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Exploring Shinjuku-Sanchome: 5 Must-Visit Attractions and Hidden Gourmet Map from a Century-Old Shrine to Urban Hot Springs | Tokyo

Update-Date: Apr 8, 2026

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Okonomiyaki Yakiniku Sweets

Exploring Shinjuku-Sanchome: 5 Must-Visit Attractions and Hidden Gourmet Map from a Century-Old Shrine to Urban Hot Springs | Tokyo

Shinjuku Station is regarded as Tokyo's busiest transportation hub, and just about a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station is "Shinjuku-Sanchome," which boasts many attractions filled with a blend of history and modern charm. This article selects 5 must-visit attractions near Shinjuku Sanchome and 3 hidden culinary gems: whether you want to pray for career success, enjoy exquisite desserts, or completely relax in a 24-hour "natural hot spring" amidst the bustling city, this place can meet your needs. The hidden culinary gems range from the understated luxury of Japanese Black beef tongue barbecue to popular teppanyaki spots suitable for gatherings with friends. Come and explore Shinjuku-Sanchome with this walking guide!

Leo

Taiwanese living in Japan

After coming to Japan for a working holiday in 2016, I returned to this land in 2022 by chance. After traveling through the four corners of Japan, I am currently living in Tokyo. In addition to work, I am an Awa dancer and love to share travel spots in Japan.
#AwaDancer
#SetouchiArtTriennale2025Volunteer

Hanazono-jinja Shrine

Hanazono Shrine is an ancient shrine located in the heart of the bustling Shinjuku area. It has been protecting the Shinjuku area since the Edo period, known for praying for prosperous business and smooth performing arts. Despite the busy streets surrounding it, stepping into the shrine feels like entering a paradise, allowing visitors to experience fresh air and find peace in the chaotic city of Shinjuku. As the shrine is open 24 hours, travelers are always welcome to visit and pay their respects.

[Shinjuku Sanchome Stroll] From a century-old shrine to urban hot springs, 5 recommended must-visit spots and hidden gourmet map | Tokyo

The most famous festival is the traditional "Tori no Ichi" held every November. It is worth mentioning that the date of the festival is determined based on the "Rooster Day" in the twelve zodiac signs, so there are "First Tori," "Second Tori," and sometimes even "Third Tori." On this day, stalls will gradually appear starting around noon. If you want to experience the lively atmosphere of the shrine festival, be sure to check the official website for the schedule in November!

Hanazono-jinja Shrine
・Location: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
・Nearby Station: Shinjuku Sanchome E2 Exit
・Entrance Fee: Free
・Opening Hours: 24 hours (Office hours are from 09:00 to 20:00, may close early at 18:00 depending on circumstances)

ISETAN Shinjuku

When you arrive at Shinjuku-Sanchome, you absolutely cannot miss the landmark Isetan Shinjuku. As a long-established department store in Shinjuku, this building is not only a department store but also a historically designated building by Tokyo, making it a very representative historical building in the Shinjuku commercial area.

The food hall on the basement floor is a battleground for desserts and various souvenirs. Those who love traditional Japanese sweets must know this long-established yokan specialty store "Toraya". In addition to selling products, the adjacent Toraya Cafe also has seating for dining in desserts, with the only small drawback being that reservations are not accepted, so you need to arrive early to line up!

In addition, the I-GARDEN on the top floor of Isetan is a suitable place to take a break while walking, with a spacious lawn square and garden. This is also one of the few spaces that allow you to bring food purchased inside to eat. It is recommended to shop on the basement floor and then enjoy the sunlight of Tokyo while comfortably having a picnic on the rooftop. However, please pay special attention to the fact that dining is only allowed in designated areas, and be sure to take your trash with you!

Isetan Shinjuku
・Location: 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
・Nearby Stations: Shinjuku Sanchome B3, B4, B5 Exits
・Opening Hours: 10:00~20:00 (Rooftop garden opening hours may vary depending on the season and weather)

Shinjuku Pedestrian Paradise

In addition to the well-known pedestrian paradise in Ginza, there is also one in Shinjuku-Sanchome! Every Sunday or on national holidays in Japan, Shinjuku Street will prohibit vehicle entry, turning it into a pedestrian-only paradise, making shopping more comfortable. The street implementation is located on "Shinjuku-dori Ave.," starting from Shinjuku 2-chome, passing through Shinjuku-Sanchome, and continuing all the way to JR Shinjuku East Exit. The only thing to note is that if the weather is bad or there are other event factors, it will be suspended!

