- In One Sentence
- 1. Basic Information
- 2. Character of the Neighborhood
- 3. Safety and the Atmosphere at Night
- 4. Average Rent
- 5. Shopping Within Walking Distance
- 6. Medical Facilities
- 7. Local Restaurants
- 8. Ramen Spot
- 9. Character of the Railway Line
- 10. Access to Major Stations
- 11. Shrines, Parks, and Cultural Spaces
- 12. Disaster Risk
- 13. Advantages / Disadvantages
- 14. Who This Area Suits
- 15. Conclusion
In One Sentence
Known for its Korean cultural district, yet just a few streets away you’ll find quiet residential blocks.
Shin-Okubo is one of Tokyo’s most international neighborhoods.
【Photo: Shin-Okubo Station】
Recommended search keywords
新大久保駅
Shin-Okubo Station JR
Google Maps search
Shin-Okubo Station
1. Basic Information
Location
Hyakunincho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Railway Lines
JR Yamanote Line
Daily passengers
About 40,000 passengers per day
Station character
Shin-Okubo Station is a relatively small station on the Yamanote Line.
However, the streets around the station are lively and energetic.
The reason is the well-known Korean cultural district concentrated near the station.
Around the station you will find
Korean cultural shopping streets
older residential neighborhoods
areas with many international residents and students
Because the station is only one stop from Shinjuku,
it has quietly become a convenient residential location within central Tokyo.
2. Character of the Neighborhood
The atmosphere around Shin-Okubo changes depending on which direction you walk.
The street directly outside the station, Okubo-dori Avenue, is lined with Korean restaurants, cafes, and cosmetic shops.
During the day it is busy with visitors and shoppers.
The nearby Shokuan-dori area also has many Asian restaurants and international grocery stores, giving the area a very global atmosphere.
However, once you walk a few minutes away from the main streets, the environment changes.
The residential streets of Hyakunincho are calm and quiet, filled with small apartment buildings and local homes.
At night, after most visitors leave the area, the neighborhood becomes surprisingly peaceful.
For commuters, Shinjuku is only one stop away on the Yamanote Line, making daily travel extremely convenient.
3. Safety and the Atmosphere at Night
Because Shin-Okubo is a popular destination for food and shopping, the streets are busy during the daytime.
Restaurants and cafes attract many visitors, especially on weekends.
In the evening, however, the atmosphere gradually becomes calmer.
Unlike nearby Kabukicho in Shinjuku,
there are relatively few late-night entertainment venues.
Once you walk into the surrounding residential streets, foot traffic decreases quickly and the neighborhood becomes quiet.
Although many international residents live here, the area generally feels like a typical urban residential district.
4. Average Rent
Compared with other Yamanote Line stations, Shin-Okubo is relatively affordable.
Studio apartment
¥80,000 – ¥110,000 per month
1LDK apartment
¥140,000 – ¥200,000 per month
2LDK apartment
¥220,000 – ¥320,000 per month
Considering that Shinjuku is only one station away, the location offers good value for central Tokyo.
Another advantage is that both Okubo Station and Takadanobaba Station are also within walking distance.
5. Shopping Within Walking Distance
MyBasket Shin-Okubo Station Front
Type
Supermarket
Walking distance
About 2 minutes
Opening hours
7:00 – 23:00
Living comment
A small but convenient grocery store directly near the station.
Perfect for picking up ingredients on the way home from work.
Hanamasa Okubo Store
Type
Supermarket
Walking distance
About 6 minutes
Opening hours
24 hours
Living comment
A well-known discount supermarket.
Popular for its low prices and late-night availability.
Don Quijote Shinjuku Store
Type
Discount store
Walking distance
About 10 minutes
Opening hours
24 hours
Living comment
A large store selling everything from daily goods to groceries.
Very useful for late-night shopping.
【Photo: Shin-Okubo Koreatown】
Recommended search keywords
新大久保 コリアンタウン
Shin Okubo Koreatown street
Summary
Most nearby grocery options are compact supermarkets,
but with several larger stores within walking distance, daily shopping is easy.
6. Medical Facilities
Tokyo Yamate Medical Center
Walking distance
About 10 minutes
Departments
General hospital
Living comment
A major regional hospital serving the Okubo area.
