Shinjuku Okubo Park: Must-see Spots,Event Schedule, and Access Guide 2025

Since moving to a neighborhood adjacent to Shinjuku in 2024, I've been visiting Shinjuku and Shin-okubo almost daily to explore its appeal and discover spots I can recommend to tourists. I updated this article in January 2025 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2025.

Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to safely and deeply experience Shinjuku's nightlife. As these tours gain popularity, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.

If you want to enjoy Shinjuku's nightlife, I recommend the "Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku," which ranked #1 on Tripadvisor. Our guides who know Shinjuku inside and out will take you bar hopping while avoiding dangerous areas, allowing you to fully enjoy Shinjuku at night.

I also recommend the "Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku," where you can enjoy premium wagyu beef barbecue and exceptional sushi. You'll learn from food-savvy tour guides about the best ways to grill your meat and proper sushi etiquette while enjoying exquisite Japanese cuisine.

To be honest, not everything is positive. At night, the atmosphere around the park changes, and you may encounter suspicious touts. To safely enjoy the Okubo Park area, it's important to understand the points I'll introduce in this article.

I hope you can safely and thoroughly enjoy Shinjuku's nightlife with Magical Trip's tours!

Introduction

Shinjuku is a vibrant and attractive district bustling with activity year-round, home to numerous shopping destinations including department stores. It's known as Japan's largest entertainment district, lined with countless izakayas and restaurants.

Shinjuku is also famous for its many tourist attractions, including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The district is particularly popular among international tourists as it contains Kabukicho, Japan's largest entertainment district.

In the heart of Kabukicho lies Shinjuku Okubo Park, which hosts various events throughout the year. In this article, we'll explore the park's features, event information, and its attractions from different perspectives.

Shinjuku Okubo Park: A 7-minute Walk from Shinjuku Station

Shinjuku Okubo Park is a municipal park located just a 7-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station. Situated in the center of Kabukicho, the park is bustling with visitors both day and night.

The park is divided into two main areas: a sports zone equipped with basketball and futsal courts, and the "Theater Park" space designed to accommodate various events.

In recent years, the park has become a cultural hub, hosting numerous events throughout the year that utilize the entire park grounds.

Various Gourmet Events Held in Autumn

While Shinjuku Okubo Park hosts events throughout the year, it's particularly famous for its concentration of gourmet events during autumn. In 2025, four major food events were held in the park from September to December.

These events are free to enter and open to anyone when they're being held. The 2024 event season began with an ice cream festival, followed by popular events featuring sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and pumpkins, as well as a ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles) tasting festival, all of which attracted large crowds.

Is Okubo Park a Dangerous Place?

It's true that illegal "touts" who approach visitors increase at night in Okubo Park. This issue has been covered by Japanese news media, and many foreign tourists have the impression that it's "dangerous."

The particular problem is solicitation for sexual services, called "tachimbo." Responding to such solicitation risks being charged exorbitant fees or unwittingly becoming complicit in crime. In fact, under Japanese law, not only providers of such services are arrested, but users may also be arrested as sex offenders.

Specifically, behavior such as 'tachimbo' as shown in the video below has actually been observed in the Okubo Park.

Furthermore, people involved in these activities have been arrested by the police. From this, it is absolutely necessary to avoid participating in these activities.

Source:YouTube

Additionally, the Kabukicho area adjacent to Okubo Park is Japan's premier entertainment district, with both safe areas and dangerous areas where tourists should not venture.

However, it's also true that there are many positive reasons for foreign tourists to visit Okubo Park and the Kabukicho area, with various restaurants and cultural events. Reading this article will help you safely enjoy the Kabukicho area where Okubo Park is located.

4 Points for Safely Enjoying the Okubo Park Area

Okubo Park and its surrounding area are certainly attractive places, but it's important to keep several points in mind to enjoy them safely. From my own experience and knowledge as a local resident, I'll introduce four important points.

