Known for
The station’s east side at night: Kabukicho and Golden Gai. Against the tracks on the west, Omoide Yokocho. Farther west, the towers.
Night at the east exit
Shinjuku
Shinjuku · 新宿
east exit, Kabukicho, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho
At the station, Shinjuku splits. The east exit leads to the department stores, Kabukicho and Golden Gai: neon, a crowd, bars on the upper floors. The west exit runs toward the towers and the metropolitan government building. Omoide Yokocho is pressed against the tracks on the west side, a separate crack of yakitori counters.
Why go
At night, and from the east exit. By day the shops and the view from the western towers are there, but the neighbourhood is chosen for the night. Golden Gai is tiny bars, often with their own rules. It is not a viewing street.
Where to stay
The simplest base if you want trains in every direction and the night outside the door. Loud until late, especially at the east exit. Anyone after a quiet evening will feel cramped.
Local guide
Fedor Samorodov · guide
For the night, use the east exit. Kabukicho is just past the department stores, and Golden Gai is inside it, a few minutes on foot. Look for Omoide Yokocho at the west edge of the station, between the tracks and Ome-kaido. That is the other side, not a continuation of the eastern neon.
Where to have it
- Bar Benfiddich — Хозяин растит травы на семейном поле и поднимает их на девятый этаж, где мешает бокал веткой из того же сада. Скажите, чего хотите, и он соберёт напиток из того, что сейчас пахнет в банках.