Okubo Hospital
Walking distance
About 12 minutes
Departments
General hospital
Living comment
A public hospital in Shinjuku Ward with emergency care services.
Hyakunincho Alpha Clinic
Walking distance
About 6 minutes
Departments
Internal medicine
Living comment
A neighborhood clinic located within a residential area.
Summary
With multiple general hospitals nearby, healthcare access in this area is reliable.
7. Local Restaurants
Ryang’s House Shin-Okubo Main Store
Walking distance
About 3 minutes
Closing time
23:00
Price examples
Beer
¥700
Sour
¥650
Dishes
Seafood pancake
¥1200
Japchae noodles
¥900
Atmosphere
A long-established Korean restaurant in Shin-Okubo with a relaxed atmosphere.
Hanari Korean Restaurant
Walking distance
About 4 minutes
Closing time
23:00
Price examples
Beer
¥700
Makgeolli
¥900
Dishes
Samgyeopsal
¥1500
Kimchi stew
¥1100
Atmosphere
A popular restaurant visited by both locals and visitors.
Matchan Restaurant No.2
Walking distance
About 5 minutes
Closing time
23:30
Price examples
Beer
¥700
Sour
¥600
Dishes
Thick-cut samgyeopsal
¥1600
Korean pancake
¥1100
Atmosphere
A lively restaurant known for its grilled meat dishes.
8. Ramen Spot
Ramen Tatsunoya Shin-Okubo
Walking distance
About 4 minutes
Price
Around ¥900
Feature
A ramen shop known for its rich tonkotsu (pork bone) broth.
9. Character of the Railway Line
The JR Yamanote Line circles central Tokyo.
It connects major districts including
Shinjuku
Shibuya
Ikebukuro
Tokyo Station
Trains run very frequently, making commuting easy.
10. Access to Major Stations
Shinjuku Station
About 3 minutes
Ikebukuro Station
About 10 minutes
Shibuya Station
About 15 minutes
Tokyo Station
About 25 minutes
Last train
Yamanote Line trains run until around 1:00 AM,
so late returns from work are usually manageable.
11. Shrines, Parks, and Cultural Spaces
Kaichu Inari Shrine
Walking distance
About 3 minutes
Google Maps search
Kaichu Inari Shrine
【Photo: Kaichu Inari Shrine】
Recommended search keywords
皆中稲荷神社
Kaichu Inari Shrine
A small local shrine known for its association with luck in competitions.
Toyama Park
Walking distance
About 15 minutes
Google Maps search
Toyama Park Shin-Okubo
【Photo: Toyama Park (Shin-Okubo area)】
Recommended search keywords
戸山公園 新大久保
Toyama Park Shin Okubo
One of the larger parks in Shinjuku Ward.
It is a popular place for walking, jogging, and relaxing outdoors.
12. Disaster Risk
Shin-Okubo lies near the Musashino Plateau.
Elevation
About 30 meters above sea level
Flood risk
Low
Because the area is far from major rivers, the risk of flooding is relatively low.
The ground in this area is also considered relatively stable.
13. Advantages / Disadvantages
Advantages
Transportation
★★★★★
Only one stop to Shinjuku.
Daily convenience
★★★★☆
Many restaurants and shops nearby.
Rent value
★★★★☆
Relatively affordable for a Yamanote Line location.
Disadvantages
Tourist crowds
★★☆☆☆
The area can be crowded on weekends.
Street noise
★★☆☆☆
Some streets near the station are busy.
14. Who This Area Suits
Shin-Okubo is well suited for people who
work in Shinjuku
want to live on the Yamanote Line
enjoy an international neighborhood atmosphere
want relatively affordable housing in central Tokyo
15. Conclusion
Shin-Okubo is one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Tokyo.
It is famous for its Korean cultural district, and the streets are lively during the daytime.
But just a short walk away, quiet residential neighborhoods appear.
Being only one stop from Shinjuku makes the location extremely convenient for daily life.
After leaving the busy streets near the station and walking into the surrounding neighborhood, the atmosphere becomes calm.
Shin-Okubo offers an interesting balance between urban convenience and an international cultural atmosphere.
It is a place where Tokyo feels both lively and surprisingly livable at the same time.
Check nearby Yamanote Line stations
← Shinjuku Station Tokyo Living Guide ｜ Shin-Okubo Station ｜ Takadanobaba Station Tokyo Living Guide →
