It is the choice for nightlife-focused travellers who want to step out of a room and into bars and late-night food, and it keeps you within easy reach of the rest of East Shinjuku.
Accommodation here leans towards mid-range and larger hotels alongside the district's entertainment venues. The trade-off is constant activity and noise; if you want quiet evenings, look at the residential districts instead.
3. Golden Gai
Golden Gai is a small block east of Kabukichō made up of tiny shanty-style bars and clubs, historically a gathering place for musicians, artists, journalists, actors and directors. Staying nearby puts you in one of the most distinctive drinking quarters in the city, a short walk from the station area.
This suits travellers who prioritise atmosphere and nightlife over space and quiet. Because it is a compact block of small venues, the surrounding streets are lively late into the night, and accommodation in the immediate vicinity is limited, so many visitors base themselves elsewhere in East Shinjuku and walk here.
4. Nishi-Shinjuku
The area west of Shinjuku Station, historically known as Yodobashi, is home to Tokyo's largest concentration of skyscrapers, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. It has a notable concentration of luxury hotels with views over the city, and most of these cater to business travellers.
This is the best base for business travellers and for anyone who wants a quieter, more polished stay while remaining close to Shinjuku Station. It is also where you find long-stay rental accommodation if you are in Tokyo for a month or more. Expect less street-level nightlife than the eastern districts and more office towers and hotel lobbies.
5. Shinjuku Ni-chōme
Ni-chōme is Tokyo's best-known gay district, a compact area of bars and clubs within East Shinjuku. It suits travellers who want to be at the centre of the city's LGBTQ nightlife and within walking distance of the station and the surrounding shopping districts.
As with the other eastern entertainment districts, the practical point is noise and late hours rather than distance; you are trading quiet for proximity to bars and restaurants.
6. Takadanobaba (Totsuka)
The northern portion of Shinjuku around Takadanobaba Station and Waseda University, commonly referred to as Nishi-Waseda, is a major residential and nightlife area for students and a commuter hub. It is a good base for budget travellers and longer stays, with a student-oriented bar and restaurant scene rather than a tourist one.
Accommodation here includes budget options such as ryokan-style lodgings, and the area connects to the centre via its own station. It is quieter and more local in feel than the districts around Shinjuku Station.
7. Yotsuya
Yotsuya is an upscale residential and commercial district in the southeast corner of Shinjuku. The Arakichō area is well known for its many small restaurants, bars and izakaya, which gives it a low-key dining scene without the intensity of Kabukichō.
It suits travellers who want a calmer, more residential base with good food nearby and a straightforward connection into central Tokyo. Mid-range chain hotels and business-oriented accommodation are the typical choice here, and the atmosphere is markedly quieter than the eastern entertainment districts.
8. Kagurazaka
Kagurazaka is a hill descending to the Iidabashi Station area, once one of Tokyo's last remaining geisha districts and currently known for hosting a sizable French community. It is the most atmospheric of the outlying options, with a slope of small streets, restaurants and shops.
This suits travellers who want a distinctive neighbourhood feel and are happy to commute to the main sights rather than stay beside them. Note the hill itself if walking is a consideration, and expect a quieter, more residential stay than anywhere around Shinjuku Station.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: capsule hotels, ryokan-style lodgings, affordable hotels with simple rooms, and internet cafés with small private rooms you can sleep in. These cluster around the station, in Takadanobaba and in the eastern districts.
- Mid-range: chain hotels and business hotels, often with a restaurant or bar on site and rooms priced by the single or double. Found in East Shinjuku, Kabukichō, Yotsuya and near the station.
- Splurge: large luxury hotels concentrated on the western side of Shinjuku, many with city views, business-traveller facilities and higher floors. Nishi-Shinjuku is where most of these are located.
- Long stays: rental accommodation is available, particularly in the Nishi-Shinjuku area, if you are staying a month or more.
Best area for a first visit
East Shinjuku is the best base for a first visit. It puts the city hall, the flagship Isetan department store, Kabukichō, Golden Gai and Ni-chōme within walking distance, and it connects easily to Shinjuku Station and to the Higashi-Shinjuku and Shinjuku-sanchome stations. You get the widest choice of accommodation types and the shortest trips to the things most visitors come to Shinjuku to see.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Shinjuku Station should I stay on?
The east side puts you among the shops, bars and entertainment districts; the west side, Nishi-Shinjuku, is the skyscraper and business zone with most of the luxury hotels. Choose east for convenience and nightlife, west for quiet and views.
Where should I stay if I want nightlife close by?
Kabukichō, Golden Gai and Ni-chōme are the districts built around bars and clubs, all in East Shinjuku near Seibu-Shinjuku Station and within walking distance of the main station. Expect noise late into the night.
Is there anywhere quieter to stay?
Yotsuya, Kagurazaka, Ushigome, Toyama and the Ochiai area are largely residential, and Takadanobaba is a student and commuter district. All have their own stations and a calmer atmosphere than the districts around Shinjuku Station.
Can I stay cheaply in Shinjuku?
Yes. Budget options include capsule hotels, ryokan-style lodgings, affordable hotels and internet cafés with small private rooms, with several concentrated near the station and in Takadanobaba.
Compare live prices for your dates using the booking tools on this page before you decide.