Choose the Right Time

When visiting the Okubo Park area, choosing the right time is very important. To enjoy restaurants other than bars, daytime (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) is the safest, when almost all stores are open. During this time, there are many tourists and you can enjoy various experiences in a bright atmosphere.

On the other hand, it's best to avoid early morning when there are few people around, and late night when touts increase. Particularly after 9:00 PM, the atmosphere around the park changes significantly, and the possibility of receiving suspicious invitations increases. If you visit at night, pay special attention to the other three points.

When I guide friends, I always choose daytime hours to ensure they can experience Shinjuku's attractions safely and comfortably.

Move in Groups

When visiting the Okubo Park area, traveling in groups of two or more is overwhelmingly safer than visiting alone. Especially at night, moving with multiple people greatly reduces the risk of being approached. From my own experience, I'm rarely approached when I'm with friends.

I absolutely do not recommend solo travel, especially for women. If you must visit alone, choose a bright time of day and be careful not to enter alleys off the main streets.

As a local resident, I can say that visiting in groups has benefits beyond safety – you can also share various foods and drinks. Especially at food events, you can taste a little from different vendors for a more fulfilling experience.

Don't Respond to Suspicious Solicitations

Around Okubo Park, never respond to invitations like "I'll guide you to a special place" or "there's a secret bar." Many such solicitations risk being taken to fraudulent establishments that charge exorbitant fees.

Also beware of solicitations that begin with natural conversation like "I want to learn Japanese" or "I want to practice English." While conversations with strangers can be enjoyable, if you're invited to "a good place" during the conversation, I recommend politely declining.

Avoid accepting flyers or cards handed out on the street. Be especially cautious of solicitations for free or cheap establishments. In Japanese entertainment districts, it's safer to assume that "too good to be true" offers always have a catch.

Personally, I never respond to strangers' approaches in Kabukicho at night. This is because truly good establishments don't need to solicit customers on the street.

Use Local Guided Tours

To enjoy the Okubo Park area most safely and fully, I most recommend using local guided tours. Guides know hidden local gems and safe routes, leading you to wonderful spots that tourists alone couldn't find.

A major benefit is interpretation to help you understand the culture beyond language barriers. You can gain information about Japanese food culture and historical background that you wouldn't understand just by visiting, greatly enhancing your experience.

Furthermore, there's the security of being protected from sudden touts or solicitations. While the Kabukicho area where Okubo Park is located has great appeal as a nighttime entertainment district, the danger also increases during those hours. However, with a tour, you can safely enjoy this area even at night.

3 Recommended Tours to Safely Enjoy the Kabukicho/Shinjuku Area Where Okubo Park is Located

Here, I'll introduce three special tours offered by us at MagicalTrip. These tours allow you to fully enjoy Tokyo nights with food, drinks, and photography.

Why MagicalTrip Tours Are Recommended

As mentioned in this article, without proper knowledge, you may encounter unexpected trouble in the Kabukicho area where Okubo Park is located.

With MagicalTrip tours, English-speaking guides familiar with the local area accompany you, allowing you to experience the true charm of Kabukicho and Shinjuku without worrying about language barriers or lack of knowledge. Guides know safe routes thoroughly and will lead you to hidden gems that tourists could never find on their own.

When I guide friends from abroad, I sometimes entrust the depth of Japanese culture that I can't fully convey with my knowledge alone to professional guides. The effect is tremendous, and my friends are always moved, saying "We could never have had this experience by ourselves."

Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

The greatest appeal of this tour is visiting hidden local gems that tourists could never find. During the 3.5-hour tour, you'll start from Omoide Yokocho and visit three carefully selected izakayas in various areas of Shinjuku.

The participation fee includes more than 4 drinks and 3 delicious dishes such as yakitori and sashimi offered at each establishment.

During the tour, you'll act in small groups, naturally interacting with other participants, and it's not uncommon to develop international friendships by the end of the tour. English-proficient guides provide detailed explanations of Japanese food culture and drinking etiquette, making it a cultural exchange beyond just a dining experience.

