Shinjuku Travel Review: Order in Chaos, the Heart of Tokyo

Shinjuku was bustling and hectic from the moment I arrived. Billboards, crowds, music, car noises… but strangely, I didn’t feel tired; instead, I felt energized.

My accommodation was a business hotel near Shinjuku Station, and the transportation was really convenient. With the subway, JR, and buses all available, I could get anywhere quickly. There were plenty of people even at night, so it wasn’t scary to walk around late.

For lunch, I had a bowl of tonkotsu ramen at ‘Menya Musashi’ near Kabukicho. The rich and heavy broth was exactly the Tokyo ramen vibe.

In the afternoon, I took a walk in Shinjuku Gyoen. It was amazing to find such a quiet, forest-like garden right in the middle of the city. It was a place where you could truly feel the essence of a Japanese garden.

In the evening, I enjoyed the izakaya atmosphere at Omoide Yokocho with some yakitori and a highball. There were many foreigners, and the seats were packed closely together, so I definitely got a real local Japanese vibe.

At first, Shinjuku seems chaotic and overwhelming, but after a few hours, you get the rhythm. There’s so much to see, so much to eat, and it’s a great neighborhood to explore. Next time, I want to stay a few more days in Shinjuku.

Post by momozzang | Jul 30, 2025