Accommodation in Shinjuku from AU$170

No matter where you go in Shinjuku, the fast pace of life here will shock you. But don’t worry, you’re in for the time of your life. This Tokyo ward has two sections. One is a main business district while the other is pure entertainment, and you’re guaranteed to have a blast in both. Bars to fit everyone’s tastes are tucked away everywhere from the wide main streets to small alleys on the east side, while skyscrapers with offices and shopping centres reach for the sky in the west. Shinjuku is a place that never sleeps. It’s not all concrete jungle though; here, you can walk also around the most beautiful gardens you’ve ever seen, under quiet pink cherry blossoms and past lakes as still as glass. Do you think you have wot it takes to conquer Tokyo’s liveliest ward? Book one of our Shinjuku hotels and find out.

The view from the top of the twin towers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a spectacular introduction to Shinjuku. The best time to go is sunset, when the sun disappears under a colourful sky, and the lights of Shinjuku’s thousand shops and signboards spring to life right in front of you.

Down at ground level the streets hum with life and you’ll get to see all the glowing signs up close. Almost everything above your feet will be competing for your attention with flashing lights, pictures and writing. Shinjuku’s restaurant scene is equally overwhelming, which has enough choice to make you dizzy. You’ll find specialties in everything from kebabs to sardines, but if you really want to splurge – and live on the edge – head to one of the upmarket seafood restaurants, which serve fugu (blowfish), an ingredient that is poisonous unless expertly prepared.

After that, you should hit the glowing sidewalks to take in the east side, even if you don’t plan on trying out the nightlife. Shinjuku is a hypnotic place just to look at and you’ll see something new on every block, especially in the Kabukicho red-light district, where curious sights that ignite your imagination are mixed with perfectly-normal shops and restaurants. Despite its reputation, even locals don’t hesitate to walk into Kabukicho, so just stay smart and you’ll come out feeling thrilled.

During the day, after the sea of office workers have grabbed their coffees and settled into their buildings, Shinjuku will feel strangely quiet, but there are lots of little secrets to enjoy. Lunch is the meal where you can really dig in because restaurants serve mouth-watering sets and dishes for a fraction of their dinner prices. Of course, you can also shop ‘til you drop in Shinjuku. The massive Isetan department store is the best for general shopping and like so many other things in Japan, it is impressive just to see. Gadget lovers will not want to leave Yodobashi, an electronics store that has whole buildings dedicated to watches, cameras, games and more.

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s busiest areas that you can’t help fall in love with. There’s a new experience at every turn and it all begins with a flight to Tokyo and booking your Shinjuku accommodation.