20 NEW TIPS for Shinjuku, Tokyo – 2025

20 NEW TIPS for Shinjuku, Tokyo – 2025

(upbeat music) – Welcome back to “Tokyo Cheapo.” I’m your host, Aila, and today, we are showing you a bunch of new recommendations for Shinjuku. Some that you might not
have heard of before. Last year, we did a video on things to do in Shinjuku, but more commonly known places. This year, we’re covering more lesser known places, and personal recommendations as well. So, let’s go. (whimsical music) Shinjuku Gyoen is not the
only park in Shinjuku. We are at Shinjuku Central Park, which is right opposite of the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government building. And it’s just a nice patch of greenery with literally no one around. If you come here, there’s only kind of locals reading books, just chilling, hanging out. And it’s actually cooler, I would say, than other places, ’cause obviously, it’s not overcrowded. So I think this is a really nice place. I haven’t even heard of any guides talk about this place. I haven’t heard anyone
really talk about this place. So it’s kind of like a
hidden gem in Shinjuku, which is really hard to find in all of Tokyo, actually. You can hear kind of the
water in the background, very soothing, relaxing. I can literally see the west side of Shinjuku Station from here, So it’s really not that far. Oh my god, they have turtles. They literally have turtles. There’s so many of them. There’s swimming, oh, under the river, under the little waterfall. If you come here often enough, maybe you can create a
bond with the turtles, and they just recognize you. – [Shah] What would you do if you were a turtle? – I would just, I would swim, I’d sunbathe, I’d hang out with my friends. You have the gang and
you’re just chilling, and no one really bothers you. I think being a turtle’s pretty dope. (Aila laughs) It’s so quiet here, I just truly cannot believe that we’re in Shinjuku, in like, one of the most
crowded places of Tokyo, and it’s this quiet, like I’m like speaking in a little hushed tone now, because I feel bad for other people, but like there’s no other people. You can hear your own thoughts, you know? You don’t have to walk around and listen to other people
talking all the time. It’s like truly you and
yourself, and nature. And I think that’s so
difficult to find in Tokyo. And people say like,
“Oh go to Meiji Jingu, you can like walk in the trees in the middle of Harajuku,” and stuff, but I don’t think you
can compare it at all to like a place like this. We are currently outside Kumano Shrine in Nishi-Shinjuku, you would’ve never thought that there’s another shrine in this area, and as you can see, there’s absolutely no one here. So if you wanna see a shrine that’s not that crowded, come to Kumano Jinja. I’m sure you’ve heard of Nakameguro and Meguro River, but Kanda River, you should check it out. Kanda River is so
amazing for sakura trees, as well as autumn leaves, and it’s much less popular than the Meguro River, and stuff. So I’m sure if you go, there’s less people. It has become a little bit more famous, but still much less
popular than Nakameguro and Meguro River. So next time, you should go check that out. Another place is Meiji Jingu Gaien, which is a must-visit
during autumn leaves season. It’s really hard to kind of pinpoint when to see the autumn leaves, ’cause they’re always different. If you see that the
autumn leaves are peaking, then it’s just the easiest
place to go to in Tokyo. So must-visit, go check it out. So we’re at Creperie Shells Lai, you would literally miss this spot if you’re just walking down the street. I would not have found it unless, you know, I use Google Maps. This place actually was recommended by one of the “Tokyo Cheapo” staff, and she told me that if I don’t get this apple cinnamon cream, she would kill me. So we got the apple cinnamon cream. There’s so many other options as well. It’s actually on the street, it’s just so, so small. Like I was standing in front of the cart, and I could literally, my head would touch the top, and I’m 165 centimeters, so anyone taller than me would have some neck problems maybe, waiting for the crepe. Oh, the cinnamon. It’s so cute. Okay, first bite, let’s go. Mm, it’s kinda like an apple pie, but like crepe form, which is really good. I would say that, like the cream tastes much more, like Nama Cream, like it feels much more
homemade, I would say, than a lot of the other places, like you know, in Harajuku and stuff. It’s been here since 1996. So you know this, the Oji-chan has made probably thousands and thousands of crepes, so he knows what he’s doing. And there’s like a taco crepe, there’s pizza crepe, so for the people that
want some savory options, they also have it. Currently, we’re standing
in front of south exit of Shinjuku Station, and where we’re standing, you can see a selection
of department stores. Behind me, there’s NEWoMan, there’s also Lumine, there’s also Odakyu, there’s also the Marui Building, you can see a bit farther in the distance. The one that says, “OIOI.” There’s just so many department
stores to choose from. Usually, on Saturdays it’s very busy, because all the Japanese locals are going to these department stores, especially in the summer. In the previous video, someone asked where to
find high-end brands. We recommend NEWoMan and Isetan. They’ve got all kinds of brands like Chanel, Gucci, and if you’re not really
into high-end brands, go for the food, because they always have the food courts with great food. So my favorite is Lumine, it has all the stores I like, it’s cheaper, it’s just
kind of more my vibe. So if you can navigate yourself from the east exit, west exit, north exit, within the department store, you can probably call
yourself a Shinjuku pro. On the point of navigation. Don’t try to win against Shinjuku Station. You’re already beaten
before you arrive to Japan. So if you’re down there, just get out wherever you can, and use Google Maps because that is just the easiest way. The amount of times I
get to Shinjuku station, and I’m like, you know, this time, I’m gonna find that exit, and then I go out, and it’s the totally wrong exit, I’m like way far off. Don’t try to beat the station, just get out of there. Just find that exit, the nearest exit, and just get out of there. There are hundreds of
things to see and eat, or do around Shinjuku, let alone all of Tokyo. And we know planning can get overwhelming, so if you need some help, Klook has you covered. Booking things in Japan can normally be quite difficult, but you’ll be able to
browse through activities all across Japan in your home language, and easily use your
international credit card to book those memorable
moments you’re looking for. How about a bar-hopping tour through the neon streets of Shinjuku, or what about seeing a Sumo show? If you wanna go see Mount Fuji, then there’s something for you too. Klook also has regular flash sales and seasonal discounts, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for those on their website. Check out the link in
the description below to get started straight away on planning and booking your tickets on your PC or phone. Now we’re at Taito, a game center. if you’re in Shinjuku, the whole of east side is
