Shinjuku - Photo by Christoph Theisinger on Unsplash

Meandering through Shinjuku will soon bring you to one of its highlights – Shinjuku Station. Often showcasing a sea of workers, school children and international travellers passing through its ticket gates on a daily basis, Shinjuku Station ought to be your ‘go to’ if you fancy a bit of people watching. Should you be in the mood to check out the city’s countless skyscrapers, then it is recommended that you head off towards the west of Shinjuku Station and to Nishi-Shinjuku. On the flip side, fans of retail therapy, dining and recreation must waste no time in making their way east of the Station where a gamut of facilities lie in store. Moreover, night owls will surely find ample value in the region known as Kabukicho which is famous for its accommodation and nightlife that will grow on you the longer you decide to stay.

Found a stone’s throw from Shinjuku Station’s exits are Tokyo’s most talked about and patronised department stores which must not be ignored if you happen to have a soft spot for shopping. Against such a backdrop, one need not venture too far off from Shinjuku Station in order to come into contact with a plethora of high-end fashion brands and labels. Notably, the department stores ranging from Odakyu, Isetan, Takashimaya and Keio house designer wear that will surely meet your eye as you move about. As an add-on, the basement floors of the mentioned stores provide ease of access to a wealth of food and beverage facilities and thus, you will be handed plenty of reason to while away the hours within these fancy department stores which are part and parcel of Shinjuku’s appeal. For the gadget-savvy shopper, the region west of the Station is bound to afford you value for money purchases in the form of the latest gadgets and gizmos to hit the market.

In the mood for a bird’s eye view of Shinjuku? Then nothing should deter you from beelining for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center which is an architectural gem from where you can delight in some of the best views of the Japanese capital as well. For this purpose, you would need to make your way to the 45^th floor of the Center where the observatory deck will be poised to offer you a remarkable outing. Thereafter, get up, close and personal with Mother Nature by calling by the splendidly positioned Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden where you can bid adieu to the hustle and bustle of the city and begin to appreciate the simpler things in life. Divided into Japanese, French and English gardens, this green space is made complete with a charming teahouse to check out. In the event you come over during the 2^nd quarter of the year, then you will have the fortune to stroll alongside eye-catching Japanese cherry blossoms.

No sooner day turns to night, neon lights take over the city and to the traveller, this will be the beginning of a night of unending fun. For one fulfilling experience, head out to Kabukicho and keep your eyes peeled for wooden bars that are literally piled on top of each other that will offer you all the reason you require for some bar hopping. Foodies will do well to spend time at Ramen Gekisenku which is an area north of Shinjuku Station which is packed to the rafters with many a ramen stand which serves up appetising takes on this popular noodle-based broth. Importantly, you will need a good place to stay at during your time in Shinjuku and for this purpose, do consider checking into Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo which is a decent form of Shinjuku accommodation.