Shinjuku Area Guide

Shinjuku is the name of a ward, neighborhood, and not just one but numerous train stations in Tokyo. In this guide, we focus on Shinjuku's main residential neighborhoods from Okubo's Korea Town to street-wise Kabukicho north of the station to gentrified Shinjuku San-Chome east, then south to the high-end but relaxed areas near Shinjuku National Garden and Yoyogi, and west to Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo's Skyscraper District.

Shinjuku is the name of a ward, neighborhood, and not just one but numerous train stations in Tokyo. For good reason, most tourist guides focus on JR Shinjuku Station, the granddaddy of all train stations in Japan.

In 2016, an average of 3.37 million passengers passed through JR Shinjuku Station, making it the busiest train station in the world. If you add in the number of people using the underground passages connecting JR Shinjuku to the web of adjacent stations, the number comes to about 3.71 million, which is equivalent to the population of Yokohama City.

In this guide, we focus on the residential neighborhoods surrounding the greater Shinjuku area. With JR Shinjuku Station at the center, the main residential areas clockwise around the station are:

  1. North: Okubo — Tokyo’s most well-known Korea Town
  2. Northeast: Kabukicho — Gritty, touristy, nightlife
  3. East: Shinjuku San-Chome — Mid- to high-end residential
  4. Southeast: Shinjuku Gyoen — Bordering Shinjuku National Garden to the north — Desirable, relaxed, high-end
  5. Southeast: Sendagaya — Bordering Shinjuku National Garden to the south — Artsy, cultural, Olympic Stadium
  6. South: Yoyogi – Yoyogi Park, high-end residential, very popular with western expats, family-friendly
  7. West: Nishi Shinjuku – Tokyo’s skyscraper district, Shinjuku as presented in “Lost in Translation”

Contents

Location

Key Stats

Average Rent near JR Shinjuku Station

Apartment Type Average Rent ($1 = ¥110)
1R 1K ¥116,000/month ($1,050)
1LDK 2K 2DK ¥186,900/month ($1,700)
2LDK 3K 3DK ¥279,000/month ($2,540)

Apartments For Rent in Shinjuku

Train Lines

JR/Subway/Other Line
JR East  Chuo Line (Rapid)
JR East  Chuo-Sobu Line (Local)
JR East  Saikyo
JR East  Shonan-Shinjuku
JR East  Yamanote
Keio  Keio Line
Keio  Keio New Line
Odakyu  Odawara
Toei  Oedo
Toei  Shinjuku
Tokyo Metro  Marunouchi

Accessibility

Transportation to…  Line Time
Shibuya Yamanote, direct 7 min
Tokyo Chuo Line (Rapid), direct 14 min
Shinagawa Yamanote, direct 19 min
Roppongi Oedo, direct 9 min
Yokohama, Kanagawa Shonan-Shinjuku, direct 29 min

Orientation Around the Station

Which Shinjuku Station?

There are seven separate railway systems that operate trains stopping in the vicinity of Shinjuku and at least thirteen stations located in what could be considered the greater Shinjuku station area.

If you are a tourist or in Tokyo for a temporary work assignment, click here for Short term apartments in Shinjuku.

Long-term Apartments in Shinjuku: If you are looking for an apartment in the Shinjuku area for the longer term, it’s good to know the distinctions between the various lines and which “Shinjuku Station” you want to live near to minimize your commute time and the number of transfers you need to make.

