Things to do in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Home to the world's busiest station, with skyscrapers on the west side and shopping and entertainment on the east. It is a good base for getting anywhere in Tokyo.

"Home to the world's busiest station, with skyscrapers on the west side and shopping and entertainmen"

A retro bar-hopping area behind Hanazono Shrine with about 200 tiny bars, each fitting 6 to 10 people. Many have cover charges, so ask at the entrance.

"A retro bar-hopping area behind Hanazono Shrine with about 200 tiny bars, each fitting 6 to 10 peopl"

A cool bar-hopping alley with about 80 tiny bars and eateries serving everything from yakitori to soba. Most seat only 5 to 6 people, which makes it easy to meet locals.

"A cool bar-hopping alley with about 80 tiny bars and eateries serving everything from yakitori to so"

A former Imperial garden with a Central Park feel and skyscraper views, entered for a small fee. It has a Japanese garden where you can experience a tea ceremony, and botanical gardens.

"A former Imperial garden with a Central Park feel and skyscraper views, entered for a small fee. It "

Shinjuku's red-light district north of the east exit, with neon lights, hostess bars and love hotels. It is fun to see but needs caution around the clubs.

"Shinjuku's red-light district north of the east exit, with neon lights, hostess bars and love hotels"

A free observation deck 202 meters up with great views by day and gorgeous city lights at night.

"A free observation deck 202 meters up with great views by day and gorgeous city lights at night."

A giant 3D billboard cat that appears every few minutes between 7am and 1am.

"A giant 3D billboard cat that appears every few minutes between 7am and 1am."

A stadium for baseball games in Tokyo, along with Tokyo Dome.

"A stadium for baseball games in Tokyo, along with Tokyo Dome."

A shrine open 24 hours, best visited by day to admire its bright vermilion torii gates. It is especially pretty in cherry blossom season.

"A shrine open 24 hours, best visited by day to admire its bright vermilion torii gates. It is especi"

A legendary tsukemen shop serving noodles with a deeply rich chicken and bonito dipping broth. Queues of 30–45 minutes are typical.

"A legendary tsukemen shop serving noodles with a deeply rich chicken and bonito dipping broth. Queue"

Affordable Japanese breakfast set restaurant where you pick a freshly grilled fish, such as dried mackerel or salmon, served with miso soup, pickles, radish and rice.

"Affordable Japanese breakfast set restaurant where you pick a freshly grilled fish, such as dried ma"

Ramen shop serving refined paitan chicken and shoyu broths with excellent chashu. Its signature extra is a neon orange espuma sauce.

"Ramen shop serving refined paitan chicken and shoyu broths with excellent chashu. Its signature extr"

Tea house in Shinjuku Gyoen serving teas and daifuku mochi, such as red bean or fig and rare cheese. Guests sit on tatami amid trees with views of the skyline.

"Tea house in Shinjuku Gyoen serving teas and daifuku mochi, such as red bean or fig and rare cheese."

A tiny ramen shop up narrow stairs in Golden Gai where you order from an old-school ticket machine. It serves gigantic, perfectly spicy bowls that mix two kinds of noodles; expect a queue and bring cash.

"A tiny ramen shop up narrow stairs in Golden Gai where you order from an old-school ticket machine. "

A tiny Golden Gai bar lined with bookcases. The hosts tried Japanese whisky and its excellent sake-based sour here.

"A tiny Golden Gai bar lined with bookcases. The hosts tried Japanese whisky and its excellent sake-b"