Month: March 2020

Beginners Guide to the Japan Rail Pass

Post author By dannykangweb@gmail.com
Post date March 25, 2020
No Comments on Beginners Guide to the Japan Rail Pass

One of the most amazing things about Japan is the public transportation. The train system connects all major cities throughout the entire country and buses run to almost every rural village.

Although having the freedom to be able to go anywhere with public transportation is nice, there is one downside: the cost. Tokyo has one of the most expensive public transportation in the world and other cities in Japan have similar transportation costs.

Don’t cancel your travel plans to Japan just yet, because Japan is an awesome place to travel to and there are more affordable ways to get around!

You might have heard about the Japan Rail JR pass.

It’s a pass only offered to visitors of Japan and with it, you get unlimited rides on transportation by the Japan Rail group. This covers trains, buses, ferries, and most importantly, the bullet train (Shinkansen).

However, the JR pass doesn’t come cheap either, and buying one can either save you over 100s of dollars or end up losing you money.

Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the JR pass. We’ll show you what it is, where to buy it, and walk you through the entire process from how to purchase one, all the way to reserving and riding your first Shinkansen ride.

This is a long guide that you may need to reference it many times throughout your trip so make sure to pin it for later!

What is the JR Pass?

As mentioned before, the JR Pass is a pass offered by the Japan Rail group that offers unlimited rides on their trains, buses, ferries, and the Shinkansen. Transportation is expensive in Japan and this pass gives tourists a chance to potentially save a lot of money.

The pass is available for 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days and there are two ticket types: Ordinary and Green. They also have a children’s price for ages 6-11 and children below 6 can ride for free. Here is a price chart for easy comparison.

Duration	Adult		Child
	Ordinary	Green	Ordinary	Green
7 days	29,650 yen	39,600 yen	14,820 yen	19,800 yen
14 days	47,250 yen	64,120 yen	23,620 yen	32,060 yen
21 days	60,450 yen	83,390 yen	30,220 yen	41,690 yen

As you can see, the JR pass does not come cheap and it’s not in the price range you’d expect from most countries.

The advantages of the JR pass lies in the Shinkansen. Let’s look at an example to see how cost effective the JR pass is despite the high price range.

Example: Round Trip From Tokyo to Osaka

Let’s compare the cost of a round-trip ticket on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka.

A one way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka would cost around 14,500 yen. Buying a round-trip would add up to 29,000 yen.

If you buy a 7-day Ordinary JR Pass, this would cost 650 yen more than buying the individual tickets. But if you add up the local JR train costs during those 7 days, not to mention the train from the airport, this can easily add up to more than 4,000 yen, which would make the 7-day Ordinary JR Pass the cheaper alternative.

During those 7 days, you could even make day trips to Kyoto, Nara, or Hakone, to make the JR Pass even more worth its money.

This is why the JR Pass is so popular among travelers to Japan.

Is the Green JR Pass Worth It?

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The next thing you may be wondering is what the Green JR Pass is about.

The Green JR Pass allows you to ride in the Green section of the Shinkansen, aka the first-class section.

Here are some of the perks you get to enjoy by riding in the Green car.

Wider seats
More legroom
Bigger windows
Less crowded
Hot/cold drink served

For some, these may be enough incentives to make the upgrade, but for most, they’d be satisfied with just the Ordinary pass (especially since it’s already much more comfortable than economy plane seats).

However, you might want to consider upgrading during the peak seasons.

New Years Eve
Golden Week (early May)
Obon (mid-August)
Sakura season (March-April)
Fall foliage Season (October-November)

During major holidays in Japan, the Shinkansen tickets get sold out months before and the Non-Reserved Seat section can fill up to 200% over max capacity!

Imagine riding this for several hours!

(Source)

Where Can You Use the JR Pass?

The JR pass can be used pretty much on any train that has a JR logo. This covers local trains, express trains, and the shinkansen lines.

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There are many different lines that the Japan Rails group operates. These are some of the most used ones.

The Shinkansen trains (except Nozomi and Mizuho)
Narita Express (connects Narita Airport to Tokyo)
Tokyo Monorail (connects Haneda Airport to Tokyo)
Yamanote line (Tokyo)
Chuo line (Tokyo)
Limited Express Haruka (connects Kansai Airport to Osaka)
Osaka Loop Line (Osaka)
Thunderbird Line (connects Osaka and Kyoto to Kanazawa)

Where You Can’t Use the JR Pass

There are only two JR trains where you can’t use the JR Pass: The Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen lines. These are the “express” shinkansen lines that only stop at the major stations and take you to your destination slightly faster.

