Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

The safest red-light district in the world Shinjuku (新宿) and Takadanobaba (高田馬場) have many different faces. What is said to be the most dangerous neighborhood in town, Kabukicho (歌舞伎町), is in Shinjuku, and the skyscraper district on the west side houses some of Tokyo's most successful businesses and hotels. Takadanobaba is a few stations over and is a college town. Here you'll find great ethnic restaurants, cheap stores, second hand book shops and rowdy young people.

Ambrosia French In classical mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods. Feel divine looking down at the world below from the 44th floor of this Keio Plaza Hotel restaurant. The head chef received recognition for his culinary skills from the French government before establishing himself here. Perhaps this is the perfect place to forget your mortal worries... at least for a few hours. Open year-round. Dinner from around ￥11,500. Menu in French and Japanese. Keio Plaza Hotel 44F, 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3344-0111 (hotel Station: Shinjuku (JR west exit), Nishi-Shinjuku (metro), Tochomae (Toei Oedo line exit B1) more information...

Hanezu (朱華) steak The secret is in the seasoning. Hanezu keeps it simple using a special type of salt from saltwater and seaweed, which is they assure customers is all the flavoring one needs when cooking the finest Japanese Black cattle. Enjoy your steak hot off the teppan (grill) inside the East-meets-West interior. Recommended: though the VIP room may be tempting, request a seat at one of the main teppanyaki counters to get the most out of the sizzling action. Courses from ￥8,000. Menu in Japanese. Aitosu Bldg. 2F, 2-22-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku 03-5287-5622 Station: Shinjuku (JR east exit), Higashi-Shinjuku (Toei Oedo line), Shinjuku-Sanchome (Toei Shinjuku line) more information...

Kao Tai (カオタイ) Thai Feel like you are back on Khaosan Road―the restaurant is just as lively as the famous strip in Bangkok where locals and visitors come together. Recommended: the refreshing and authentic Spicy Green Papaya Som Tam Salad (￥1,030, pictured), flavored with just the right combination of lemon and fish sauce to give it that kick. Recommended: start your afternoon with the lunch buffet (￥900 on weekdays, ￥1,000 on weekends) before taking a stroll down all the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood. Dinner from around ￥2,500. Menu in Japanese. Arai Bldg. B1, 2-14-6 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku 03-3204-5806 Station: Takadanobaba (metro exit 6; JR, Seibu Shinjuku line: Waseda exit) more information...

Kouei (幸永) Korean barbeque Our favorite spot for late-night juicy yakiniku (焼肉, Korean barbeque) cravings, especially the innards (ho-ru-mon or ホルモン, and it tastes better than it sounds!). Due to the popularity of the original restaurant, the operation has grown from one to four shops, all in Shinjuku. Glowing red lanterns and shichirin (charcoal braziers) outside the shops are your markers. Recommended: tan-shio (タン塩, salted beef tongue), kiwami horumon (極ホルモン, beef innards), and the various soups. Dinner from around ￥4,000. Menu in Japanese. 2-4-11 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku 03-3205-4364 Station: Higashi-Shinjuku (Toei Oedo line exit A1) more information...

Polestar bar The dark and chic interior is a beautiful contrast to the glittering view outside, whether it's the sunset or the evening skyline. Sit at the counter and see Tokyo sprawled out before your eyes, or sit back on the comfy lounge sofas and soak in the atmosphere. Recommended: watch the sunset with \800 drinks during Twilight Cocktail Time every day until 19:00. Cocktails from ￥1,365 (plus a 10% service charge). Menu in English and Japanese. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Honkan 45F, 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3344-0111 (hotel Station: Shinjuku (JR west exit; Keio, Odakyu, metro: exit A16), Tochomae (Toei Oedo line exit B1) more information...

Shinjuku Nakamuraya (新宿中村屋本店) curry restaurant, bakery Nakamuraya has been a Shinjuku landmark since setting up shop in 1909. With six stories including the basement and an attached east wing, several trips may be necessary to take in the whole package. The different restaurants and tea salons serve a wide range of cuisines to satisfy any cosmopolitan gourmand, from Chinese to European to Indian curry. They are most famous for their Indian curry and their sweets and breads. Recommended: for a quick bite on the road, order the curry bread from the first floor. It's deep fried at the store, so eat it while it's hot! Curry bread ￥158 on the 1st floor. Curry from ￥1,470 on the 2nd floor. Menu in Japanese. 3-26-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3552-6161 Station: Shinjuku (JR east exit; metro exit A6) more information...

Sucre Sale French bistro A friendly bistro serving up both quality and quantity. A mostly white and salmon-pink interior adds to the relaxed, joie de vivre ambience of southern France. Orthodox French fare. Open late. Courses from ￥3,675. Menu in French and Japanese. Nao Bldg. 1F, 9-7 Arakicho, Shinjuku-ku 03-3351-8741 Station: Yotsuya-Sanchome, Akebonobashi (Toei Shinjuku line exit A1) more information...

Ivan Ramen (アイバンラーメン) Ramen Ivan Ramen is a small corner ramen eatery in Rokakoen, 15 minutes from Shinjuku on the local line. Ivan is the owner, the chef, the founder and the operations manager at this ramen-ya, and he's serving up authentic Japanese ramen, which the Japanese are just eating up. Whether it be duck confit or homemade ramen noodles, it’s easy to imagine Ivan making it with the same intensity. 3-24-7 Minamikarasuyama Setagaya-ku 03-6750-5540 Station: Rokakouen Station (JR Keio Honsen Line North Exit) 2 min walk more information...