Discover Shinjuku
20 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
A spacious, meticulously landscaped park mixing Japanese, English, and French garden styles—ideal for cherry blossoms in spring, maple color in autumn, tranquil ponds, seasonal flower beds and the iconic Edo-period pavilions and greenhouse. Best early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer visitors; weekdays are quieter. Modest entrance fee and standard opening hours; no large parking — use nearby public transit. Respect quiet zones and seasonal event rules.
Kabuki-chō Ichiban-gai
A compact, neon-drenched entertainment street in Shinjuku famous for bright signs, bustling crowds and atmospheric storefronts — best for night and blue-hour photography. Easy to reach from Shinjuku Station; no entry fee. Expect heavy foot traffic after dark; weekdays and late blue hour are slightly calmer. Respect privacy in this red-light district — ask before shooting people. Limited parking; use public transit. Some businesses may restrict tripod use.
Godzilla Road
Godzilla Road (Central Road, Kabukichō) is a compact, neon-drenched pedestrian street dominated by the looming Godzilla head above Toho Cinema. Shoot vibrant signage, crowded nightlife scenes, reflections on wet pavement, and the iconic Godzilla silhouette against the sky. Best at blue hour and after dark for saturated neon; weekdays are less crowded. Very accessible from Shinjuku Station, no entry fee; limited nearby parking—use public transit. Respect local businesses and nightlife culture; be
Old Goryo-tei (Taiwan Pavilion)
A Meiji-era Western-style villa set inside Shinjuku Gyoen, Old Goryo-tei offers elegant architectural details framed by seasonal gardens — cherry blossoms in spring, verdant summer foliage, and autumn color. Best visited at park opening or late afternoon for soft light; Shinjuku Gyoen has an entry fee and weekday mornings are least crowded. Accessible paths and public transport (no dedicated parking). Respect signage and quiet park rules.
Hashigo-zaka Slope
A narrow, historic sloped street in Shinjuku with textured stone steps, traditional shopfronts and lanterns — ideal for intimate urban and architectural detail shots. Best at golden hour or blue hour when warm shop lights contrast cool sky. Easily reached on foot from Shinjuku Station; no entry fee. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Limited or no parking; accessible on foot but uneven paving and steps require comfortable shoes.
Shinjuku Wall 456
A large modern façade in busy Shinjuku offering graphic geometry, glass reflections and neon signage — ideal for urban architectural and night photography. Best at dusk and after dark when interior lights and street neon contrast; golden hour can give warm reflections on glass. Easily reached from Shinjuku Station (short walk); no formal entry or parking — shoot from sidewalk or crosswalks. Weekdays and late evenings reduce tourist crowds. Respect pedestrian flow and local signage.
歌舞伎町さくら通り
A short, neon-lined avenue in Kabukichō famous for cherry blossoms in season — a clash of delicate sakura and bustling nightlife signage. Shoot blossom canopies, reflections on wet pavement, and contrast between pink blooms and neon after dark. Easily reachable from Shinjuku Station; no entry fee. Best at golden hour through blue hour during cherry season (late March–early April). Expect crowds; street parking is limited. Be mindful in this entertainment district and avoid photographing people’s
Godzilla Head
The Godzilla Head perches above the Hotel Gracery in Kabukichō — an iconic, photo-ready urban sculpture that 'roars' over neon-lit streets. Shoot dramatic low-angle compositions that combine the sculpted head with surrounding signage and skyscrapers. Best at blue hour and after dark when the head is illuminated and intermittently emits smoke; weekdays and early mornings are less crowded. Accessible on foot from Shinjuku Station (5–10 min). Street-level photos require no entry; the hotel terrace/
Shinjuku City Shinjuku Park
A compact urban oasis near Shinjuku Station offering ponds, wooded paths, seasonal cherry blossoms and autumn color with Tokyo skyscrapers framing shots—great for contrasts between nature and city. Best at sunrise/blue hour for soft light and empty paths; weekdays are quieter. Easy to reach by public transit (short walk from Shinjuku); no entry fee, limited on-site parking. Respect quiet areas and local visitors.
Otomeyama Park
Small hillside park in western Shinjuku with walking trails, an observation terrace and seasonal plantings (cherry blossoms and maples). Shoot intimate nature scenes, layered compositions that combine trees with Tokyo rooftops, or skyline silhouettes from the terrace. Best at golden hour or early morning for soft light and few people. Free entry, no formal parking — use nearby train/subway and expect some stairs on the hill. Quiet neighborhood, respectful behavior appreciated.