When you’re looking on the platform, be careful not to mistakenly ride the Nozomi or Mizuho trains or you will be asked to pay the full price.

There are many subways and other train lines that operate besides the JR lines. These are the logo of some of those lines that you cannot ride with the JR Pass.

(Source)

You may have to use some of these lines in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya. For that reason, we recommend keeping around a PASMO or a SUICA transportation card so you can save the time and hassle of buying individual tickets for these lines.

Do I Need a JR Pass?

Not all trips are made equal and although the JR Pass offers great value, it may not be worth it for some. Here are some common scenarios where it’s better NOT to buy the JR pass.

1. Staying in One Region of Japan

You’re traveling to Japan but staying within one region of Japan. Whether it’s the Tokyo and Yokohama area or the Osaka and Kyoto area, getting a Suica card and using local trains and buses will be a much more cost effective alternative to buying the JR pass.

2. Flying into Tokyo and Leaving From Osaka or Vice Versa

Many people take the route where they fly into one big city and leave from another one. In this case, you’d only need to buy a one-way Shinkansen ticket, which won’t be enough to pay out for the JR pass.

3. Traveling to Okinawa or Sapporo

Another scenario where the JR pass wouldn’t be worth buying is if you want to make a trip to the end regions of Japan, such as Okinawa or Sapporo.

If you are going to Okinawa, the best way to get there is by flight from any major city in Japan. There is a JR ferry that reaches Okinawa from Kyushu but it takes an extremely long time.

In the same way, if you are traveling to Sapporo or Niseko ski resort, we also recommend you take a flight instead of using the JR trains since it would be much faster.

4. Long Term Japan Travel

If you plan on doing some long term travel in Japan, then we don’t think the JR pass would be worth it (at least for the whole duration). Since you have the time, it would be much more cost efficient to travel either by bus or plane, which are both cheaper alternatives to the shinkansen.

If you do feel that you need the JR pass but you already came to Japan, you can still make the purchase. When you buy it, have it send the tickets to your Japan accommodation and you can activate it as long as you are there with the tourist visa.

BUY THE JAPAN RAIL PASS

How to Buy the JR Pass

In order to buy the JR pass, the only condition is that you are not a resident of Japan. This means that you are traveling to Japan with a tourist visa and they confirm this when you pick up your pass.

If you meet these requirements, you can purchase the JR pass through any vendor.

Once you make the purchase, they will mail you the exchange tickets in a couple of weeks. The tickets are not use-able yet and you have to activate it once you arrive in Japan. Once you arrive in Japan, you can exchange these tickets for the actual JR pass.

Activating Your JR Pass

(Antonio Tajuelo)

When you buy the JR pass online, you’re given an exchange voucher, which you can exchange for the JR pass in Japan. They will also need to check your passport to confirm that you are not a resident of Japan.

Keep in mind that when they are confirming your passport, they don’t allow you to pick up the JR pass for somebody else.

Once your information is confirmed, you can then select the date that you wish to activate your pass. This date can be up to 3 months after you purchase the pass.

You can activate it at the JR ticketing office in most Shinkansen stations.

Using the JR Pass on the Local Train

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You can ride the local trains by showing your JR Pass to the staff member at the ticket office.

The electronic gates can only be used with a normal train ticket or a transportation pass such as the SUICA or PASMO.

Keep in mind that at some exits, there are only electric gates and you have to enter and exit through an exit with a ticketing window.

Riding the Shinkansen

About the Shinkansen

There are 5 different Japan Rail Companies and 8 lines that make up the entire Shinkansen network.

These lines connect all the way from Hakodate, Hokkaido down to Kagoshima, Kyushu and various major cities in between.

(Source)

For every Shinkansen line, there are 3 different types of speed: local, semi-express, and express. Every train has a different name depending on the line and the speed.

With the JR Pass, you can ride on every Shinkansen except the Nozomi and Mizuho express trains running through the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu line.

The Shinkansen runs as early as 6am and the last train ends around 10pm. You can see the timetable on the Shinkansen website.

Making a Seat Reservation

If you have the JR pass, you can only make the reservation in person at the Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口) located in various JR stations.

At the office, you can show them your JR pass and let them know where you would like to go and they will help you find the right train.

Make sure to specify your seat too if you want the nice window seat during your trip!

Riding Without a Reservation

If you forgot to make a reservation and want to catch the next train coming soon, you can still ride without a reservation.

At the ticketing gate, you can just show them your JR Pass like you would to ride a local train and you will be able to ride in the Non-Reserved section of the Shinkansen.

In the Non-Reserved section, the seats are first come first serve and you can sit on any seat that you like. If there are no more seats, then you have no choice but to stand.

