Guidebook for Shinjuku-ku
Parks & Nature
Take the Odyaku line from Shinjuku station to Kitakamakura Station. The trip is less than an hour. You can see a temple 500m from the little train station. Afterwards you can hike. One trail we've done is walking over a small mountain to the Daibutsu (giant buddha). The hike is maybe 2 hrs with nice big quiet views, bamboo, pines, temples. You end up at Kamakura proper where there is more of a town, temples, seashore, restaurants. You can return from there, Kamakura station, back to Shinjuku station after dinner.
There are longer, perhaps better trails but we haven't tried them yet. The above is doable in a half-day- just catch the train before noon and eat some rice balls on the way. It's easy to navigate once you get off at Kitakamakura.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Kamakura
70 現地メンバーのおすすめ
鎌倉駅
1-chōme-1-15 OnarimachiTake the Odyaku line from Shinjuku station to Kitakamakura Station. The trip is less than an hour. You can see a temple 500m from the little train station. Afterwards you can hike. One trail we've done is walking over a small mountain to the Daibutsu (giant buddha). The hike is maybe 2 hrs with nice big quiet views, bamboo, pines, temples. You end up at Kamakura proper where there is more of a town, temples, seashore, restaurants. You can return from there, Kamakura station, back to Shinjuku station after dinner.
There are longer, perhaps better trails but we haven't tried them yet. The above is doable in a half-day- just catch the train before noon and eat some rice balls on the way. It's easy to navigate once you get off at Kitakamakura.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Kamakura
Everything Else
There's only so many chances in life to visit a parasite museum.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066450-d609899-Reviews-Meguro_Parasitological_Museum-Meguro_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
35 現地メンバーのおすすめ
目黒寄生虫館
4-chōme-1-1 ShimomeguroThere's only so many chances in life to visit a parasite museum.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066450-d609899-Reviews-Meguro_Parasitological_Museum-Meguro_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Essentials
Here's your closest grocery store. It's new. Huge and fascinating if you've never seen one. Easy to find as it's located at the ground floor of the tallest building around. It closes at 11pm. Ready-made food gets marked down in price up to 50% in the evening towards closing time.
33 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ito Yokado
4-chōme-3-1 NakanoHere's your closest grocery store. It's new. Huge and fascinating if you've never seen one. Easy to find as it's located at the ground floor of the tallest building around. It closes at 11pm. Ready-made food gets marked down in price up to 50% in the evening towards closing time.
https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@35.689061,139.7119004,3a,75y,260.58h,88.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1su27cZWb-vJ7POc06sCW01Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
187 現地メンバーのおすすめ
新宿御苑前駅
1-chōme-8 Shinjukuhttps://www.google.co.jp/maps/@35.689061,139.7119004,3a,75y,260.58h,88.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1su27cZWb-vJ7POc06sCW01Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Food Scene
Isetan is big fun dept store. In my opinion the most interesting is the basement level grocery store. This is the fancy grocery store. There's a fascinating array of ready-made food exquisitely displayed and sold by the portion, or by weight. Fun to pick and sample different things. Many of the vendors are happy to give you a taste.
A block away is Sekaido, the amazing 7-floor art supply store.
810 現地メンバーのおすすめ
伊勢丹新宿店
3-chōme-14-1 ShinjukuIsetan is big fun dept store. In my opinion the most interesting is the basement level grocery store. This is the fancy grocery store. There's a fascinating array of ready-made food exquisitely displayed and sold by the portion, or by weight. Fun to pick and sample different things. Many of the vendors are happy to give you a taste.
A block away is Sekaido, the amazing 7-floor art supply store.
Shopping
Sekaido is the biggest best art supply I've ever seen. If you like pens, paper, gauche, notebooks, pencils, origami, etc., you can spend hours in there. So watch out... It's adjacent to a Starbucks and a block from Isetan dept store.
17 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Sekaido Shinjuku Honten
3-chōme-1-1 ShinjukuSekaido is the biggest best art supply I've ever seen. If you like pens, paper, gauche, notebooks, pencils, origami, etc., you can spend hours in there. So watch out... It's adjacent to a Starbucks and a block from Isetan dept store.
I'm into headphones. This is THE best headphone store in the world for selecting headphones. Here's why:
- Giant selection of over-ear, open back, closed back, IEMs, buds, new and used.
- ALL units are displayed so you can try them. Which is the best? The one that sounds good to YOU. Take your phone or player along and plug them all in. I suggest you also take (or buy there) a "Y-plug" so you plug two headphones into your device at the same time. (This is called "A-B-ing." Listen to A and quickly switch to B over your ears.)
- There a large selection of second hand headphones. The prices are based on whether they come with the original box, and if there's any visible wear, but they all work. Most locals who trade them in take great care of them, and they always want to have the latest thing. Therefore you can pick up new condition stuff at 20-40% off. They let you try all the used stuff too.
