Have only one day in Tokyo but still want to make the most out of your time? This one-day itinerary is perfect for travellers to get a glimpse of Shinjuku (both east and west Shinjuku) and enjoy the best local experience at the same time. It covers all major and popular attractions, just using a one-day metro ticket. Let’s get started!
First: Buying one-day metro tickets - which one suits you?
1. Tokyo subway ticket (24 Hour) (Adult: 880 JPY (8 USD))
This one-day subway ticket allows tourists to have unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines within 24 hours. It is very convenient for tourists who have limited time in Tokyo and a great money saver as well! The ticket can be purchased at Haneda or Narita airports and visitors need to produce their passports upon purchase (the ticket is not for sale to Japanese citizens). Alternatively, tourists can purchase it at travel agencies or hotels (terms and conditions apply).
Tokyo Subway Ticket (24 Hour)
Price: Adult: 880 JPY (8 USD)
Website: Tokyo Metro
2. Common one-day ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway
This ticket is another option for travellers, offering unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for a day. The ticket can be purchased at Toei subway and Tokyo Metro station ticket machines (it is 200 JPY or 1.70 USD more than the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24 Hour)).
Common one-day ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway
Price: Adult: 1000 JPY (8.70 USD), Child: 500 JPY (4.30 USD)
Website: Tokyo Metro
First stop: Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
Start your day at Kagurazaka, a cosy, quaint neighbourhood that has a rich history of traditions, as well as a good blend of French influence.
Kagurazaka was known to be Japan’s pleasure quarters back in the days. Some of the geisha houses, traditional confectionary stores and restaurants still retain the nostalgic flavour of the past. Kagurazaka then developed into an area that housed the French community in Japan, bringing in Western influences to its streets and walkways. Today, Kagurazaka has a vibrant scene of French cafes and restaurants and it is a good place to start a refreshing morning. We recommend these cafes in Kagurazaka.
Mojo Coffee
Hailing all the way from New Zealand, Mojo serves a variety of premium coffee such as cappuccino, piccolo, macchiato, flat white and long black. They also have breakfast items such as panini sandwiches, homemade scones and cakes off the counter. Although the café is rather small and has room for about 20 people, its interior is warm and cosy for a good breakfast. The friendly English-speaking staff would gladly assist you with your order.
Mojo Coffee Kagurazaka
Address: 2F, 4-11 Akagi-Motomachi, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 7.30am to 7pm on Mondays. 7.30am to 8pm from Tuesdays to Thursdays. 7.30am to 8.30pm on Fridays. 9am to 8.30pm on Saturdays. 9am to 8pm on Sundays.
Access: Walk from Exit 1 of Kagurazaka Station (Tozai line)
Contact: +81 3-6265-3286
Canal Café
This café is a must visit in Kagurazaka. Offering a stunning view of the riverside, this café is the place to go for a relaxing morning. Simply enjoy a warm cup of coffee together with some light sandwiches and cakes, and admire the scenic, beautiful view. During the spring season, the view is even more beautiful with the cherry blossom adding colour and vibrancy to the place. A lovely café you don’t want to miss!
Note: The “restaurant side” serves a nice menu of Italian food such as pizza, pasta and seafood during lunch and dinner time. If you have plans in the morning, you can still drop by in the afternoon or evening as Canal Café still promises the same charming and romantic view by the moat side.
Canal Café
Address: 1-9 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun & holidays 11.30am-9.30pm
Contact: +81 3-3260-8068
Second stop: Ichigaya Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakcho Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
The best thing to do in the late morning is to go for some good ol’ fishing! Ichigaya is a residential district located just outside the Imperial Palace’s outer moats, making it a prime spot to create an urban fishing area within the city. The Ichigaya Fish Center has different packages for those who want to do recreational fishing, and all catches are returned to the pool once they are weighed. There are several prizes up for grabs if your catch reaches a certain weight, so look out for those (you might win another free hour to fish as well).
Ichigaya Fish Center
Address: 1-1 Ichigaya Tamachi, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 9.30am - 6pm from Mondays to Fridays. 9am to 6.30pm on weekends and public holidays.
Contact: +81 3-3260-1324
Third stop: Shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line, Toei Shinjuku Line, Toei Oedo Line)
Shinjuku is a shopping haven for every traveller and going to the malls in the afternoon is a perfect way to escape the midday heat. From fashion, accessories, souvenirs to electronics and gadgets, Shinjuku has everything you need. Check out these top shopping picks,too!
Shop and enjoy entertainment at Lumine
There are three extensions to Lumine: Lumine 1, Lumine 2 and Lumine Est. Both Lumine 1 & 2 are directly connected to the south exit of JR Shinjuku Station. Lumine Est is right above the east exit of Shinjuku station. All three Lumine extensions carry a wide range of fashion brands, trendy items, and good restaurants.