Reserving a seat on the Shinkansen usually costs extra but with the JR Pass, you can do it for free so we highly recommend doing so to avoid standing for several hours!

BUY THE JAPAN RAIL PASS

Extra Notes

Whether you decide to purchase the JR Pass or not, we highly recommend that everyone carry around a PASMO or SUICA card as well.

This is the standard transportation card in Japan which you can use for any train and not just the JR lines. You fill up as you go and you can avoid the pain of buying individual tickets for every train ride.

The Metro Pass

Public Domain, Link

Similar to the JR Pass, there is also a Metro Pass that allows unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro lines and the Toei Subway lines.

There are more Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines than JR in Tokyo and it can be a great addition if you are exploring around Tokyo.

It’s sold in 24 hour, 48 hour, and 72 hour time frames and comes at a much cheaper price than the JR Pass.

Duration	Adult	Child
24 hour	800 yen	400 yen
48 hour	1,200 yen	600 yen
72 hour	1,500 yen	750 yen

Things to do in Harajuku

Harajuku is known to be the fashion central of Tokyo. On the main street is Omotesando Street, lined up with designer and upmarket brands while the parallel Takeshita Street is filled with unique colors, street art, and fashion. And then you have the back alley Cat Street with all the vintage goods. On top of being the home for various fashion trends, Harajuku is also a major tourist area and it’s one of the must-visit places for when traveling to Tokyo.

Things to Do

Stroll Around the Unique Takeshita Street

When one mentions Harajuku, they usually have an image of Takeshita Street. Takeshita Street is the most famous side street of Harajuku and it’s filled with colorful shops, restaurants, and street vendors. This street is the birthplace of the Kawaii Harajuku Fashion and you can often see people dress in unique colorful styles.

Here, you can also find lots of street food, including crepes, handmade potato chips, rainbow cotton candies, and even rainbow grilled cheese!

Address: 1 Chome-17 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Cultural Events at Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi is one of Tokyo’s most active parks and it’s located right behind Harajuku Station. Yoyogi is very diverse and FULL of life, featuring a sports area, garden area, events area, and wide open lawns.

One of the highlights of Yoyogi park is the cultural festival that occur almost every weekend. Near the Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage, you may often see food trucks lining up the main sidewalk with authentic food from various cultures, music bumping, and people dancing. Here, you can really feel the diversity that lives in Tokyo.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3469-6081

Visit Meiji Shrine

Right next to Yoyogi Park is the calm, serene entrance to the Meiji Shrine. The entrance path to the shrine is a cut path, shaded by tall trees and it’s the perfect place to be during Japan’s hot and humid summers.

Fun Fact: A lot of traditional Japanese weddings are held in Meiji Shrine, sometimes up to 15 a day! Tourists are not allowed to get close to the ceremony, but the wedding is still visible from a distance and you may be lucky enough to get a peek at one during your visit!

Hours: 5:00am – 6:00pm

Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3379-5511

Visit a Smaller Shrine: Togo Shrine

Togo Shrine is a small, quieter shrine lurking in the back streets of Harajuku. This shrine is dedicated to Heihachiro Togo, a greatly respected Japanese admiral who helped Japan win the Battle of the Japan Sea during the Russo-Japanese War. This shrine is smaller than Meiji and it features a koi pond and a Japanese garden.

Hours: 6:30am – 5:00pm

Address: 1 Chome-5-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3403-3591

Step into a Life-size Kaleidoscope

At the entrance of Tokyu Plaza is a set of escalators with walls that look like a real life kaleidoscope. Inside, you’ll find various fashion shops and at the top floor is a rooftop garden terrace that’s accessible for anyone!

Protip: The bathroom inside can have an extremely long line sometimes! (even for the men’s!)

Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Address: 4 Chome-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-3497-0418

Shop at Omotesando

Omotesando is known as the upscale shopping district and it’s home to many brand names and high end shops. Despite that, there are many affordable places mixed in here and there as well many fairly priced restaurants.

We recommend checking out the Omotesando Hills building for its interesting interior design and the Oriental Bazaar for traditional Japanese products.

Omotesando Hills

Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Address: 4 Chome-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-3497-0310

Oriental Bazaar

Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm

Address: 5 Chome-9-13 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-3400-3933

Wander Off into Cat Street

If you’re not into the colorful aisles of Takeshita Street, then perhaps Cat Street might be for you. Cat Street is like the hipster back street of Harajuku. It’s lined up with trendy shops where you can find wears for street fashion and vintage clothing. The area is much quieter as well, contrasting Takeshita Street and Omotesando, so it’s a great place for a date, or even just a small walk.