Shinjuku Pedestrian Paradise
・Location: Near Shinjuku 3-chome, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo (Shinjuku Street)
・Nearby Stations: Shinjuku Sanchome A1, A5, B2 Exits
・Opening Hours: Open on Sundays and public holidays (April-September 12:00-18:00 / October-March 12:00-17:00, activities may be suspended due to weather or other reasons)

Thermae-Yu

Who says that a good hot spring must be in the suburbs? This natural hot spring, located near Kabukicho in Shinjuku and open 24 hours, features the hot spring water "Kamiyo no Yu" transported daily from Nakaizu. The interior is bright and spacious, and a particularly recommended facility is the "Lying bath" where you can lie down and soak while sleeping, which is really very comfortable!

The rest area also provides quite a few seats. If you are a passenger on a late night flight, and your accommodation is near Shinjuku but you cannot check in yet, when you realize you really need to find a place to rest, I highly recommend coming here to relax for a while!

There are also Japanese comics and magazines available for reading, so it's not a bad idea to stay here for a whole day to recharge!

Additionally, it is important to note that some bathhouses in Japan prohibit guests with tattoos. However, for tourists entering Japan, if you have tattoos, you will need to provide your passport or flight ticket and purchase a sticker to be able to bathe after applying it!

Shinjuku Natural Hot Spring Thermae-Yu
・Location: 1-1-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
・Nearby Station: Shinjuku Sanchome E1 Exit
・Entrance Fee: Weekdays 2,900 yen / Holidays 3,900 yen (includes towel and indoor wear, stone sauna extra charge, late-night hours extra charge)
・Opening Hours: 24 hours
・Others: Tattoo cover sticker 330 yen

Kitamura Camera

This entire building is definitely a must-visit sanctuary for photography enthusiasts and cultural creatives! The store showcases countless rare second-hand Leica cameras and classic film cameras, with brands like Ricoh, Fujifilm, Canon, and more, as well as vintage digital cameras and a variety of lenses, where you might strike gold.

In addition, this entire camera building not only sells cameras and accessories, but also offers a variety of photography services! The first floor provides quick photo printing services, the fifth floor can take professional ID photos, and the seventh floor offers a studio for family portraits. The store also has a dedicated photography gallery in the basement, which regularly hosts photography exhibitions or short-term events. Even just visiting, one can deeply feel the charm of the photography world and immerse themselves in the wonderful world seen through the lens.

Kitamura Camera
・Location: 3-26-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
・Nearby Stations: Shinjuku Sanchome A5 Exit / JR Shinjuku Station East Exit
・Admission Fee: Free
・Opening Hours: 10:00~21:00 (Repair counter until 19:00)

Recommended Restaurants Nearby

Shinjuku Kotegaeshi

Do you want to experience authentic Japanese dining culture? This restaurant offers a variety of teppanyaki and okonomiyaki, and the best part is that you can personally experience the cooking process, making it perfect for dining with a few friends. The chef's original "Cheese Mentaiko Millefeuille" has been the restaurant's signature dish for over ten years. Cheese, mochi, and mentaiko mayonnaise slowly ooze out from the layers of flaky okonomiyaki, and it is said to be the most loved dish among female customers! Additionally, the "Modern-style grilled pork" is another signature dish, allowing you to enjoy both fried noodles and okonomiyaki, highly recommended for those with a big appetite!

Shinjuku Kotegaeshi

Open: 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm) Drink L.O. 9:30 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Address: 3F, Ducky Plaza Bldg., 3-21-9, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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Kurotan Yakiniku Aoki

If you are a carnivorous traveler, you absolutely have to try the "Thick Sliced Japanese Black Tongue" here. Mr. Aoki, the owner who loves Wagyu, is extremely particular about the quality of the meat. In addition to providing rare domestic black-haired Wagyu tongue, he is able to offer various hard-to-obtain rare cuts of beef by purchasing whole cows. Because of this, the "Japanese Black Chateaubriand", which is located in the center of the beef tenderloin, is a rare cut despite its limited production, but it can be ordered at any time as a staple menu item in this restaurant, making every bite of meat a luxurious experience!

Kurotan Yakiniku Aoki

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 11,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station on each line
Address: B2F, Kurihashi Bldg., 3-13-5, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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Nou Ohashi

After coming to Japan for a feast of fish and meat, do you also want to try some Japanese vegetables? This restaurant, centered around the concept of "farm to table", makes extensive use of fresh and sweet vegetables directly sourced from "Ohashi Farm" in Gifu Prefecture, offering vegetable-based dishes that allow you to taste the original sweetness of the ingredients. For the main course, we recommend the "Clay Pot Rice with Shirasu Mentaiko Butter "and "Garlic Shrimp served with a special vegetable sauce". Additionally, the restaurant has carefully selected a range of organic wines, sake, and shochu, so why not come here for a drink and relax after exploring Shinjuku?

Nou Ohashi

Open: Dinner 6:00 pm - 5:00 am (L.O. 4:00 am)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from East Exit of Shinjuku Station
Address: 8F, Lee3 Bldg., 2-11-4, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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