For more details: Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

This is a luxurious gourmet tour where you can simultaneously enjoy Japan's finest ingredients, "wagyu" and "sushi."

On the tour, you'll enjoy 8 pieces of seasonal chef's choice nigiri at a high-end sushi restaurant popular with locals. The guide will carefully explain the "correct way to eat sushi," which troubles many foreigners, so you can enjoy authentic sushi without embarrassment.

At the wagyu yakiniku restaurant you'll visit next, you can experience grilling high-quality Japanese wagyu yourself. Learning the optimal grilling method and timing for each cut from the guide allows you to acquire the technique to bring out the original flavor of wagyu to the maximum.

The tour concludes with dessert or drinks in the Kabukicho area, ensuring a deep understanding and satisfaction with Japanese food.

For more details: Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo by Night Photography Tour

This tour is recommended not only for photography enthusiasts but for anyone who wants to create wonderful memories to post on social media.

The night scenery of Shinjuku and Shibuya shows a completely different face from daytime. On this tour, a professional photographer guide will lead you to about 10 carefully selected photo spots with the best angles and lighting conditions.

The guide will take photos of participants with a DSLR camera and provide more than 20 high-quality photos as data after the tour. You can obtain photos with professional composition and lighting that could never be captured with selfies or smartphone photography, creating memories to last a lifetime.

For more details: Tokyo by Night Photography Tour

Three Attractions of Okubo Park Explained in Detail by a Local Shinjuku Resident

A Unique and Attractive Atmosphere Where Japanese and Korean Cultures Blend

Okubo Park (Okubo Koen) has a distinctive atmosphere where Japanese and Korean cultures blend, due to its proximity to Shin-Okubo, an area lined with many Korean restaurants. It's only a 5-minute walk from Okubo Park to Shin-Okubo, and the street signs in Hangul make you feel as if you're in Korea.

The area around Okubo Park has long been known as a neighborhood with many foreign residents. Besides Korean establishments, there are restaurants and supermarkets offering Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Myanmar cuisine, giving the area an ethnic atmosphere. As you walk through the streets, you'll hear various languages being spoken, highlighting the area's international character. This mix of Asian cultures is rare in Tokyo, so it's worth exploring.

In addition to Korean restaurants, there are many cosmetic shops stocking the latest Korean beauty products.

Excellent Access to Both Shinjuku and Shin-Okubo

Okubo Park is conveniently located with excellent transportation access from nearby stations. It's about an 8-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station, and a 6-minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station (one stop from Shinjuku on the Yamanote Line's outer loop).

The park's location offers superb access from both Shinjuku and Shin-Okubo stations. From Shinjuku Station, you can reach it by walking straight down Kabukicho Ichiban-gai, the main street.

When coming from Shin-Okubo Station, walk towards Shinjuku Station and cross Shokuan-dori Avenue. However, accessing from Shin-Okubo Station involves walking through narrow alleys, which can be confusing for first-time visitors.

For those visiting Okubo Park for the first time, accessing from Shinjuku Station is recommended as the route is easier to navigate.

Various Recreational Facilities Installed During the 2010 Renovation

Source: Shinjuku City Official

Located in the heart of Kabukicho, Okubo Park underwent major renovations in 2010, transforming it into a bright and welcoming space. Half of the park's grounds feature two basketball courts, providing facilities that contribute to sports interactions.

The basketball courts are decorated with contemporary art in blue tones and are affectionately known as the "Art Court." Additionally, a multipurpose plaza called "Theater Park" was developed within the park, enabling various events to be held.

The renovation also made it possible to set up tents, allowing for music events and theatrical performances. The park hosts various events and makes a significant contribution to energizing the Kabukicho area.

Monthly Gourmet Events at Okubo Park

Various events are held at Shinjuku Okubo Park throughout the year, but food-related events are particularly abundant. This is one of the reasons I frequently visit. Events tend to be more numerous from summer to autumn. Here, I'll introduce the main gourmet events held monthly.