Address: 5 Chome-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Shop for Less at Daiso

If brand name isn’t your thing, then perhaps 100 yen ($1.00 USD) items are. A small walk from Harajuku is one of the most popular Daiso stores in Tokyo and there’s no questioning why: 4 floors FULL of 100 yen items! There’s an incredible variety of selections and you’d be really surprised at how many different kinds of items are sold at 100 yen.

Hours: 9:30am – 10:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−19−24 ビレッジ１０７

Phone Number: +81 3-5775-9641

Go to a Themed Cafe

Themed Cafes are a thing in Tokyo and there’s a good amount of them in Harajuku. Here are some themed cafes you can visit in Harajuku.

Kawaii Monster Cafe

Cafe filled with colorful and crazy artwork. Almost like a twisted Alice in Wonderland adventure.

Hours: 11:30am – 4:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−31−10 YMスクエア 4F

Phone Number: +81 3-5413-6142

Hedgehog Cafe

Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−13−21 原宿２号館 4F シャンゼール

Phone Number: +81 3-3404-1180

Shiba Dog Cafe

Address: 1 Chome-6-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Cat Cafe

Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−14−25 クロスアベニュー原宿 4F

Phone Number: +81 3-6447-2665

Snake Cafe

Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm, closed Tuesday

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−5−6 サンポウ綜合ビル 8F

Phone Number: +81 3-6427-9912

Owl Cafe

Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−21−15 原宿ATMビル4F

Phone Number: +81 3-6455-5081

Relax at the Beautiful Nezu Museum

A small distance from Omotesando Station is the Japanese and Asian art Nezu Museum. This place is a nice place to stop by and relax. The building is beautifully made with minimalist, Japanese architecture and there’s also a nice garden area in the museum as well. Even if you’re not a fan of art, this museum can help relax your soul.

Hours: Check Website

Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan

Cost: 1100 yen, 1300 yen (special exhibition)

Phone Number: +81 3-3400-2536

Some Restaurants and Cafes to Try

Le Shiner

Rainbow grilled cheese, rainbow crepes, rainbow everything.

Address: 1 Chome-7-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Totti Candy Factory

Famous for their rainbow cotton candy.

Hours: Weekday 10:30am – 8:00pm

Weekends 9:30am – 8:00pm

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−16−5 Ｒｙｕあぱるとまん 2F

Phone Number: +81 3-3403-7007

Cafe Ron Ron

All you can eat kaiten sweets.

Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm

Address: 6 Chome-7-15 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-5468-8290

Lattest

Our go-to cafe in Harajuku

Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm

Address: 3 Chome-5-2 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-3478-6276

Good Town Doughnuts and Coffee

Best doughnuts in Tokyo

Hours: 9:00am – 7:00pm

Address: 6 Chome-12-6 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-5485-8827

Tags Tokyo

Travel Japan

50 Places to See Sakura in the Tokyo Area (Google Maps List Inside!)

Post author By dannykangweb@gmail.com
Post date March 11, 2020
No Comments on 50 Places to See Sakura in the Tokyo Area (Google Maps List Inside!)

Sakura season is incredible in Tokyo. Despite being one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo doesn’t lack when it comes to parks and natural places to see the sakura flowers.

In Tokyo, the sakura flowers usually start to bloom around late March and enters full bloom about a week after. If you’ve never experienced the sakura in Tokyo before, we recommend checking out our sakura guide.

We wanted to create a list of places where you can go to see the sakura in Tokyo. Whether you’re a photographer trying to get the best sakura shots or just someone that wants to appreciate the season, we hope that this list can become a convenient guide for you!

You can see the whole list on Google Maps here.

Tokyo 23 Wards

Higashi-Ayase Park (Adachi)

Public park in Adachi Ward.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 3 Chome-4 Higashiayase, Adachi City, Tokyo 120-0004, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3605-0005

Toneri Park (Adachi)

One of the biggest public parks in Adachi Ward. Hanami is possible and Sakura Festival happens here.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1-1 Tonerikoen, Adachi City, Tokyo 121-0837, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3857-2308

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (Bunkyo)

One of the biggest gardens in Tokyo

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Address: 1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004, Japan

Cost: 300 yen

Rikugien Gardens (Bunkyo)

Special hours for Sakura season. Famous for the weeping cherry tree, which is also illuminated at night.

Hours: 9:00am – 9:00pm

Address: 6 Chome-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan

Cost: 300 yen

Phone Number: +81 3-3941-2222

Chidorigafuchi Park (Chiyoda)

One of the most popular destinations for Sakura in Tokyo. Sakura Festivals occur and some trees are illuminated at night.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-2 Kōjimachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0082, Japan

Cost: Free

Hibiya Park (Chiyoda)

Located on the southern side of the Imperial Palace.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Hibiyakoen, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0012, Japan

Cost: Free

Imperial Palace East Gardens (Chiyoda)

Sakura inside the Imperial Palace.

