Shinjuku Walking Tour

• Destinations

• Kabukicho
  Japan’s pre-eminent red light district. A sea of neon, restaurants, and bars. Though famous for its nightlife, this area is home of Godzilla Street and is one of Japan’s most famous photo spots!
• Shinjuku Gyoen
  This splendid Japanese garden is built on the remains of a feudal lord’s palace. It changes all year round, but is especially beautiful in spring and autumn. Some sections of the original Edo Period (1600-1868) garden are still intact. This makes it special among Tokyo’s many contemplative gardens.
• Hanazono Shrine
  Formerly a local shrine dedicated to rice production, this shrine first appeared in the historic record in the 1590’s, but no one knows who built it or when. It’s associated with feudal lord’s gardens that became Shinjuku Gyoen.
• Kusama Yayoi Museum
  This new museum features over 600 of the artists works, including an entire floor dedicated to a single installation. Daily admission is limited, so I have book this in advance.
• Samurai Museum
  In the heart of Kabukicho, this private museum gives you a crash course in samurai culture. It features real armor, weapons, and demonstrations. You can dress up in armor and kimono too!
• Korea Town
  Originally, home of the shogun’s ninjas and musketeers, then just a neighborhood of ethnic Koreans, now Shin-Okubo is Japan’s most awesomest Korea town.
• Taiso-ji
  Funerary temple of the Naito clan, lords of Takato Domain. It’s home to the Baby Eating Enma statue and hosts a small museum of cool things excavated from the graveyard after the temple was destroyed in the 1945 Tokyo Firebombing.
• Jokaku-ji
  One of many nagekomi-dera (throw away temple) where Edo Period courtesans (sex workers) were buried in mass graves.

Popular Add-ons

• Record Shopping
  In Shinjuku Nishiguchi, there are a few record stores specializing in Reggae/Dub, Punk, and Visual Kei.
• Maid Café
  If you’re in Japan, you must go at least once. It’s the wackiest, Only-in-Japan™ experience you can ever imagine. I know a spot in Shinjuku proper, or we can hop over to otaku-mecca Nakano for another place.
• Takano Fruits Parlor
  All-you-can-eat high end fruit. This is pure food hedonism that you don’t have to feel guilty about.
• Omoide Yokocho
  Translated as “Memory Lane,” this tiny alley is a remnant of Tokyo’s postwar era. It’s a nice place to have a beer or pre-dinner snack. Photographers will definitely want to give it at least a walk through.
• Golden-gai
  Translated as Golden Town, this is a grimy collection of postwar era bars that was formerly a licensed pleasure quarters until the Occupation shut it down. Now it’s one of a handful of such disappearing neighborhoods.
• Oiwake Dango
  In the Edo Period (1600-1868), this was a post-town. Travelers would grab one of these traditional sweets as a snack for the road. People returning would by packages as souvenirs for friends and family.
• The Robot Restaurant
  I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so please let me know if you’re interested!
• Nakano Broadway & Nakano Sun Mall
  This shopping area and its associated alleyways is a great blend of old Tokyo and modern suburb. It’s most famous for being the original epicenter of Japan’s otaku culture – before Akihabara!
• Animate
  If there’s no time for Nakano Broadway, we can always check out this shop specializing in manga, anime, and related goods.
• Geek Out on Haunted Spots
  Fans of the original JapanThis! website may be interested in visiting sights relating to the dark story of Suzuki Kuro and the haunted bridge of Yodobashi.
  
  

• Services

• Fixer
• Guide
• Liaison
• Historical consultant
• Interpreter
• Wingman
• Shoulder to cry on