Shinjuku vacation rentals

Bustling and blossoming Shinjuku

One of the busiest commercial centers of Japan's capital city, Shinjuku draws visitors with its historic shrines, picturesque temples and buzzing atmosphere. There's no shortage of entertainment, whether you prefer quiet strolls in city parks under the flowering cherry blossom trees that paint the town pink each spring, bicycle tours with the family to Tokyo's top attractions or amazing sunset views towards Mount Fuji from soaring observation decks on city skyscrapers. Once you find your ideal Shinjuku vacation rental, it's off to the many shops, museums and delicious restaurants waiting for you just around the corner.

Uncovering the history of Shinjuku

After spending some time visiting the city sites and temples in Shinjuku, experience the country's culture at the Samurai Museum, where you can learn all about centuries of samurai history during the various invasions of Japan. The museum presents the traditional armor and weaponry of the warriors in chronological displays and samurai performers put on thrilling battle re-enactments. Afterwards, the whole family can get in on the fun. Try on samurai costumes and helmets, called kabutos, and snap some photos to remember the unique experience.

Discovering temples and tasty eats in Shinjuku

With so many landmarks to see in the commercial center of Tokyo, a guided city tour will help you get around to some of the most-important spots. Several companies offer walking or biking itineraries by night or day to the shrines, temples and government buildings that fill the district. Many will take you to the nearby Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Emperor of Japan. If you're interested in sampling some tasty local dishes, food tours are another popular choice and introduce you to some of the best eateries and markets to try around your Shinjuku vacation rental.

Spring awakening in Shinjuku

There's nothing like seeing the cherry blossom trees bloom in Tokyo each spring. The window to see them is narrow, typically falling between late March and mid-April, but visiting anytime during the season means perfectly-cool and sunny days in the 60s and 70s that make touring the city all the more enjoyable. Late fall brings similarly-comfortable weather and low rainfall, in addition to gorgeous fall colors in parks all around the city. Booking your Shinjuku vacation rental during spring or fall also means avoiding the peak summer season, when crowds and temperatures rise.

Spreading out in city parks in Shinjuku

After spending some time exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, a visit to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden offers a welcome natural respite. The park spreads out over more than 140 acres in the middle of the city and has 3 distinct garden areas designed in French, English and traditional Japanese styles, with 100s of gorgeous cherry trees that blossom each spring. Bring a picnic lunch and blanket to stretch out on one of the grassy lawns before taking a walk along winding paths that cross over large ponds. You'll also find a greenhouse filled with varieties of tropical and subtropical plants to admire.