Shinjuku Ward Guide

Home to the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku Ward is a heavily developed urban area that could be considered to be a city unto itself. Within the boundaries of the ward are pockets of residential neighborhoods with many charms. These include: Nishi-Shinjuku, Yotsuya, Takadanobaba, and Ochiai.

Home to the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku Ward is a heavily developed urban area that could be considered to be a city unto itself. The neighborhood around Shinjuku Station is a living mass of corporations, restaurants, housing, and parks. Well-known for its array of famous and popular locations such as: Golden Gai (a group of alleys packed with rows of uniquely-themed bars) and Shinjuku Gyoen Park (an expansive, well-maintained park in the middle of downtown Tokyo combining Japanese, English, and French garden styles). Within the boundaries of the ward are pockets of residential neighborhoods with various charms, including: Nishi-Shinjuku, Yotsuya, Takadanobaba, and Ochiai.

Contents

Shinjuku quick facts

  • Population: 346,162 (as of January 1, 2019)
  • Area: 18.23 km²
  • Density: 18,989 (/km²)
  • Population of foreign residents: 43,068 (12.4% of total population of Shinjuku)
  • About 9.2% of the total resident foreigner population of the Tokyo 23 Wards lives in Shinjuku.

Major train stations

Station Train Lines
Shinjuku  JR Chuo Line (Rapid)
 JR Chuo-Sobu Line (Local)
 JR Saikyo Line
 JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line
 JR Yamanote Line
 Keio Line
 Keio New Line
 Odakyu Odawara Line
 Toei Oedo Line
 Toei Shinjuku Line
 Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Takadanobaba  JR Yamanote Line
 Seibu Shinjuku Line
 Tokyo Metro Tozai Line

Main residential neighborhoods

Shinjuku Ward ranks high for

  • Diversity of entertainment and nightlife available near Shinjuku Station
  • Shinjuku Station is serviced by many train and subway lines for getting around Tokyo easily
  • Many company headquarters can be found in the business district of Nishi Shinjuku.

Who lives in Shinjuku Ward?

  • Many students and young professionals enjoy the convenience of Shinjuku Station.
  • Families prefer the residential feel of neighborhoods like Yotsuya.

Popular housing searches in Shinjuku Ward

Location and highlights

Shinjuku Ward is one of the central wards of Tokyo. To the east lies Chiyoda; the northern border of Shinjuku rests against Bunkyo and Toshima; Nakano is to the west, and Shibuya and Minato are to the south.

As this station is serviced by more than 10 train lines spanning 36 platforms (53 if you include platforms you can transfer to without having to leave the station), there’s a slight learning curve when attempting to understand the ins and outs of its 200+ exits. However, the massive upside to this station is the sheer number of direct trains you can take around the city. It’s a huge boost to livability when you’re using the trains every day.

The neighborhoods around the ward are quite varied: Nishi-Shinjuku contains the highest concentration of skyscrapers per meter squared in Tokyo; Takadanobaba is home to the prestigious Waseda University and has a college-town feel; Shin-Okubo is often considered Tokyo’s Koreatown with its large population of Korean descendents; and Yotsuya is a quiet, charming neighborhood between Shinjuku Station and the Imperial Palace.

Breaking down Shinjuku’s many neighborhoods even further: to the west lies Yotsuya, a very calm and laid-back neighborhood in the heart of Tokyo. Moving north from here (along Shinjuku’s border against Chiyoda Ward) you’ll encounter the Ichigaya, Iidabashi, and Kagurazaka neighborhoods. These well-known neighborhoods are located practically in the middle of Tokyo, and Iidabashi in particular (although technically lying in Chiyoda Ward) is a hub station with plenty of train lines for getting around Tokyo easily.

Overall, Shinjuku isn’t just the downtown mega-metropolis that we have accustomed to seeing portrayed in movies and TV shows. There are relaxed neighborhoods within this ward which could fit the bill for those who like being close to the heart of excitement, but would rather live somewhere a tad quieter.

Apartments for Rent in Shinjuku Ward

Properties for Sale in Shinjuku Ward

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