Secret Backstreets, 1h 30m

Tokyo: Shinjuku Historical Walking Tour & Secret Backstreets

★ 4.73/5 612 reviews on GuruWalk

Free pay what you want

Run by an independent local guide on GuruWalk

Takes you to the guide's GuruWalk page, where a free place is reserved directly. Nothing is paid here, and the walk is free, pay what you want.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Language: English
Meeting point: Shinjuku Station, East Exit
Where it walks: Shinjuku
Guide: Local Guide Stars
What it costs: Free, pay what you want

Overview

This 1 hour 30 minute walk, run by Local Guide Stars and reserved through GuruWalk, meets outside the police box at Shinjuku Station's East Exit. Shinjuku station holds the Guinness World Record as the world's busiest train station, and the surrounding area is Japan's largest entertainment district, so the contrast between the main drag and the alleys behind it is the whole point of the walk.

Close view of small bar entrances with lantern light along a wooden alley

The guide, holding a Local Guide Stars sign, leads a route the operator describes as six stops long. Expect a dining area packed with more than 300 restaurants and bars, the backstreets of what the operator calls Tokyo's only slum district, a traditional shrine tucked among the buildings, and a look at pachinko, Japan's take on the casino. Along the way the guides pass on their own recommendations for restaurants and izakayas.

The walk runs in English and is free, pay what you want: booking costs nothing and you pay the guide what you feel the walk was worth at the end. Pick a date and read the full details on the guide's GuruWalk page.

Itinerary

Stop	What Happens
Meet at Shinjuku East Exit	Meet in front of the Shinjuku East Exit Police Box at Shinjuku Station. The guide holds a sign reading Local Guide Stars.
Dining area with bars	The operator's highlights include a dining area it says holds more than 300 restaurants and bars. The exact stop order is not published in advance.
Slum district backstreets	The highlights also include exploring the backstreets of what the operator calls Tokyo's only slum district.
Hidden traditional shrine	A traditional shrine tucked away in the heart of the metropolis appears among the tour highlights.
Pachinko	Pachinko, described by the operator as Japan's unique take on a casino, is another highlight. Its position in the route is not published.
Guide recommendations	Throughout the walk the guide shares insider tips on restaurants and izakayas in the neighbourhood.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points before you book, all drawn from the operator's listing.

Meeting point. The meeting point is the Shinjuku East Exit Police Box at Shinjuku Station, and the guide carries a Local Guide Stars sign. Shinjuku Station is large, so allow time to find the correct exit. There is no pickup; everyone makes their own way there.
Duration and pace. The operator's description involves wandering through alleyways known to locals.
Language. This walk runs in English. The guide's GuruWalk page lists English as the language for this walk.
Food and drink. No food or drink is included. The guides give recommendations for restaurants and izakayas as you go, which is useful if you want to eat in the neighbourhood afterwards.

“Jessica was our tour guide and she did a great job. Thank for showing us a gem view that is yet not so crowded, quite an interesting tour. Thank you!”

Maria, GuruWalk review of Secret Backstreets, 1h 30m

Entertainment district. Shinjuku is Japan's largest entertainment district and the walk covers its lanes and backstreets, including a look at pachinko. The operator does not state specific start times.
Booking model. Booking is free on GuruWalk and you pay the guide what you think the walk was worth at the end. Nothing is charged up front for the guiding itself.

Common issues. The operator does not state any food, drinks or entry fees as included, so budget separately for anything you eat or want to try, including pachinko if you play. The route visits the backstreets of what the operator calls a slum district. No details are given on accessibility, group size or minimum numbers, so anyone with specific needs should raise them with the guide through GuruWalk before booking.

Free Sights Nearby

Place	Free Or Ticketed	What Is Free	What You Still Pay For
Tokyo Fire Museum	Free	Admission free. 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays and 29 December to 3 January per the Fire Department.	Nothing to pay.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories	Free	Free observatories at 202 metres, no reservation. South Observatory 9:30 to 21:30 entry; North Observatory 9:30 to 17:00 entry.	Nothing to pay. Shops and cafe inside are separate. Tripods are not allowed.
Omoide Yokocho	Free	Smoky yakitori alley beside Shinjuku Station; free to walk.	Food and drink are paid, some counters have a seat charge.

What To Know Before A Free Walk

How Much Does The Tour Cost?

The guiding is free, pay what you want. Booking through GuruWalk costs nothing, and at the end you pay the guide what you think the walk was worth.

Where Does The Walk Start?

It starts in front of the Shinjuku Police Station East Exit Police Box at Shinjuku Station. The guide waits there holding a sign that says Local Guide Stars. Hotel pickup is not part of this walk.

How Long Is The Walk?

The duration is 1.5 hours, as stated on the GuruWalk listing.

Is Food Or Drink Included?

No. The operator includes no food or drinks, and nothing in the description says otherwise. Guides do share their own recommendations for restaurants and izakayas, which you can follow up on your own budget.

What Will We See?

The operator describes a route with six stops, including a dining area with more than 300 restaurants and bars, the backstreets of Tokyo's only slum district, a traditional shrine, and pachinko. The exact sequence is not published in advance.

What Language Is The Tour In?

This walk runs in English. The guide's GuruWalk page lists English as the language, so it suits travellers who want an English-speaking guide in Shinjuku.