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm, closed Mondays, Fridays

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan

Cost: Free

Sotobori Park (Chiyoda)

Small park on the outer moat of the Edo Castle.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 無番地 Gobancho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3341-1731

Hamarikyu Gardens (Chuo)

Quiet and peaceful place to watch the Sakura trees.

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Address: 1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046, Japan

Cost: 300 yen

Phone Number: +81 3-3541-0200

Tokyo Station, Sakura Street (Chuo)

Small avenue lined up with sakura trees.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Japan, 〒103-0028 Tokyo, Chuo City, Yaesu, 1 Chome−6−3 小鉄ビル

Cost: Free

Kasai Rinkai Park (Edogawa)

Spacious spot with lots of other park activities nearby.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 6 Chome-2 Rinkaicho, 江戸川区 Tokyo 134-0086, Japan

Cost: Free

Ojima Komatsugawa Park (Edogawa)

Park by the Aarakawa river where the sakura festival also takes place.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Japan, 〒136-0072 Tokyo, 江東区Ojima, 9 Chome−８

Phone Number: +81 3-3636-9365

Ukita Park (Edogawa)

Local park in Edogawa Ward.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 3 Chome-9 Kitakasai, Edogawa City, Tokyo 134-0081, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3636-9365

Asukayama Park (Kita)

Big park in Kita Ward with museums, hanami, and sakura festival.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-1-3 Oji, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0002, Japan

Cost: Free

Fukagawa Sakura Festival (Koto)

Fukagawa Sakura Festival at Koto Kuritsu Rinkai Park

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 2 Chome-22-7 Eitai, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0034, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3647-9111

Meguro River (Meguro)

Sakura by the Meguro river with festivals and nighttime sakura as well. Arguably one of the most crowded Sakura spots in Tokyo.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Nakameguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0000, Japan

Cost: Free

Aoyama Cemetery (Minato)

Home to Hachiko and his owner and one of the biggest and oldest cemeteries in Tokyo. Hanami is allowed in certain areas.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 2 Chome-32-2 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan

Phone Number: +81 3-3401-3652

Odaiba Marine Park (Minato)

Enjoy the Sakura with the famous Rainbow Bridge in the background.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-4 Daiba, Minato City, Tokyo 135-0091, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-5500-2455

Roppongi Hills Mori Garden (Minato)

Traditional Japanese style garden in the middle of Tokyo Midtown. They have festivals and night illuminated sakura as well.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 6 Chome-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-6108, Japan

Cost: Free

Roppongi Sakura-zaka (Minato)

Hill on the side street of Tokyo Midtown with Sakura trees lined up. The area is illuminated at night as well.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 6 Chome-12 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan

Cost: Free

Shiba Park (Minato)

Watch the sakura flowers from the base of Tokyo Tower.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 4 Chome-10-17 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3431-4359

Takanawa Park (Minato)

Park in the middle of the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa. The park is accessible for everyone.

Hours: 7:00am – 4:30pm

Address: 3 Chome-13-21 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3451-5487

Toshimaen Sakura Festival (Nerima)

Sakura Festival at Toshimaen. You can rent out a tatami and reserve a spot for hanami.

Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Address: 3 Chome-25-1 Koyama, Nerima City, Tokyo 176-0022, Japan

Cost: 1000 yen, 500 yen after 3pm

Phone Number: +81 3-3990-8800

Kinuta Park (Setagaya)

Wide, local park in Setagaya Ward.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1-1 Kinutakoen, Setagaya City, Tokyo 157-0075, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3700-0414

Komazawa Olympic Park (Setagaya)

Second stadium for the Tokyo Olympic in 1963 and famous for viewing the sakura.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1-1 Komazawakoen, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0013, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3421-6431

Yoyogi Park (Shibuya)

Popular spot for hanami, sakura festival, and night sakura.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan

Cost: Free

Shinjuku Gyoen Park (Shinjuku)

Popular yet peaceful place for hanami.

Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm, Closed Mondays

Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan

Cost: 500 yen

Zenpukuji River Green Park (Suginami)

Local spot to watch the sakura by the river bank.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-30-27 Naritanishi, Suginami City, Tokyo 166-0016, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3313-4227

Sumida Park (Sumida)

Great spot for hanami. You can view the flowers from a boat tour and it’s close to famous spots like Sensoji and Skytree.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome Mukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0033, Japan

Cost: Free

Yanaka Cemetery (Taito)

Beautiful cemetery where lots of sakura trees are lined up.

