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11 Fun Things to Do in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Priya Johnson
A business and entertainment hub in Tokyo, Shinjuku district is a busy neighborhood known for its tall skyscrapers, bright neon lights, nightlife and shopping.
The top of this 45-story government building is the perfect place to get a bird’s eye-view of the city, that too for free. Enjoy a magical sunset view from the observatory and click instagram-worthy pics to cherish for life.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This museum is absolutely free. Learn all about firefighting by exploring all their interactive exhibits.
Yotsuya Fire Museum
Kids are given firefighter costumes and can even sit inside an actual fire truck with working sirens.
The highlights are the two rescue helicopters, one indoors and the other one on the roof, which are open to visitors.
Shinjuku Train Station
What’s so special about this railway station? Well, it’s the world’s busiest train station with over 3.6 million visitors commuting every day. Simply observing the commuter frenzy is an experience in itself.
A guided tour around this museum will help you dive straight into the history of the Samurai world.
Samurai Museum
The best part about this museum is that it allows its visitors to try on Samurai costumes. The sword display is also fascinating.
This vast garden is a wonderful place to enjoy some peace and tranquility amidst the noisy Shinjuku district.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Absolutely magical in the month of March, with its pink and white cherry blossoms forming a canopy in the garden.
For a more authentic vibe of local Shinjuku, head over to Memory Lane where you will find the locals drinking after a long day at work. The lane is dingy and lined with tiny liquor stores.
Memory Lane
A rather queer restaurant set up, this place is lit up in the brightest neon signs and lights possible. Bright and loud in taste, it’s definitely one of a kind.
Robot Restaurant
Yayoi Kusama Museum
If you’re a fan of Yayoi Kusama’s artwork, then this museum is a must-visit. Peruse through about 600 works of  the famous Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama displayed here.
This Japanese discount store is the ultimate place for great Japanese shopping. Housing all possible things you can imagine, it’s a wonderful place for queer souvenirs.
Shopping at Don Quijote
Japanese Karaoke
The Japanese love their Karaoke, so you’ll find lots of bar cum karaoke outlets all over Shinjuku. You can either book a booth all to yourself or book a larger room for you and your friends to enjoy a night of karaoke and booze.
Japanese street food is diverse with a variety of scrumptious delicacies.
Japanese Octopus Balls
Octopus balls are octopus pieces coated with batter, slow cooked and served with a drizzle of Japanese sauce and mayonnaise.