Lumine 1 & 2
Address: 1-1-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm
Access: Direct access from the south exit of JR Shinjuku station
Contact: +81 3-3348-5211
Lumine Est
Address: 3 -38-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm on weekdays. 10.30am to 10pm on weekends.
Access: Direct access from the south exit of JR Shinjuku station
Contact: +81 3-5269-1111
Isetan - One of Japan's traditional department stores
Isetan is one of the oldest department stores in Shinjuku. Following a “fashion museum” theme, Isetan offers a good selection of luxury items. Do look out for its elaborate window display designs! Isetan is just a 4-minute walk from Shinjuku station.
Isetan Shinjuku
Address: 3 -14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 10.30am - 8pm
Access: 4 minutes’ walk from east exit of JR Shinjuku station
Contact: +81 3-3352-1111
Takashimaya Times Square - A massive building with a wide array of shops
Similar to Isetan, Takashimaya Times square is home to several luxury brand boutiques. Kinokuniya bookstore and Tokyu Hands (a large Do-It-Yourself and lifestyle item store) also have outlets here. Check out their food basement too! Takashimaya can be accessed from the south exit, new south exit, southern terrace exit, and some walkways from Shinjuku-Sanchome subway station.
Takashimaya Times Square
Address: 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya Ward
Opening Hours: 10am - 8pm
Access: 3 minutes’ walk from new south exit of JR Shinjuku station
Contact: +81 3-5361-1111
Bicqlo - Japan's innovative retailers
Bicqlo is another shopping hot spot for travellers. It is a combination of clothing retail giant, Uniqlo, with Bic Camera, an electronics store. You can’t miss this eye-catching building located right in the heart of Shinjuku!
Bicqlo
Address: 3-29-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm
Access: 5 minutes’ walk from JR Shinjuku station east exit
Contact: +81 3-3226-1111
Tea break at Brooklyn Parlour
Looking for a place to rest your feet after the long hours of shopping? Look no further than Brooklyn Parlour! This basement café offers you a peek of the Brooklyn vibe with its brick walls, earthy coloured furniture and spacious interior. The light jazz music in the background also lightens up the atmosphere and create a relaxing, homely feeling. Furthermore, what makes this café so unique is also its wide selection of books that you can pick up while sipping your coffee or tea – from Japanese novels, design magazines to books in various languages. Do try out their signature burgers if you are hungry!
Brooklyn Parlour
Address: Shinjuku Marui OIOI Annex B1F, 3-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 11.30pm
Access: Walking distance from Exit C of Shinjuku-Sanchome Station
Contact: +81 3-6457-7763
Salo café
Salo café is another resting spot we recommend. The café is designed to look like a forest with its lush greeneries and wooden furniture. Apart from serving good food and drinks, this is a great space to relax and spend time chit chatting with friends (and forget the city’s hustle and bustle as well).
Salo café
Address: Masukura Bldg. 3F, 3-9-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward
Opening Hours: 12pm - 12am
Contact: +81 3-6380-6680
Fourth stop: Shinjuku-Gyoen Mae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
The Shinjuku Gyoen is a great place for a light stroll in the late afternoon. Having large open lawns and beautiful greeneries, the gardens is one of the best places to unwind in the urban jungle. Shinjuku Gyoen has three types of gardens, namely, the French Formal Garden, English Landscape Garden and the Japanese Traditional Garden. During the cherry blossom season in late April/early May, the gardens transform into a sea of baby pink and the view of the sakura flowers is simply breathtaking.
Note: You can reach Shinjuku Gyoen and enter via the Okido Gate when you walk from Exit 2 of Shinjuku-Gyoen Mae Station. Alternatively, you can enter by the Shinjuku Gate when you walk from Shinjuku station. Lastly, you can also enter the gardens via the Sendagaya Gate when you walk from the JR Sendagaya Station.
Shinjuku-Gyoen
Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku Ward
Entrance Fee: 200 JPY (1.70 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am - 4.30pm. Entry until 4pm
Contact: +81 3-3350-0151
Fifth stop: Shinjuku-sanchome station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
Golden Gai is the place to go in Shinjuku for a good drink in the evening. Having 6 tiny alleys that accommodate over 200 bars and eateries, the area is full of life and excitement. Most bars are tiny, having seats for only five to six customers at once, and most of the time many bars only serve regular customers or customers introduced by an existing customer. Nonetheless, there are still some bars that welcome foreigners and have prices listed in English. Enjoy the sights and sounds of old Tokyo at Golden Gai!
Golden alley
Address: 1, Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward
Contact: +81 3-3200-8044
This itinerary gives travellers a good glimpse of the local neighbourhoods in Shinjuku, as well as the glamorous, touristy side of Shinjuku. Transportation to the attractions is a breeze, as travellers only need to use the Tokyo Metro to get around. Excellent value, time-saving and great fun!
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