101 things to do in Shinjuku

76. Take a sake break...

Find a quiet spot in the basement of the Shinjuku Isetan department store and sample Japanese sake while enjoying dishes from the restaurant Tokyo Kitcho.  Kikizake Counter Isetan Main Building map and opening hours

77. Try some Russian fare...

Never tried borscht or piroshkis? Now's your chance to sample Russian cuisine at this long-established restaurant that serves a variety of dishes. Be sure to end off with some Russian tea and jam. Sungari map and opening hours

78. Make like Scarlett Johannsson...

Despite being Tokyo’s most decorated hotel, the Park Hyatt is perhaps now best known for its role in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. It’s small, intimate and has stunning views over the the city. Park Hyatt Tokyo map

79. View contemporary art...

Get your fill of contemporary art at this gallery exhibiting photographs, installations, video art and the like, then stop by the nearby calming Hanazono Shrine on your way home. Shinjuku Ganka Garou map and opening hours

80. Let the Showa go on...

For a little underground Showa-era atmosphere, step into this jazz bar, which has over 1,000 ‘beckoning cat’ statues to admire while you munch on pizza or Showa dry curry. JazzBar Samurai map and opening hours

81. Taste traditional tofu...

Veteran inarizushi shop Kanda Shinoda Sushi is based in Kanda-Awajicho, but now you can enjoy its unique old-fashioned inari in Shinjuku too. The crisp marinated lotus root enhances the salty-sweet fried tofu. Kanda Shinoba Sushi Isetan Main Building map and opening hours

82. Experiment with bold flavours...

The speciality at this Nagi restaurant is pungent niboshi ramen, made by boiling dried sardines. For something different, the tsukemen (¥800) and shio (salt) ramen (¥800) offer alternative ways of enjoying this potent niboshi. Nagi Niboshi Ou map and opening hours

83. Find all you need in one place...

This variety store is so big you could spend a day browsing its seven floors of bags, travel accessories, cycling gear, health and beauty products, DIY tools and materials, and much much more. Tokyu Hands map and opening hours

84. Line up for French toast...

The signature French toast at this underground café is so popular that customers line up for it even on weekdays. The crustless bread is sliced thick and toasted in butter until golden and simply irresistible. Cafe Aaliya map and opening hours

85. Warm up your tastebuds...

Try the specialities of Sichuan-style shabu-shabu and hot pot dishes, for ¥1,500 per plate, or warm yourself up with the hot and spicy Mala soup. Malatan map and opening hours

86. Have a hearty budget-friendly meal...

The Tokyo Government Office employee cafeterias serve food so good (and cheap) that they’ve opened them up to the public. Enjoy ramen with a view on the 32nd floor of Building No. 1. Tokyo Government Employee Cafeteria map and opening hours

87. Chew on Horumon...

Kuunomu’s speciality Horumon-yaki (beef/pork offal) is a juicy, chewy dish usually served with tare dipping sauce, but be sure to try it just with salt too. Kuunomu map and opening hours

88. Put your beret on...

With a glass of red from ¥390 and meals from ¥200, this is a top spot for authentic, reasonably priced French cuisine. Wear flats as it has standing room only. Provencale map and opening hours

89. Raise your hands in the air...

Hailing all partygoers, this gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome regularly hosts fabulous parties and other events, with plenty of surprise celebrity performances thrown in. Aisotope Lounge map and opening hours

90. Catch some cinema nouveau...

With a penchant for arthouse films, Cinema Qualite includes two snug auditoriums that are equipped to screen both digital and 35mm films, with punch Dolby DR-S sound compensating for the small space. Cinema Qualite map and opening hours

91. Spin some vinyl...

If you've been thinking of joining the vinyl comeback brigade, look no further than Disk Union, which stocks floors and floors of second-hand CDs and records, among a plethora of other items too. Disk Union map and opening hours

92. Step back in time...

For a retro night out, visit this bar full of popular records and books from the ’80s and ’90s, and feel free to request your favourite oldie. Bar Plastic Model map and opening hours

93. Gather the girls...

A state-of-the-art sound system and artistic visuals create a stimulating atmosphere at this fresh (lesbian-friendly) location where you can get DJ lessons from the owner and cheap drinks thanks to the ticket vending system. Bar A-Un map and opening hours

94. Sip on onion tea...

It’s onions galore at this restaurant that uses the ingredient in everything from sauces and dressings to the Sasurai-ya Specialty Onion Tea that’s made by boiling dried onion skins. Tamanegihonpo Sasuraiya map and opening hours

95. Tuck into real gelato...

At this Italian gelato shop’s first Japanese store you get the real deal with no artificial dyes or additives and only carefully selected fruits grown in Italy. Grom Shinjuku map and opening hours

96. Lunch with tots...

Update: Caro for Baby is currently closed. Specially designed for moms-on-the-go, this café is a relaxing lunch spot where you can nurse your baby, change diapers and bring along your own baby food. Caro for Baby map and opening hours

97. Interact with a performer...

Loft/Plus One holds a variety of events including improv, discussions, video airings, slideshows, concerts and performing arts. If you're in the audience, prepare to participate! Loft/Plus One map and opening hours

98. Remember Mr Marley...

At this cool club Bob Marley and co are still top of the pops, with roots reggae and dub tunes as well as live performances taking you back to the good ol' days. Open map and opening hours

99. Go back in time with tempura...

Who says good tempura has to be expensive? Surviving amid the gleaming modern buildings of Shinjuku, Tsunahachi’s battered wooden premises are a throwback to the early post-war era – as are the prices. Tsunahachi map and opening hours

100. Share Italian appetisers...

One of the best-kept secrets of Shinjuku, this Italian restaurant stays open till 4am and prices are so reasonable you could eat and drink to your stomach's content for around ¥4,000. Prego Prego map and opening hours

101. Shop at a 'fashion museum'...

Just this year, this long-standing clothing, food and homeware store was remodelled as a 'fashion museum'. Don't worry, you can still touch, and buy – and you won't be able to resist, such is the unprecedented array of items. Isetan map and opening hours