Day 2 – Part 3: Neon Night Shinjuku

Our evening unfolded in Shinjuku, where the city seems to switch from “busy” to “full sensory overload” the moment the sun sets. We wandered through Omoide Yokocho, its narrow alleys glowing with lanterns and packed with tiny food stalls. The smell of grilled yakitori mixed with the chatter of locals created that unmistakable Shinjuku atmosphere.

From there we headed into Golden Gai, a maze of tiny bars stacked like mismatched Lego pieces. Each doorway revealed a different world—jazz, whisky, retro posters, or simply a cat staring out at passers-by. It’s chaotic, charming, and wonderfully strange.

Our final stop was Kabukicho, where neon signs, giant screens, and crowds turn every corner into a moving, glowing scene. We passed through the busy train station on our way back, swept up in the late-night rush of commuters, tourists, and the never-ending rhythm of the city.

A perfect end to a long, vivid, very Tokyo day.Read more