filled with game centers. I personally like Taito the best. They have a whole floor for Purikuras and yes, I have talked
about Purikuras before, but it’s because I love it so much. If anyone comes to Japan visiting, I always take them to a Purikura place because memories, cute, fun. You probably want to win some games. They are kind of hard, though. I mean, you should try your luck. Obviously, everyone should try their luck, but if you don’t get what you want, you should head to Marui, fifth floor. Shah’s recommendation. In his opinion, it is the best hobby shop in Shinjuku. Apparently, there’s plush toys, video games, board games, CDs, I don’t know who buys CDs anymore, but they have it apparently, and it’s good price for being in Shinjuku, and better price than Akihabara as well, apparently. So go check that out if you’re not getting anything here, and you’ve already spent like 2,000, just go there. If you’re down by south
exit of Shinjuku Station, you should definitely
check out Sanagi Shinjuku. They have a large assortment of food, so many different cuisines. And they’re not that expensive considering being in Shinjuku, so it’s a nice little area, they have different restaurants, some events, popups, and it’s a nice vibe if
you wanna just chillax. If you’re into electronics and cameras, Yodobashi Camera is the place to go. We’re over by the west
exit of Shinjuku Station, and as you can see, a huge, amazing neon light, which is not very common anymore in Japan, they’re all getting
replaced by LED lights, so it’s kind of like a landmark. If you wanna get the neon sign, the retro feeling, you should come here. If you’re looking for used cameras or even new cameras, Kitamura Camera and Map Camera is right around the corner. Keep in mind, they do
close relatively early, earlier than Yodobashi, so don’t come here late in the night, expecting it to be open. If you’re someone who shoots film because you know, film and the retro vibe is in right now, or maybe you’re just as old as Shah. Then, (laughs) then you can bring it to
Yodobashi’s photo print store. If your film is from Fuji Film, then you can bring it to
this store by 5:00 PM, and get it developed and in a CD, all in an hour. You might have been a little bit confused why I said CD, but yes, Japan still uses CD. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed in the central Shinjuku area, then take a 15 minute
train ride to Kagurazaka. It’s got this really local unique vibe, and it’s great for food, delis, boutiques, even some vintage stores. If you want us to make a more detailed video about it, let us know down in the comments. We just had three different types of gyoza at Kakekomi Gyoza, near Shinjuku, right next to the Godzilla statue. It was super good. We had the vegan crispy gyoza, as well as the chili steamed gyoza, and a tomato cheese gyoza. Each, very different taste palette, the crispy one, super crispy. I did not expect it to be that crispy, it was like, I could hear the crunch as I was eating, really good, recommended. Even if you’re not a vegan, I think it’s a great option. Like if someone told me this was real meat or it was normal gyoza, I would’ve believed it. It was really good. The spicy chili one, I’m not a big spice fan, but it wasn’t that spicy. I could even eat it, and Shah seemed to like it as well. And finally, we had the tomato cheese one. It was exactly as I expected it to be. Basically ravioli, but gyoza. So if you’re feeling a little homesick, want some Western cuisine but wrapped in a Japanese box, then come here and get that ravioli. So out of the three gyozas that we got, we only spent 1,800 yen, which is pretty good value for the money, especially in Shinjuku. If you’re hungry in Shinjuku, and you wanna eat something, gyoza. If you want gyoza, come to this spot. It has so many different types of gyoza, not just your normal ones, so all types of options. If you’re feeling all-you-can-eat hungry, then Kushiya Monogatari
is the best place to come. It’s basically fried food
that you fry yourself. There’s a row of sticks and different types of
things on the sticks. You get it, you also get the batter and the bread, you make it yourself on your table, and you just fry it in the table. On the sticks, there’s vegetables, meat, and just so many other options. So, great. It’s a lot of food, and they’re not too big, so you just keep going at it. There’s also this like sausage with cheese filled in it, oh my God, it’s so good. It changes occasionally, so it’s never always the same, but they have so many other things, they have a great dessert, I don’t know if you can see, but there’s a chocolate
fountain behind me. (lips smooching) It’s great value for money, and if you want to eat a lot, this is a great spot, right underneath the Godzilla statue. If you’re around Shinjuku, and you need transport
to and from the airport, come to Kabukicho Tower. Right underneath, there’s a bus that goes straight to
the airport and back. If you’re trying to get
to Mount Fuji as well, there’s also a direct
bus from Shinjuku Station straight there and back. The bus takes around
an hour and a half-ish from Shinjuku Station
to Kawaguchiko Station. If you’re looking for the bus, it’s at the bus terminal where the new south exit is, which is around where a NEWoMan is. If you like character goods, I’m sure you’ve been to
Kiddy Land in Harajuku. Now there’s another one in Shinjuku. Kiddy Land is a staple of Harajuku, but it can get very crowded. So if it’s too busy over there, come over here. And if it’s too busy over here, go over there. We weren’t gonna put this in the video, but we were walking by, and we saw it, super new, so go check it out. On Sundays, this whole road, from Isetan, all the
way to Shinjuku Station, is pedestrian-only zones until 6:00 PM, We don’t know the exact time, so we’ll put it down in the comments, description around me. – [Shah] On screen. – During the pedestrian-only zones, it’s really nice to be
able to walk around, chill, jump around with your family, and not get hit by a car. So,
– You really like that line. (Shah speaking faintly) – I mean, pedestrian-only zone equals not getting hit by a car. Like do you see the amount of cars here and the amount of people? That’s like golden. That’s like the main thing, I think. For a great city view. Last time, we showed you the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Building, this time, Granbell Hotel. On the 13th floor of this hotel, there is a rooftop bar and terrace where you can enjoy an
amazing view of Shinjuku, as well as a drink from a wide menu, which are all very reasonably priced. A cityscape view of
Shinjuku is not very common, so this place is worth checking out, and it’s open until 10:30. If your thirst for gacha
has not been quenched, then come to Gacha Gacha
no Mori in Shinjuku. It might be a bit difficult to find, so go to Alpen Tokyo, take the stairs down
where the Subnade sign is, and it’ll be right on your left-hand side, you’ll hear the coin, so you’ll know you’re there. (whimsical music) Those were a few tips from us for when you come to Shinjuku. Let us know which was your favorite in the comments below. The one I personally think
you need to check out, is Kushiya Monogatari, if you are ready to eat. Like, comment, and subscribe, and we’ll see you next time.