  1. JR East: Shinjuku Station
    1. Is on the following lines: Chuo (Rapid), Chuo-Sobu , Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Yamanote
    2. Residential vibe: Super convenient, super crowded
  2. Keio Line: Shinjuku Station
    1. The western terminus of the Keio Line is in the city of Hachioji. If you live in the cities of Chofu, Fuchu, Tama, Hino, and Hachioji, you will be commuting into central Tokyo on this line.
    2. Residential vibe on the Keio line: Convenient, budget, student-friendly
  3. Odakyu Odawara Line: Shinjuku Station
    1. Shinjuku is the northern terminus of the Odakyu Odawara Line
    2. The Odakyu Odawara line will take you south through the posh neighborhoods of Shibuya and Setagaya Wards and onward to the hot springs resort towns of Kanagawa prefecture.
    3. Residential vibe: Outside of Tokyo, stations along the Odakyu Odawara line are suburban and relaxed
  4. Seibu Shinjuku Line: Seibu-Shinjuku Station
    1. Located north of JR East Shinjuku Station.
    2. About a 10-min walk to the JR East platforms.
    3. This is the eastern terminus of the Seibu-Shinjuku line.
    4. Residential vibe: Student-friendly (Takdanobaba Station), working class, budget-friendly
  5. Toei Oedo Line: Tochomae, Shinjuku Nishiguchi, Higashi Shinjuku
    1. Located in Nishi (West) Shinjuku. This station is in the heart of the skyscraper district.
    2. Residential vibe: Nishi Shinjuku is a concrete jungle, populated by white-collar workers in high-rise buildings
  6. Toei Shinjuku Line: Shinjuku, Shinjuku San-Chome
    1. Located in Nishi (West) Shinjuku, southwest of the JR East Shinjuku Station building.
    2. Shinjuku is the western terminus of the Toei Shinjuku line.
    3. Residential vibe: The Toei Shinjuku line runs the gamut of residential neighborhoods. Shinjuku is, of course, very central and commercial. The line first runs through the high-end neighborhoods of Shinjuku and Chiyoda Wards, then the working-class areas in the northern Tokyo Wards, and terminates at Motoyawata in Chiba prefecture.
  7. Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line: Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Shinjuku Sanchome, Shinjuku Gyoenmae
    1. Residential vibe: Suburban in the western stations, very urban once the line loops through Shinjuku. The main Marunouchi line goes from the western suburbs of Ogikubo in Suginami Ward through the popular neighbors of Koenji and Nakano, through to Shinjuku and then roughly in a clockwise route through Tokyo’s main hub stations.

Main residential areas

The main residential neighborhoods in the greater Shinjuku area can be roughly categorized into five categories:

  1. North and northeast: Convenient, urban, commercial, a bit gritty in Kabukicho
    1. Okubo is Tokyo’s Korea Town, Shin Okubo Station, Kabukicho is Tokyo’s red light district
  2. East: White-collar, mid- to high-end residential
    1. Shinjuku San Chome Station  Yotsuya Station
  3. Southeast: High-end, highly desirable, relaxed living near spacious Shinjuku National Garden
    1. Shinjuku Gyoen Mae Station
    2. Sendagaya Station
  4. South: High-end urban residential, further south is expat-friendly Yoyogi
    1. Minami Shinjuku Station
    2. Yoyogi Area Guide
  5. West: The Skyscraper District. Very urban, white-collar, high-rise living
    1. Tochomae Station
    2. Nishi Shinjuku Station
    3. Shinjuku Nishi-Guchi Station

Useful Info at a Glance

Supermarkets

Nearby Supermarkets Hours Address
Ito Yokado 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM 17-2 Tomihisacho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0067
Maruetsu 24 hrs 6 Chome-27-29 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Marushō Wakaba shop Mon. – Fri.: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sat.: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sun.: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM

 2-12 Wakaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0011
Kitchen Court 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM 11-1 Tansumachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0833
Kagurazaka KIMURAYA 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM 6 Chome-50 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0825
Ito Yokado Waseda 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM 74番 Wasedamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0042
Peacock Takadanobaba 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM 1 Chome-28-7 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0075

*This is just a selection of supermarkets in the area.

Gyms

Nearby Gyms Hours Address
Anytime Fitness Nishi-Shinjuku 24 hrs 8 Chome-16-2 Nishishinjuku, 新宿区 Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
JOYFIT24 Yotsuya 24 hrs 〒160-0004 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, 四谷２丁目１１−６ FORECAST四谷 2階
Anytime Fitness Kagurazaka 24 hrs 43-1 Enokicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0806
JOY FIT Nishiwaseda 24 hrs 〒169-0075 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Takadanobaba, 1 Chome−1−13 セントエルモ西早稲田2F

*These are just examples of gyms available in the area.