Hours: 8:30am – 5:15pm

Address: 7 Chome-5-24 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 3-3821-4456

Ueno Park (Taito)

Huge park in Tokyo with hanami, festivals, and night sakura.

Hours: 5am – 11pm

Address: Japan, 〒110-0007 Tokyo, Taito City, Uenokoen, 8−・池之端三丁目

Cost: Free

Outside Tokyo’s 23 wards

Tamagawa Central Park (Fussa)

Sakura viewing area by the Tama River.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Japan, 〒197-0005 Tokyo, Fussa, Kitadenen, 一丁目先

Phone Number: +81 42-530-4418

Mt Takao (Hachioji)

Sakura from the peak of Tokyo’s famous mountain.

Address: Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan

Cost: Free

Ryonan Park (Hachioji)

Local park in Hachioji.

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Address: 1369, 長房町 Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0824, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 42-661-0042

Yomiuri Land (Inagi)

Amusement Park on the south western border of Tokyo, famous for the night illumination.

Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Address: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo 206-8725, Japan

Cost: 1800 yen, 1500 yen after 4pm

Phone Number: +81 44-966-1111

Koganei Park (Koganei)

Local hanami spot with festival.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-13-1 Sekinocho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-0001, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 42-385-5611

Inokashira Park (Musashino)

One of the most popular places for Hanami outside the 23 wards.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, 武蔵野市 Tokyo 180-0005, Japan

Cost: Free

Showa Kinen Park (Tachigawa)

Huge park in Tachigawa with lots of sakura trees.

Hours: 9:30am – 4:30p

Address: 3173 Midoricho, 立川市 Tokyo 190-0014, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 42-528-1751

Outside of Tokyo

Takanedai Sakura Park (Funabashi, Chiba)

Local, peaceful park in Funabashi.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 3 Chome-2 Takanedai, Funabashi, Chiba 274-0065, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 47-436-2555

Sakura Square (Narashino, Chiba)

Small square near Disneyland, with lots of Sakura trees lined up, in the middle of a business and shopping district.

Hours: 10:00am – 5:30pm, closed Mondays

Address: 1 Chome-5 Shibazono, Narashino, Chiba 275-0023, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 47-454-8739

Ebigawa River (Natsumi, Chiba)

Park next to the river with a small, local festival happening during the season.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 5 Chome-12-1 Natsumi, Chiba 273-0865, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 47-436-2473

Izumi Nature Park (Wakaba, Chiba)

Local, nature park in Chiba.

Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm

Address: 108 Norocho, Wakaba Ward, Chiba, 265-0053, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 43-228-0080

Hasedera Temple (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Sakura trees in the middle of a traditional Japanese temple scenery.

Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Address: 3 Chome-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 467-22-6300

Kotokuin Temple (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Location of the famous giant Buddha statue in Kamakura.

Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm

Address: 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

Cost: 300 yen

Phone Number: +81 467-22-0703

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Kamakura, Kanagawa)

Hours: 5:00am – 8:30pm

Address: 2 Chome-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8588, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number:

Ikuta Ryokuchi Park (Kawasaki, Kanagawa)

One of the best place to watch the sakura in Kawasaki.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 7 Chome-1-4 Masugata, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-0032, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 44-933-2300

Minoyama Park (Chichibu, Saitama)

Watch the sakura from the mountains of Chichibu.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Minano, Chichibu District, Saitama 369-1412, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 494-23-1511

Yono Park (Chuo, Saitama)

Third oldest park in Saitama where there is also a Rose Festival during the time of Sakura.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1-1468-2 Honmachinishi, Chuo Ward, Saitama, 338-0004, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 48-711-2290

Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi (Kumagaya, Saitama)

Near the river bank with festival booths lined up parallel to the sakura trees.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 2 Chome Kawaracho, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0035, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 48-524-1111

Omiya Park (Omiya, Saitama)

One of the most popular sakura spots in Saitama. The park has over 1200 sakura trees and a festival takes place as well.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: Japan, 〒330-0803 Saitama, Omiya Ward, Takahanacho, 4

Cost: Free

Phone Number: +81 48-641-6391

Comment below if you know any awesome spots for Sakura in Tokyo!

Tags Tokyo

Things to do in Shinjuku

Shinjuku has it all.

In the east, you have shopping centers, bars, and restaurants while on the west, you’ll find lots of government and office buildings. In the north is the famous Kabukicho, filled with endless night entertainment, while in the south is the bus terminal that connects Shinjuku to the rest of Japan.

With over 3 million people using the station each day, Shinjuku is one of the biggest transportation hubs in Tokyo and definitely has something for everyone.

In this article, we want to guide you around Shinjuku and show you the various things you can do there!

