101 things to do in Shinjuku

51. Shop for a bargain...

Look for the giant turtle painted on a flashy yellow building and you'll be on the doorstep of this 50-year-old store that sells everything from knickerbockers and jika-tabi (work shoes) to hot-pink helmets and Hello Kitty items. Mannen-ya map and opening hours

52. Enjoy latte art by a famous barista...

Australia's famous coffee prodigy Paul Bassett's only branch in Tokyo serves the best lattes we've found in Shinjuku. Cakes, including a seriously decadent banana tart, are a draw in themselves. Paul Bassett map and opening hours

53. Eat lamb like the Uyghurs...

A restaurant specialising in Uyghur cuisine is rare, even for Tokyo. The folksy interior and juicy lamb and noodle dishes will make you feel like you're on a trip through Central Asia. Uyghur Restaurant Silkroad Tarim map and opening hours

54. Revel in a city park...

This city park gets a natural makeover each time the season changes and is made all the more special by its contrast with the surrounding skypscapers. Look out for regular events and festivals. Shinjuku Central Park map and opening hours

55. Add sporty to your style...

If you're an Atmos fan you'll love their concept store that's been designed with a street-gym theme, and crosses sports and casualwear, focusing on Nike footwear and apparel. Sports Lab by Atmos map and opening hours

56. Retreat to a retro cafe...

The retro sofas and antique furniture hark back to this café's '70s roots. Far removed from the bustle of Seikoku street, this coffee shop is the perfect place for passing the time with a cuppa and a comic. Cafe Arles map and opening hours

57. Go Victorian in a corset...

Relax on the antique-style sofa and enjoy the ambience of this corset shop while sipping on a cup of tea (or a whisky at night) and choosing from the pretty corsets, tights and accessories. Abilletage map and opening hours

58. Dine on a rowdy rooftop...

You'll feel like a first-time backpacker at this warren of Asian restaurants that enjoys fleeting glimpses of the sky from the roof of an aging Kabukicho tower block and invariably involves a lively night of drinking. Shinjuku Asia Yokocho map and opening hours

59. Have cocktails with culturati...

With a history that goes back to 1951, this popular spot is frequented by prominent culturati. Try the Napolitan spaghetti and, if you can hold your liquor, their signature Donzoko cocktail. Donzoko map and opening hours

60. Taste wine from around Japan...

At this local wine bar and shop you can sample carefully selected wines from all over Japan, then choose from 20 different types of wine by the glass, starting at ¥500 each, and a selection of about 300 bottles. Jip Wine Bar map and opening hours

61. Go clubbing...

The sound system is designed for large spaces, which means the thumping club beats at Oto will compel you to break out your best moves. Oto map and opening hours

62. Fill up on traditional omu-rice...

Mix up local and Western fare at this restaurant that's been serving satisfying dishes like omu-rice (rice omelette), fried prawns and burgers since 1946. Bifteckya Azuma map and opening hours

63. Shop like a man...

Tokyo certainly matches women's fashion with men's and at this department store you'll find eight floors overflowing with clothing, accessories and home furnishings all dedicated to the gentlemen among us. Isetan Men's map and opening hours

64. Treat yourself to luxury takeout...

A great little pitstop, this delicatessen at Shinjuku Park Tower offers a takeout menu with dishes only available at Park Hyatt Tokyo, such as their popular Caesar salad and sandwiches made specially by the hotel's chef. Park Hyatt Tokyo Delicatessen map and opening hours

65. Have an arty meal...

This tiny three-storey restaurant with gallery attached attracts an eclectic mix of customers and serves upstairs customers through a hole in the floor, an operation that becomes increasingly perilous as the night progresses. Albatross map and opening hours

66. Get hot 'n' spicy...

Spice fans will love dishes like the stir-fried lotus root with homemade dried meat and a prominent flavour of mala ('hot and numbing'), as well as the classic dandan noodles served with a merciless amount of Sichuan peppers. Senkoen map and opening hours

67. Enjoy a morning beer surrounded by art...

If you're an early riser, join the many customers who stop by this café and bar for a morning beer. It opens at 7am and its walls serve as an exhibition space. Berg map and opening hours

68. Fall in love with books again...

This warm and welcoming store offers all things book-related, including old and new novels, essay collections, photo books, magazines, bookshelves and a selection of gifts based on the concept 'a life with books'. Bibliophilic & Bookunion Shinjuku map and opening hours

69. Drink some avocado...

The tasteful decor of this fresh juice shop recalls the classic 'parlours' of the Showa era. At ¥900-¥1,500 per juice, it's a little expensive, but worth it – an entire pack of strawberries goes into one strawberry juice (¥930). Maruce map and opening hours

70. Get a taste of Seoul in Tokyo...

Head north of Shinjuku and the streets take on a rather different flavour. Welcome to Shin-Okubo, Japan’s biggest Koreatown, and the go-to place for everything from K-Pop to kimchi. Shin-Okubo Korea-town map

71. Shop endlessly...

Lumine 1 and Lumine 2 feature over 200 shops and restaurants, and thanks to frequent remodels and introduction of new stores, they always offer the newest and most popular brands. Shop till you drop at 10pm. Lumine Shinjuku map and opening hours

72. Remember the joy of film cameras...

At this museum-like used camera store, most products are brought in by customers and if they aren't sold within two months, the price drops. You'll find new and vintage models, as well as 'junk' items sold for parts. Shinjuku Chuko Camera Ichiba map and opening hours

73. Party like it's 1966...

This gay bar and disco has been around since 1966 and still sticks mainly to a soundtrack of soul and disco. Though liveliest on weekends, it's open 365 days a year and the ¥1,000 entrance fee includes one drink. New Sazae map and opening hours

74. Taste the best dumplings...

Oiwakedango has been making delicious dango (rice flour dumplings) since 1945, and will keep you coming back for more with its variety of flavours including soy glaze, seaweed, ginger, mugwort and yuzu. Oiwakedango Honpo map and opening hours

75. Let's get arty...

Specialising in art supplies, this store stocks paints, brushes, frames and more. The brand has 12 outlets but the Shinjuku flagship boasts the best selection – all reasonably priced too. Sekaido map and opening hours