Shinjuku (新宿): what do you think?

[JerseyBoy]

Since I am new to Tokyo, I am still learning my way around Tokyo. I started liking Shinjuku now that I am getting comfortable there. At first, I was so new that I had no idea where to do. Now after 2 months in Tokyo (I know I am a late bloomer), I started picking up a few establishments I like (which I cannot mention here).
I would like to ask what you do in Shinjuku. I would like to keep this thread to anything in Shinjuku only.
PS. I saw Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the top of the micro bus in front of the JR Shinjuku station. I would not have noticed he was there if I had not seen so many watchful body security guards in the vicinity.

[epigene]

My favorite places in Shinjuku are:

(1) Shinjuku Gyoen in spring and fall.

(2) Yodobashi & Bic Camera (love looking at gadgets!!)

(3) Ekiben Festival held semiannually(?) at Keio Department Store

(4) The very expensive but gorgeous parfaits at Takano Fruit Parlor!

(5) Relaxing and gabbing with friends in the lounge of Park Hyatt, Century, etc.

:cool:

[pipokun]

Okubo or Shin-okubo may be famous for the Korean town, but you can find many nice Asian restaurants there. I highly recommend you wiil find your favorite one except the Korean one.

[GaijinPunch]

Shinjuku:
-50 yen arcade
-Kinokuniya Bookstore
-Shinjuku Gyoen
-Kabukicho when you're feeling very deviant
-A friend of mine's house

[Elizabeth]

-Shinjuku Gyoen in spring and fall (in summer too -- love those hydrangeas & irises...:-))

-Kinokuniya

-Hanazono Shrine

-Golden Gai (Very cool, but just peeping around the corner....:p)

[Taiko666]

That little area of ramshackle bars on the north-west side of the tracks is great (opposite the JUMBO pachinko/slot place). One can sit drinking wonderful sake on the 2nd floor in an old world style nomiya, watching the trains go past, with the neon hi-rise jungle of the main Shinjuku drag in the background. Almost sums up Japan for me!

[JerseyBoy]

Shinjuku:
-Kabukicho when you're feeling very deviant

That and Shinjuku 2-chome to spice up a little more.

[Carlson]

"Kabukicho area" is normaly where i hang out. not the hostess clubs per say. around the station and leading up to there. great places to photograph

[Sparky]

shin - oklubocasue i lived there haha.
Mother Rock Bar
Godz Rock Bar
Celebrities american style karaoke bar
Millions of people
Sitting near Mcdonalds near the pachinko parlors watching people going into the hentai shops lol
Yakuza and there limos all lined up in the back streets.
Man Shinjuku just rocks period just keep searching there is too much to list.
I will make a detailed Shinjuku walking guide for the curious traveler. I already did one for Harajuku.

[Zaff]

Shinjuku is where I am hoping to live when I go to Japan, its a right place. You can party with pretty ladies or shop till you drop, then again you can have some great food. Plenty of "Gentlemens" bars too also some of the prime people watching can go on too.

[ET_Fukuoka]

Which place has that dog statue and the starbucks overlooking the crazy cross walk? Shibuya, Shinjuku? I always get confused!

[JerseyBoy]

Which place has that dog statue and the starbucks overlooking the crazy cross walk? Shibuya, Shinjuku? I always get confused!
I am guessing you are referring to the Hachiko exit at the Shibuya station. The maps they put up on the streets in Tokyo are set up in such a way that you lose the sense of the navigation. For example, maps are upside down (i.e., the right means west and the up means south). I go through Shibuya station every morning on my way to my work.