6 Reasons Shinjuku Is One of Tokyo's Most Exciting Areas

Shinjuku is a bustling metropolis in central Tokyo. With an estimated 337,500 residents, it has the largest international population in the Tokyo area.

Why do so many students like studying in Shinjuku? Beyond being a major commercial hub packed with shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and some of Tokyo's tallest buildings, the district also has plenty of scenic green parks where you can unwind after lectures.

Need more convincing? Here are six reasons Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's most exciting districts.

Shinjuku has some of the best transport links in the world

Shinjuku offers students plenty to enjoy, and its transport connections are second to none, making it easy to travel around Japan in your free time.

Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest railway station, serving more than 3 million passengers every day. The station has 13 train lines and acts as a gateway between central Tokyo and the surrounding suburbs.

If you want to leave Shinjuku for a trip, the through services let you board the Shinkansen at Ueno, Tokyo, and Shinagawa stations.

On the roof of the station is a handy spot: Busta Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's main long-distance highway bus terminals.

The district's skyscrapers offer incredible views over Tokyo

To the left of Shinjuku Station is the district's skyscraper area. Here you'll find some of Tokyo's tallest buildings. Many are hotels, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building stands out, with its two towers rising 243 meters.

Take the elevator to the 45th floor of this impressive building, and you'll be rewarded with incredible views over Tokyo.

If you're a film fan, it is worth visiting the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which is famous for appearing in the 2003 film Lost in Translation. Thousands of visitors come to this famous hotel and its bar lounge every year, making them popular Shinjuku landmarks.

If you're after a meal with a view, you may want to check out the restaurants on the upper floors of the district's skyscrapers, which offer incredible city views. If heights are not your thing, head to the lower floors, where you'll still find a wide selection of bars and restaurants.

Shinjuku has plenty of food on offer

If dining in skyscrapers is not for you, don't worry: you won't go hungry in Shinjuku. The district is packed with excellent restaurants serving a wide variety of dishes to suit every taste.

One especially popular dish in Shinjuku is ramen. The area is known as one of Tokyo's most competitive ramen districts, and long queues often form outside its best-known restaurants.

Omoide Yokocho, translated as "Memory Lane," is located northwest of Shinjuku Station. It consists of a network of narrow alleys lit by red lanterns. Omoide Yokocho has restaurants and market stalls serving a range of traditional Japanese foods, including ramen, soba, sushi, yakitori, and grilled chicken. It is also a great place for photography.

Takadanobaba is known for its affordable bars, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular area for students, especially those from Waseda University, which is only a 20-minute walk away.

Shin-Okubo's Koreatown features a wide range of Korean shops and restaurants along its main street, selling K-pop music and merchandise, Korean groceries, and other Korean foods.

Explore the district's diverse nightlife

Next to Shin-Okubo's Koreatown, the Shinjuku Nichome neighborhood is a popular place for those looking to enjoy the area's nightlife.

Shinjuku Nichome is known for being especially inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, with a wide range of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The district is well known for its food, drinks, and atmosphere. It is estimated that there are around 300 LGBT bars and nightclubs in the area.

If you're looking for tiny bars and small eateries, Golden Gai is the place to go. This small but atmospheric nightlife district has more than 200 restaurants and bars, many of which can only fit a few customers at a time. Many of the venues have distinctive themes, making it a popular destination for students from nearby Waseda University.

Escape the hustle and bustle in Shinjuku's green spaces

If you feel like you need a break from the city's pace, Shinjuku has plenty of famous green spaces where you can relax.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is arguably one of Tokyo's most famous parks, known as one of the best places in the city to view the spectacular cherry blossoms each year.

Located in the heart of Shinjuku, this peaceful retreat offers lots of greenery and a calm atmosphere. Waseda University students like coming here to relax after a busy day in the city and enjoy the stunning skyline views.

Meiji Jingu Gaien, created in 1926, is a memorial site dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Its grounds include a picture gallery depicting culture and politics from the Meiji era, which students interested in the city's history may want to visit. The garden was also a major venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Shinjuku Central Park is a medium-sized park on the edge of the skyscraper district, behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. With an artificial waterfall, Kamo Shrine, and plenty of cherry trees, Central Park is an ideal place to unwind after a busy day in the city.

Experience top-tier education

Shinjuku is home to Waseda University, a private research university. Waseda ranked 189th in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and ninth in Japan, and its students benefit from Tokyo's global prestige.

Waseda is also one of Japan's most international campuses, with more than 8,000 international students from 120 countries. This gives students the chance to learn about different cultures and meet people from around the world.

In addition, students benefit from the university's partnerships with more than 800 prestigious institutions in over 80 countries.

There is no doubt that Shinjuku is a great place to be a student.