Introduction
Hello, this is GOK from the Shinjuku local media site Daily Shinjuku.
Cherry blossom season has arrived again, and when it comes to hanami in Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most popular spots.
If you’re meeting your partner, friends, or family at Shinjuku Gyoen, you might also want ideas for where to stop before and after the garden. In this edition of Shinjuku Up Date, I’m sharing a spring day plan for enjoying hanami around Shinjuku Gyoen—from morning coffee to a picnic-style lunch, shopping, and dinner.
7:00– Meet Up at a Morning Café Before Shinjuku Gyoen Opens
Shinjuku Gyoen opens from 9:00, so meeting at a café beforehand can be a great way to start the day. Here are a few options that open early.
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS (Open from 7:00)
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS is located right near the JR Shinjuku Station New South Exit, making it an easy meeting point. It’s on the 2nd floor of NEWoMan SHINJUKU and opens from 7:00. Food options such as hot sandwiches, carrot cake, and waffles are also available.
Beer & Café BERG (Open from 7:00)
A classic morning café option is Beer & Café BERG, just a few seconds on foot from the JR Shinjuku Station East Exit ticket gates. In addition to coffee, they also serve draft beer and wine—an ideal match for a relaxed weekend morning. Their morning set is known for great value, and the ham included changes day by day.
Parker (Open from 8:00)
Another convenient spot near the Shinjuku Gate side of Shinjuku Gyoen is Parker. At the time of the original article, it was temporarily closed for a renewal reopening, but it had served gelato, coffee, tea, and wine before the closure.
9:00– Enjoy Hanami at Shinjuku Gyoen
Once it’s 9:00, it’s time to enjoy hanami inside Shinjuku Gyoen.
According to the original article, you can see many varieties of cherry blossoms here, including: Shidarezakura, Youkou, Somei Yoshino, Choushuhizakura, Ichiyou, Gyoikou, Fugenzo, Kenrokuenkikuzakura, and Fukurokuju. Bloom timing depends on the weather, and some varieties may remain into late April.
You can take photos up close, admire the scenery from a distance, or spread out a leisure sheet under the trees for a picnic-style break. The covered shop at the Central Rest House, SASAYAIORI+ Shinjuku Gyoen, is also a nice option for a short rest.
12:00– Picnic-Style Lunch Inside Shinjuku Gyoen
Around lunchtime, enjoy a meal while continuing your hanami.
You can bring a homemade lunch, pick up food at a café for takeaway, or grab snacks from a convenience store. Alcohol is not allowed inside Shinjuku Gyoen, but non-alcoholic drinks are OK (as stated in the original article). If you spread a leisure sheet on the soft lawn, it instantly feels like a picnic.
Here are two lunch-friendly options mentioned in the article.
TARO TOKYO ONIGIRI Shinjuku Gyoen
A newly opened onigiri specialty shop (opened March 13, as written in the article), selling eight types of onigiri and three takeaway bento options. The crispy texture of onigiri—wrapped with separately provided nori—pairs especially well with their generously filled tonjiru (pork miso soup), according to the original article.
Starbucks Coffee Shinjuku Gyoen
The Starbucks inside Shinjuku Gyoen is also recommended for lunch. It’s popular enough to have lines, but the location and view are worth experiencing. Enjoying coffee, bread, or sweets while looking out at the cherry blossoms makes for a special moment.
14:00– Shopping After Hanami Near Shinjuku Gyoen
After you’ve enjoyed the blossoms, the area around Shinjuku Gyoen is also great for shopping. Here are a few stops highlighted in the article.
NODERIUM TOKYO (ACTUS 1F) is introduced as a new shop (opened March 2 in the article) where you can buy greenery that works as interior décor, themed around “a place to encounter and discover plants.”
For stationery and daily goods for a new start, Sekaido near the Shinjuku Gate area is recommended, with a wide selection from art supplies and frames to files and pens.
For furniture and interior items, IKEA Shinjuku is another option. The article also notes that Swedish foods are sold on the first floor, including plant-based items and takeaway bento options.
If you want a break after shopping, the article suggests catching a movie at Shinjuku Wald 9 (on the 9th floor of Shinjuku Marui Annex). It also mentions the café CAFE OASE on the 10th floor and notes that it can be relatively less crowded.
18:00– Adult Dinner Around Shinjuku Gyoen
To finish the day, the plan closes with dinner around Shinjuku Gyoen—places with a nice atmosphere and solid food.
cafe La Boheme (Shinjuku Gyoen)
cafe La Boheme is introduced as a restaurant with an outstanding atmosphere. The interior features high ceilings and a luxurious feel—so much so that it could be used like a wedding reception venue. The original article also mentions that they have offered spring seasonal items in the past, such as farm-vegetable bagna cauda, peperoncino with firefly squid and French broad beans with bottarga, and cherry blossom sweets.
HIGHBURY -THE HOME OF BEER-
Another recommendation is the beer pub HIGHBURY -THE HOME OF BEER-, located close to Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station. The article notes you can enjoy craft beer from the well-known UK brewery Thornbridge BREWERY. Since alcohol is not allowed inside Shinjuku Gyoen, it suggests enjoying craft beer here after your time in the garden.
Udon Mandajiro
For a quieter, more relaxed evening drink, the article recommends Udon Mandajiro. With an atmosphere like a traditional ryotei-style setting, it suggests that Fukuoka-style udon and tempura pair perfectly with sake.
Closing
That’s it for this Shinjuku Up Date: a spring day plan for hanami at Shinjuku Gyoen.
The area can feel crowded—especially with many international visitors—but taking breaks at cafés and restaurants around the garden can help you enjoy the day at your own pace. I hope this helps you plan a fun spring holiday in Shinjuku.
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2024/04/03/shinjuku-update-0403/