Universities

Nearby Universities Information
Waseda University Waseda University Home Page
Tokyo Fuji University Tokyo Fuji University Home Page
Tokyo Women’s Medical University Tokyo Women’s Medical University Home Page
Chuo University Law School Chuo University Law School Home Page

Language Schools

Nearby Language Schools Information Address
Arc Academy Arc Academy Home Page 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 7 Chome−18−16 東信西新宿ビル
Tokyo International Japanese School Tokyo International Japanese School Home Page 2 Chome-13-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Tokyo Central Japanese Language School Tokyo Central Japanese Language School Home Page 〒160-0016 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, 信濃町34 トーシン信濃町駅前ビル 4・5・6階
System Tōyō Gaigo Japanese Language School System Tōyō Gaigo Japanese Language School Home Page 3 Chome-11 Ichigayatamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0843
Yoshida Institute of Japanese Language Yoshida Institute of Japanese Language Home Page 1 Chome-23-14 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0051
Hotsuma International School Tokyo Hotsuma International School Tokyo Home Page 4 Chome-30-19 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0075
MIDREAM NIHONGO CHANNEL MIDREAM NIHONGO CHANNEL Home Page 2 Chome-7-11 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0073

*These are just examples of language schools in the area.

Ward Office, Police

Nearby Community Center/City Hall/Police Station Hours Address
Shinjuku City Office Main Building Mon., Wed., Thu., Fri.: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tue.: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Sat. – Sun.: Closed

 1 Chome-4-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8484
Shinjuku Police Station Mon. – Fri.: 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM

Sat. – Sun.: Closed

 6 Chome-1-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Shinjuku city Yotsuya Library Mon., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat.: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM

Sun.: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tue.: Closed

 87 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014

Hospitals

Nearby Hospitals Address
JR Tokyo General Hospital 2 Chome-1-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8528
Tokyo Medical University Hospital 6 Chome-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Tokyo Yamate Medical Center 3 Chome-22-1 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0073
Seibo Hospital 2 Chome-5-1 Nakaochiai, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 161-8521
Keio University Hospital 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8582

*These are examples of clinics in the area.

Parks

Nearby Parks Address
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
Shinjuku Chuo Park 2 Chome-11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Toyama Park 3 Chome-5 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072
Ochiai Central Park Baseball Field & Tennis Courts 1 Chome-2 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 161-0034
Otomeyama Park 2 Chome-10 Shimoochiai, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 161-0033
Kansen-en Park 3 Chome-5 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0051
Ōkuma Garden 1 Chome-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-8050
Tomihisa Sakura Park 21 Tomihisacho, 新宿区 Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0067

Family-Friendly Features

Nearby Family Friendly Features Address
Nishi-Shinjuku Children Hall 4 Chome-35-28 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Shinjuku Ward Yotsuya Children Hall 2 Chome-6 Yotsuya, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0004
Bentencho kids centre 36 Enokicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0806
Takadanobaba 2nd Children Hall 1 Chome-4-17 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0075
Takadanobaba Children Hall 1 3 Chome-18-21 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0075

Department Stores

Nearby Department Stores Information Address
Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku Home Page 1 Chome-1-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8001
Keio Department Store Shinjuku Keio Department Store Shinjuku Home Page 1 Chome-1-4 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8321
Shinjuku Marui Main Building Shinjuku Marui Main Building Home Page 3 Chome-30-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
NEWoMan Shinjuku NEWoMan Shinjuku Home Page 4 Chome-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Takashimaya Shinjuku Takashimaya Shinjuku Home Page 5 Chome-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0051
Lumine EST Shinjuku Lumine EST Shinjuku Home Page 3 Chome-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Isetan Shinjuku Isetan Shinjuku Home Page 3 Chome-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022

Shinjuku Apartments

Apartments for rent near Shinjuku Station:

 

Apartments For Rent in Shinjuku

Where should you live in Tokyo? Check out all our Tokyo Area Guides to find the perfect place!

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