Events in August

Spicy Gourmet Festival (Late August to October annually)

Source:Wikipedia

The "Spicy Gourmet Festival," Japan's largest spicy food event, is held annually from summer to autumn. Organized by the Spicy Gourmet Festival Executive Committee, this event is supported by many spicy food lovers.

With the theme "Super spicy but super delicious!" carefully selected spicy gourmet foods representing countries around the world come together. It's a precious opportunity to enjoy spicy dishes from various countries and regions at once, including Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese cuisines, and ramen.

Don't worry if you're not good with spicy food. All stores can adjust the spiciness, so you can enjoy according to your preference. I personally love spicy food and look forward to this event every year, especially the spicy versions of authentic Thai cuisine which are exquisite.

Admission: Free
Website: Currently Unavailable

Events in September

Ice Cream Festival (Mid to Late September annually)

Source: Official Account on X

The "Ice Cream Festival" held from mid to late September is perfect for the lingering heat. Admission is free, and you can enjoy various ice creams with a food ticket system (in 200 yen increments).

Super popular shaved ice shop "Anchor Dress" and ice parfait shop "Ice at 9 PM" and others offer not only delicious but photogenic menus perfect for social media. Various cooling menus including ice cream, gelato, and shaved ice come together, helping you forget the heat during this hot season.

Admission: Free
Website: https://icefes.com/

Tsukemen Championship of Japan (Late September)

Source: Loa-Tike

The Tsukemen Championship of Japan is a contest held at Shinjuku Okubo Park in late September to determine Japan's best tsukemen (dipping noodles). More than 100 shops from across Japan enter this competition, and 36 carefully selected stores compete for the title through visitor voting.

The event runs for one month, with participating shops rotating weekly, allowing visitors to taste various ramen styles. Meal tickets can be purchased at the venue for 850 yen, which can be used at any ramen shop.

These meal tickets can be pre-purchased at Lawson convenience stores for 800 yen, offering a discount compared to venue prices. I always buy mine at Lawson. Each ramen shop serves original tsukemen created specifically for the competition, making this the perfect event for those who want to indulge in tsukemen.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite ramen, as the winner is determined by visitor votes.

<Information>
Admission: Free
Website: https://dai-tsukemen-haku.com/

Events in November

Sweet Potato, Chestnut, and Pumpkin Festival (November)

The Sweet Potato, Chestnut, and Pumpkin Festival is held at Shinjuku Okubo Park in November, when these ingredients are in season. Visitors can enjoy creative dishes and sweets made from sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and pumpkins.

The festival is divided into two stages, allowing visitors to thoroughly enjoy autumn flavors. Each stage features more than 30 different dishes and sweets made from sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and pumpkins, perfect for food lovers looking for lunch or dinner options. 

Although the event is held during the cold autumn season, the venue features a large heated tent for comfortable dining. Dishes are reasonably priced between 400 and 1,000 yen, making it easy to enjoy various foods.

<Information>
Admission: Free
Website: https://ikkfes.com/

TRY Ramen Awards Festival (November to Early December)

The TRY Ramen Awards Festival is held at Shinjuku Okubo Park from late November to early December.

The event features award-winning shops from the TRY Ramen Awards, Japan's most prestigious ramen industry award, along with top ramen shops selected by the gourmet magazine "Otona no Shumatsu." This is an unmissable event for ramen enthusiasts, as it brings together Japan's most representative ramen shops.

While admission is free, visitors need to purchase 1,000 yen meal tickets that can be used at any participating shop. The venue offers not only traditional shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) ramen but also tsukemen (dipping noodles) and mazesoba (mixed noodles) where sauce and oil are mixed before eating.

The venue features a covered, heated dining space for comfortable dining.