Getting to Shinjuku

From Narita Airport

Option 1: Take the Skyliner to Nippori Station. Then take the Yamanote line all the way to Shinjuku Station.
Option 2: Take the Narita Express Train all the way to Shinjuku Station.

From Haneda Airport

Option 1: Take the Haneda Airport Limousine Bus all the way to Shinjuku.
Option 2: Take the Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa Station. Then take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station.

From Tokyo Station

Take the Chuo Line all the way to Shinjuku Station.

Things to do

Spend the Morning at Shinjuku Gyoen Park

(Carbonium /CC BY)

Shinjuku Gyoen Park is one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in Tokyo. This 144 acre park was built on top of the land owned by a Feudal lord during the Edo Period and has various sections.

There’s 3 different types of gardens, a botanical greenhouse, and various restaurants spread throughout the park. The park has an early closing time of 4:30pm so it’s perfect for visiting in the morning or afternoon.

The park’s scenery changes with each season, so if you’ve visited before, make sure to come again during another season to see the change of scenery!

Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm closed Mondays

Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan

Cost: 500 yen

Phone Number: 03-3350-0151

Hanazono Shrine

The Hanazono Shrine is a Shinto shrine located near the busy streets of Shinjuku. Despite being located in one of Tokyo’s most urban districts, the Hanazono Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, founded in the mid 17th century, before the Edo period.

Throughout the year, there are multiple festivals held here, and when there’s no festival, you can go to the shrine to pray to the Japanese gods and purchase some good luck souvenirs!

Shrine Hours: 24 hours

Reception Desk Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm

Address: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan

Cost: Free

Phone Number: 03-3209-5265

Watch the View From the Tokyo Metropolitan Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Building has a free observation deck, from where you can get a nice panoramic view of Tokyo. On a nice clear day, you can see several distinct landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Tokyo Dome, and even Mount Fuji.

The Metropolitan Building has two symmetrical towers and the observation deck alternates between the two. It’s free to go up to the observation point and there are cafes and souvenir shops which help fund the government building.

The decks open at 9:30am and stay open until 10:30pm so we recommend going up to see a panoramic view of Tokyo during the sunset!

Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm

Address: Japan, 〒163-8001 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 2 Chome−8−1, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 45階第一本庁舎

Cost: Free

Phone Number: 03-5320-7890

Become a Ninja at the Ninja Trick House

Located just north of Kabukicho is the Ninja Trick House. Any fan of Naruto or any ninja related things would definitely love this interactive entertainment facility.

In the Ninja Trick House, you can take a tour of the place and take part in ninja training involving swordplay and shuriken throwing. The whole experience lasts anywhere from 40-60 minutes and is kid friendly as well!

Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm, closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays

Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 2 Chome−28−13 第一和幸ビル

Cost: 1650yen per person, Free for ages 3 or younger

Phone Number: 03-6457-3337

Go Up Close and Personal with Godzilla

(Source)

Located in the heart of Kabukicho is the Toho Cinema building with Godzilla peaking over one of the terrace. You may have heard about this famous Godzilla figure, but did you know that there’s a way to get up and close with the statue?

On the 8th floor of Hotel Gracery is Cafe Bonjour. The terrace of the cafe leads to the back of the mighty Godzilla figure and the cafe has a glass wall so the figure is viewable from inside as well. Don’t forget to take a memorable picture with Godzilla after your meal!

Hours: 6:30am – 9:00pm

Address: 1 Chome-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

Phone Number: 03-6833-1111

Window Shopping Around Shinjuku Station

Shinjuku has many department stores, each with their own distinct atmosphere. There’s so many that it’ll probably take longer than a day to go through them all. Casually walking around and window shopping as you go can be a great way to spend a nice afternoon or kill some time before your next plan.

Buy Souvenirs at Don Quijote

Right at the entrance to Kabukicho is a huge Don Quijiote selling all kinds of items from groceries to weird costumes. The Shibuya branch is the biggest one, but the Shinjuku one has a lot of interesting and unique choices for souvenirs. And the best part of it all? Tax-Free for tourists!

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-16-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

Phone Number: 03-5291-9211

Museums to Visit

Samurai Museum

Michael Barera / CC BY-SA

Located at the northern side of Kabukicho is the Samurai Museum. This place is a great stop for those that want to learn the history of Samurai and take pictures in real samurai outfits!

Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm

Cost: Adults 1900yen, Children under 12 800yen, Children 3 and under free

Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 2 Chome−25−6 1F・2F 永和ビル 6

Phone Number: 03-6457-6411

Tokyo Fire Museum

The Fire Museum is an exhibit displaying the history of fire fighters in Japan. They have various displays that show the evolution of vehicles and equipment as well as major fires that broke out in Japan’s history.