- When it comes to trying stuff out, you can point to 3 or 4 units and ask them to bring them to a table for you. Sit down and take your time listening for what you want.
- The sales people know what they're talking about. There's at least one guy (looks german) who speaks english.
- They will not charge tax if you're a tourist and present your passport.
- Yes they have Beats, and no will not buy them after comparing to Beyer Dynamics DT-770.
This place is in Akihabara, so obviously it's fun to run around Aki while you're there. There is also an owl cafe one block away. If you ride the Marnouchi Line (your closest metro stop) to Awajicho, then it's a cute little 15-min walk over a bridge from there, and you don't have to transfer trains. Straight shot. There's a Starbucks right there at Awajicho when you ascend.
E-earphones
4-chōme-7-1 SotokandaI'm into headphones. This is THE best headphone store in the world for selecting headphones. Here's why:
- Giant selection of over-ear, open back, closed back, IEMs, buds, new and used.
- ALL units are displayed so you can try them. Which is the best? The one that sounds good to YOU. Take your phone or player along and plug them all in. I suggest you also take (or buy there) a "Y-plug" so you plug two headphones into your device at the same time. (This is called "A-B-ing." Listen to A and quickly switch to B over your ears.)
- There a large selection of second hand headphones. The prices are based on whether they come with the original box, and if there's any visible wear, but they all work. Most locals who trade them in take great care of them, and they always want to have the latest thing. Therefore you can pick up new condition stuff at 20-40% off. They let you try all the used stuff too.
- When it comes to trying stuff out, you can point to 3 or 4 units and ask them to bring them to a table for you. Sit down and take your time listening for what you want.
- The sales people know what they're talking about. There's at least one guy (looks german) who speaks english.
- They will not charge tax if you're a tourist and present your passport.
- Yes they have Beats, and no will not buy them after comparing to Beyer Dynamics DT-770.
This place is in Akihabara, so obviously it's fun to run around Aki while you're there. There is also an owl cafe one block away. If you ride the Marnouchi Line (your closest metro stop) to Awajicho, then it's a cute little 15-min walk over a bridge from there, and you don't have to transfer trains. Straight shot. There's a Starbucks right there at Awajicho when you ascend.
Sightseeing
A nice way to get to Meijijingu shrine, Harajuku, Takeshita St, is to just walk from the apartment! Do this by strolling around Shinjukugyoen (¥200) and exiting on the other side, at Sendagaya gate. Then you're already half way to Meijijingu. Just follow a map with a course plotted from Sendagaya Gate to the Meijijingu north entrance. Enjoy Meijijingu park and the shrine, and exit at the park at south gate to carry on to Harajuku/Takeshita dori.
Round off the day by continuing walk to Shibuya (the spot with the crazy crowded pedestrial intersection) for dinner.
147 現地メンバーのおすすめ
明治神宮前〈原宿〉駅
6-4-3 神宮前A nice way to get to Meijijingu shrine, Harajuku, Takeshita St, is to just walk from the apartment! Do this by strolling around Shinjukugyoen (¥200) and exiting on the other side, at Sendagaya gate. Then you're already half way to Meijijingu. Just follow a map with a course plotted from Sendagaya Gate to the Meijijingu north entrance. Enjoy Meijijingu park and the shrine, and exit at the park at south gate to carry on to Harajuku/Takeshita dori.
Round off the day by continuing walk to Shibuya (the spot with the crazy crowded pedestrial intersection) for dinner.
"Great way to get an amazing view of Tokyo for free. Just take the elevator all the way to the top in one of the two towers." The other observation deck views such as the Skytree and Tokyo Tower charge admission. But the Tokyo Met. Govt. Bldg. is right here in Shinjuku.
540 現地メンバーのおすすめ
東京都庁舎
2-chōme-8-1 Nishishinjuku"Great way to get an amazing view of Tokyo for free. Just take the elevator all the way to the top in one of the two towers." The other observation deck views such as the Skytree and Tokyo Tower charge admission. But the Tokyo Met. Govt. Bldg. is right here in Shinjuku.
Entertainment & Activities
All you need is an international drivers license to cruise around the city on a guided tour, dressed like a lizard, in sweet go-cards!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmiSa5LgnzI
http://maricar.com/#en
Another company offering same service. Cheaper, but without a guide, so you can just go anywhere!
https://www.govoyagin.com/activities/japan-tokyo-rent-go-karts-and-ride-around-akihabara/2534?lang=en
品川カート
1-chōme-23-15 KitashinagawaAll you need is an international drivers license to cruise around the city on a guided tour, dressed like a lizard, in sweet go-cards!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmiSa5LgnzI
http://maricar.com/#en
Another company offering same service. Cheaper, but without a guide, so you can just go anywhere!
https://www.govoyagin.com/activities/japan-tokyo-rent-go-karts-and-ride-around-akihabara/2534?lang=en