<Information>
Admission: Free
Website: https://bluesmobile.co.jp/shikou/

Access to Okubo Park

Address: 2-43 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6-minute walk from JR Shin-Okubo Station / 8-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5273-3914
Official Website: https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/seikatsu/midori02_000105.html

3 Recommended Tourist Spots in Kabukicho to Visit Along with Shinjuku Okubo Park

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Shinjuku Golden Gai is a dining district in Kabukicho filled with rows of barrack-style buildings. In a small area of about 6,600 square feet, numerous small wooden bars and izakayas are packed together, totaling nearly 300 establishments. With many unique establishments gathered in one place, it was once a favorite hideaway for writers and other cultural figures.

Currently, its distinctive atmosphere has gained popularity, making it a favorite Tokyo hotspot that attracts many international tourists. Each establishment is small and cramped, with most bars becoming full with just 5-6 customers.

Due to this intimacy, the distance between customers and the bartender is close, creating a welcoming atmosphere even for first-time visitors. Note that Golden Gai is entirely private property, so photographing establishments without permission is prohibited. If you wish to take pictures, please make sure to obtain permission from the establishment first.

Address: 1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Varies by establishment
Closed Days: Varies by establishment
Phone: 03-3209-6418
Official Website: http://golden-gai.tokyo/

Kabukicho Tower

Source: Official website

Kabukicho Tower is a new landmark in Kabukicho that opened in 2023. Standing 225 meters tall with 48 floors above ground, it's one of Japan's largest mixed-use facilities, housing hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, and theaters. Uniquely for Japan, it contains no office floors, with all tenants being entertainment-related facilities.

The 18th and 39th-47th floors house a luxury hotel, while the 45th-47th floors feature restaurants offering panoramic views of Tokyo, open to non-hotel guests. The restaurant windows span three floors, allowing diners to enjoy meals while taking in breathtaking, open views.

On the second floor, you'll find Kabuki Yokocho, a food court themed around festivals. It's a lively food hall where you can enjoy delicious ingredients from across Japan along with drinks in a vibrant space that combines food, music, and visual elements.

If you're looking to indulge in premium entertainment, be sure to visit Kabukicho Tower.

Address: 1-29-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Varies by establishment
Closed Days: Varies by establishment
Phone: 03-5272-2110
Official Website: https://www.tokyu-kabukicho-tower.jp/

Shinjuku Toho Building

Completed in 2015, the Shinjuku Toho Building stands 130 meters tall in the heart of Kabukicho, serving as a landmark of the district. This site was formerly home to the Shinjuku Koma Theater, a music venue, but was transformed into its current form due to aging infrastructure and redevelopment projects.

The Shinjuku Toho Building has become a beloved entertainment hub, featuring a cinema complex with 12 screens, a restaurant district, and a hotel. Located just a short walk from shinjuku okubo park, the building's restaurants offer an extensive selection, making it perfect for both lunch and dinner experiences.

On the 8th floor, where the hotel entrance is located, visitors can find the head of Godzilla, Japan's iconic monster character, which has become a popular photo spot. It's a safe and enjoyable way to experience Kabukicho, so we highly recommend a visit.

Address: 1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Varies by establishment
Closing Days: Open 24 hours
Phone: 03-3344-4816
Official Website: https://shinjuku-toho-bldg.toho.co.jp/

For Bar Hopping in Shinjuku, Try a Tour with a Local Expert Guide!

This tour takes you to unique izakayas and bars in Shinjuku that tourists rarely discover. The tour visits three establishments in Shinjuku, and with a multilingual guide, you won't need to worry about language barriers.

The tour begins at Omoide Yokocho near Shinjuku Station's West Exit, where you'll enjoy fresh yakitori, seafood, and vegetables at a small izakaya. Then, you'll head to a hidden gem bar in Kabukicho, where you can enjoy drinks while socializing with other tour participants.

The tour fee includes all food and drinks, so you can join empty-handed. By participating in the tour, you'll have the opportunity to make friends with people from various nationalities while enjoying drinks. If you're looking to spend a wonderful night in Tokyo, check the details through the link below.

Meeting Point: Black pillar next to UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour Area: Around Shinjuku Station, Kabukicho
tart Times: 17:00/18:00/18:30/19:00　

Click here for more details