Introduction to Shinjuku – Tokyo’s Pulse in One District
Welcome to Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and dynamic neighborhoods. Known for its skyscrapers, neon-lit nightlife, endless shopping, and serene gardens, Shinjuku brings together all the contrasting faces of modern Tokyo in one place.
Whether you're looking for fashion, food, entertainment, or a quiet moment in nature, Shinjuku offers something for everyone. From the bustling Kabukicho nightlife to the calm beauty of "Shinjuku Gyoen" National Garden, this district is a must-see for both first-time and repeat visitors.
Shinjuku is not just a stop on your trip—it’s where you can truly feel the heartbeat of Tokyo.
It can be a bit of an adventure, but even at night it is safe.
The streets of Tokyo as a whole are chaotic, but Shinjuku is a prime example.
Even Japanese people sometimes end up in different places from their intended exits, such as train stations and underground shopping malls, which are sometimes compared to dungeons.
For example, individuals have created games like this. -ShinjukuDungeon- iOS / Androido
Even the Japanese consider it a dungeon.
Shinjuku Station Underground Passage Map (You may not think it's a big deal, but in reality you won't know where you are. You won't even know if you're underground or above ground.)
🚉 How to Get to Shinjuku
Shinjuku Station is one of the busiest railway hubs in the world and is extremely well-connected by multiple train lines. Here are the main access options:
| From | Train Line | Travel Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station | JR Chuo Line (Rapid) | ~14 minutes | ¥210 |
| Shibuya Station | JR Yamanote Line | ~7 minutes | ¥160 |
| Akihabara Station | JR Sobu Line (Local) | ~19 minutes | ¥180 |
| Narita Airport | Narita Express (N'EX) | ~85 minutes | ¥3,250 |
| Haneda Airport | Keikyu Line → Toei Subway | ~50 minutes | ¥700–1,000 |
✅ Tip: Follow signs for your exit carefully—Shinjuku Station has over 200 exits, each leading to different areas (e.g., Kabukicho, West Exit skyscrapers, South Terrace, etc.)
-Train guidance site to the station you want to visit
🌟 Best Spots in Shinjuku for Anime, Hobby & Pop Culture Fans
🦖 1. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (a.k.a. “Godzilla Hotel”)
Located in the heart of Kabukicho, this hotel is famous for its giant Godzilla head peeking out from the rooftop.
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Some rooms offer a “Godzilla View” with themed interiors.
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Godzilla roars and lights up at scheduled times each day — a must-see for movie fans!
*Unfortunately, as of July 2025, entry to the terrace with Godzilla Head is prohibited for the time being.
For more information, click here.
🛍️ 2. Godzilla Store (Inside Shinjuku Marui Annex)
This is the world’s only official Godzilla merchandise shop.
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You’ll find exclusive items like figures, posters, apparel, and limited-edition collectibles.
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English signage is available, making it easy to shop even for overseas fans.
Tip: Shinjuku Marui Annex is not only a gojira store, but also a Cinnamoroll café, a store operated by game maker miHoYo, a store directly operated by a figure maker, a second-hand figure store, a trading card store, and other stores that will make you stay longer if you like.
🎮 3. Kabukicho – Real-life “Kamurocho” from the Like a Dragon (Yakuza) Game Series
Kabukicho is the real-world inspiration behind “Kamurocho,” the fictional city in SEGA’s Yakuza (Ryu ga Gotoku) game series.
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Many streets and buildings are faithfully recreated in the games, making it a pilgrimage site for fans.
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Visit at night for the full neon-lit experience — it feels just like stepping into the game.
📺 4. City Hunter – Classic Anime Set in Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the home turf of Ryo Saeba, the main character in the classic 80s–90s anime City Hunter.
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Locations such as the west side of Shinjuku Station and the skyscraper district appear frequently in the series.
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The recent City Hunter: Angel Dust movie has brought new attention to these familiar sights.
🎬 5. Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) – Real Locations Around Shinjuku
Makoto Shinkai’s global hit Your Name features scenes set around Shinjuku.
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Key spots include the Shinjuku Police Station intersection and Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower.
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Fans often visit these areas for photo recreations and anime pilgrimages.
📚 6. Kinokuniya Bookstore (Shinjuku Main Store)
One of Japan’s largest bookstores.
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The basement floor offers a rich collection of anime artbooks, official guides, manga, and light novels.
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Some English-language and translated editions are available for international visitors.
🧸 7. Yodobashi Camera (Hobby & Toy Building – West Exit)
While famous for electronics, Yodobashi also has a dedicated Hobby Building.
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Discover Gundam model kits, capsule toys, anime figures, and more.
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Many items are tax-free, and multilingual assistance is available.
🧸 8. Bic Camera (East Exit, West Exit)
The latest items such as home appliances, game consoles, figures, plastic models, etc. can be purchased at low prices on the strength of large stores.
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Discover Gundam model kits, capsule toys, anime figures, and more.
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Many items are tax-free, and multilingual assistance is available.
- If you use our “Kawaii e-Sim” service, you will get a big discount coupon for “Bic Camera”, which sells the latest figures, model kits and game-related items.
Let me also personally mention the following as others.
-There is a building where the game maker "Square Enix" is based (as of July 2025). (As of July 2025)
There is an official Square Enix character goods store "ARTNIA" near the building, which is visited by fans of the company's works.
*Although it is not official information, the King's City of Lucis in Final Fantasy 15 is clearly modeled after Shinjuku. The King's building is modeled after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. There are several aspects of the streets and roads that could be considered references to actual locations.
The underground station is also thought to be modeled after Shinjuku Station.
-The title of “Jujutsu Kaisen: Shinjuku Showdown Arc” is true to its title, with many real-life locations and buildings depicted in the work, and those who know the comics will be able to recall that these are the places where they fought and where they were based. There are points where those who are familiar with the comics can indulge in reminiscing.
There are also many other spots such as “Tokyo Ghoul”, “Fate”, and many others that cannot be introduced here.
📝 How to Enjoy Shinjuku as an Anime & Hobby Fan
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Morning: Explore “Your Name” real-world locations
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Afternoon: Visit Yodobashi or Bic Camera. Next, visit Shinjuku Marui Annex to look around the gojira store and figure store.
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Evening: Dive into Kabukicho, just like in Like a Dragon or City Hunter
All these locations are within walking distance from Shinjuku Station, making it easy to plan a full-day itinerary for anime and pop culture lovers.
and
Actually, our "animota" store is operated in a building near Shinjuku-Gyoen station. (Our warehouse is in a different location).
*We are an online store, so we do not have a physical store.
If you are visiting Shinjuku, you may have passed me by.
I would be very happy if you could enjoy exploring Shinjuku more, whether you have never been here before or have been here before.