Yoyogi Broadway
Compact indoor shopping arcade in Sendagaya offering retro boutiques, anime/manga shops, secondhand clothing and cozy eateries — great for tight urban frames, colorful signage, textures and candid street portraits. Easily reached from Yoyogi/Harajuku stations; no entry fee but narrow aisles and crowds midday. Best on weekday mornings for emptier alleys, or evening for neon-lit shopfronts. Watch for polite permission norms when photographing sellers or customers.
Miraion Lion Square
Small modern plaza in Shinjuku anchored by iconic lion sculptures and reflective paving — great for detail shots, urban composition and capturing Tokyo street life against nearby high-rises. Easily reached by Shinjuku Station; no entry fee. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and city glow; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Limited street parking; use public transit. Respect locals and avoid blocking walkways.
Ninja Trick House In Tokyo
Ninja Trick House is an interactive indoor attraction in Kabukichō with ninja-themed sets, forced-perspective backdrops, props and costumes for playful action shots. Shoot dynamic poses, levitation illusions and neon-lit exteriors. Best visited on weekday mornings or early evenings to avoid crowds; interiors are dim—expect controlled theatrical lighting. Reservations and entry fee usually required; located on 4F (stairs/elevator), no on-site parking. A fun cultural spin on ninja lore ideal for v
市郎兵衛坂
A narrow, historic Tokyo slope in Nakaochiai with layered stairways, low-rise wooden and concrete buildings, overhead wires and intimate street-level details — ideal for moody urban and documentary shots. Best visited at early morning or blue hour for soft directional light and emptier streets; weekdays are quieter. No entry fee; street access only and limited parking — use public transit. Respect residents' privacy and avoid blocking entrances. The slope's textures and compositional lines make它
Shinjuku City Hanazono West Park
Compact urban park next to Hanazono Shrine offering tidy flower beds, shaded paths, seasonal cherry blossoms and autumn color — a calm green pocket amid Shinjuku’s high-rises. Best at golden hour or early morning for soft light and fewer people; sakura season and shrine festivals add color and candid street-portrait opportunities. Easily reached on foot from Shinjuku station; no entry fee, limited on-street parking. Respect local customs during festivals and portrait shoots.
Mount Hakone (Hakone-yama)
A modest hill within Toyama Park (often called Hakone-yama) offering elevated views over Shinjuku’s residential pockets, seasonal cherry blossoms and autumn color. No entry fee; reachable by short walk from Waseda/Toyama stations. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light on blossoms and rooftops, and blue-hour for city lights. Easily accessible on foot; limited local parking. Pleasant for quick landscape/urban-frame studies and seasonal nature detail.
Statues of children riding fish and snail
Small bronze statues of children riding a fish and a snail sit in a plaza in Kabukichō — great for close-up character shots and for juxtaposing playful bronze with Shinjuku’s neon urban backdrop. No entry fee; street-level, wheelchair-accessible. Best at blue hour or late evening for neon reflections; weekday mornings are quiet. Limited parking — use public transit (Shinjuku Station a short walk).
Tour privado por Akihabara en Tokio y en español
Akihabara’s neon façades, stacked electronics shops, anime billboards and cosplay culture create high-contrast, colorful scenes ideal for street and night photography. Visit evenings for vibrant neon and LED reflections; weekday mornings for emptier streets and storefront details. Area is fully accessible by train (Akihabara Station); parking is limited. Many stores allow exterior shots but ask permission before photographing people or inside cafes; be mindful of privacy and local rules.
Tour del universo Ghibli por Tokio
A themed Ghibli pop-up/tour in Kabukichō — shoot vibrant storefronts, character displays, and neon-lit streets that contrast whimsical Ghibli motifs with Tokyo nightlife. Best at blue hour and after dark for saturated neon; daytime brings softer detail shots of signage and window displays. Accessible by foot from Shinjuku Station; no on-site parking, expect crowds on weekends and evenings. Check entry rules for indoor photography and be discreet in busy alleys; combine with nearby Golden Gai and
Kid's Area
Small neighborhood playground in Naitōmachi offering colorful play equipment, candid street-life moments and seasonal trees. Ideal for environmental portraits, detail shots of textures/paint and documenting everyday Tokyo family life. Best visited on weekday mornings for soft light and fewer families; golden hour adds warm rim light on equipment. Easily reached by metro (short walk from Shinjuku/Gyoen area), no entry fee, limited on-street parking — travel by train. Respect parents’ privacy and撮