The Fire Museum is located at Yotsuya Sanchome Station and is a bit of a distance from Shinjuku, but it’s a free exhibition and may be worth a visit!

Hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm, closed Mondays

Cost: Free

Address: 3 Chome-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan

Phone Number: 03-3353-9119

Night Time

Get Weirded Out at the Robot Restaurant

江戸村のとくぞう / CC BY-SA

The Robot Restaurant in the streets of Kabukicho is a place that gets mixed reviews. The experience is so unique that some say they had a blast while others disagree. Once you go downstairs, you’ll see stadium-like seats where you can enjoy your meal while a parade of robots and exotic costumes bring you a hell of a show. You can check out their website and see if it’s right for you.

Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−7 新宿ロボットビル B2F

Phone Number: 03-3200-5500

Experience the Streets of Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho is a small alleyway on the northern side of Shinjuku Station and has over 20 different izakaya. The name directly translates to “Memory Lane” because the alleys resemble how the area was during the post World War 2 period. Back in the day, it was also known as “Piss Alley” because many drunk people would relieve themselves on the streets of this alleyway. Rest assured, it doesn’t smell like piss anymore.

Hours: 24 hours

Address: 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Go Barhopping at Golden Gai

After warming up for the night at Omoide Yokocho, head over to Golden Gai to experience another throwback of Japan. Golden Gai is another old landmark of Tokyo that survived through World War 2, major earthquakes, and economic crisis.

There’s over 200 tiny bars squeezed into this small area and barhopping in this small town of bars is incredibly fun, but not cheap. Most places have a cover charge of a couple 1000 yen and drinks in most bars are quite pricey as well.

Address: 1 Chome-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

Phone Number: 03-3209-6418

Finish your Day at the Mannekyu Onsen

After a long day of traveling and sightseeing, you can wind down Japanese style by soaking in a hot spring bath near the busy Shinjuku area. The bath costs less than 500 yen and comes with a towel. Hot springs in Japan usually don’t allow tattoos, but this bathhouse does and there is also wifi access.

Address: 1 Chome-15-17 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072, Japan

Hours: 3:00pm – 12:00am, closed Saturdays

Phone Number: 03-3200-4734

Restaurants to Try

There’s lots of restaurants in Shinjuku (too many to count!) but here are some places that we think are worth trying!

Momo Paradise – All you can eat sukiyaki and shabu shabu
Konjiki Hototogisu – Michelin star ramen restaurant
Kappo Nakajima – Cheap Michelin star restaurant
Shinpachi Shokudo – Set Japanese food
Bittersweets Buffet – All you can eat sweets

Where to Stay in Shinjuku

When choosing where to stay in Tokyo, Shinjuku is a solid choice. Not only is there a lot to do, it’s also super convenient and has easy access to a number of different places. Here’s are some places where you can easily access from Shinjuku:

Hakone
Kichijoji
Mt. Fuji
Yokohama
Shimo Kitazawa
Tokyo Tower

Budget Hostels

Imano Tokyo Hostel – Affordable hostel with wifi, cafe/bar, and both dorm and private room choices.
Book and Bed Tokyo Shinjuku – Library themed hostel with capsule-like beds hidden in the bookshelves with a cafe and library.

Budget Hotels

E Hotel Higashi Shinjuku – Convenience option. Hotel has wifi, 24 hour convenience store, and located less than a minute from Higashi Shinjuku Station.
APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoenmae – Standard western style Hotel with a restaurant and a hot spring.

Mid Range Hotels

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku – Western style hotel located in the heart of Kabukicho, behind the famous Godzilla Statue.
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel – Hotel with clean interior design and a rooftop bar. Located a couple minutes from Seibu Shinjuku Station.

Luxury Hotels

Keio Plaza Hotel – 4 star hotel with various amenities such as an outdoor pool, shopping arcade, and a gym. Located next to the famous Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Park Hyatt Hotel – 5 star hotel with a clear view of Mt Fuji and an indoor pool. Famous for being the film location for the movie Lost in Translation.

Capsule Hotels

Anshin Oyado Capsule Hotel – Capsule Hotel with wifi and hot spring, located in the heart of Shinjuku.
Nine Hours Shinjuku North – Slightly cheaper Capsule Hotel with wifi, individual showers, and great location.

Ryokans

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku – Budget/Mid Range ryokan located in the middle of Shinjuku. Great for couples.

Conclusion

These are some of the many recommended or popular things to do in Shinjuku. We hope that our guide was helpful and that you have an awesome time when you come to Shinjuku!

What are you most excited about in Shinjuku? Let us know in the comments!

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