Top 14 Things To Do in Shinjuku – https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/things-to-do-in-shinjuku/
Klook – https://www.klook.com/?aid=513&aff_adid=947706&aff_pid=&aff_sid=&utm_medium=affiliate-alwayson&utm_source=non-network&utm_campaign=513&utm_term=&utm_content=&aff_klick_id=89526363264-513-947706-627bab2

Shot & produced by @Anocam

Shinjuku is one of those areas that’s good for just about everything — sightseeing, shopping, eating, and drinking. With heaps of neon lights, noise, and crowds, it’s got a definite “Tokyo” vibe, but also has some peaceful spots, too. Today’s video has some of our recent recommendations for Shinjuku, day or night.

== CHAPTERS ==
00:00 Intro
00:25 1 – Shinjuku Central Park
02:12 2 – Kumano Shrine
02:26 3 – Kanda River
02:51 4 – Meji Jingu Gaien
03:11 5 – Creperie Shells Lai
04:24 6 – Shopping – Department stores
05:18 7 – Navigating Shinjuku Station
05:48 Need help booking your Tokyo experiences?
06:33 8 – Game Centers
07:04 Shah’s secret tip
07:34 9 – Sanagi Shinjuku
07:55 10 – Yodobashi Camera / Shinjuku West
08:28 11 Get your film developed
08:50 12 – Kagurazaka
09:07 13 – Kakekomi Gyoza
10:22 14 – Kushiya Monogatari
11:09 15 – Transit to and from the airport
11:17 16 – Bus to Mount Fuji
11:32 17 – New Kiddyland store
11:51 18 – Pedestrian Zone Days
12:24 19 – Granbell Hotel – Rooftop Bar
12:46 20 – New gacha store

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Creative commons images used in the intro:
* Gundam Robot Statue in Odaiba https://www.flickr.com/photos/picsoflife/8154554047
* Japanese Salaryman Asleep https://www.flickr.com/photos/istolethetv/
* Domestic Cat https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alvesgaspar
* Saraninman https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:%E7%AB%B9%E4%B8%8B%E7%AB%A0%E5%A4%AA%E9%83%8E
* Wild Cat http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34298
* Ginza Holiday Promenade https://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshikazut/
* Shibuya Crossing https://www.flickr.com/photos/31029865@N06/