Complete Walking Guide to Shin-Okubo Korea Town | 90 Minutes from Shinjuku Station

Walk north from Shinjuku Station East Exit for 7 minutes, and the atmosphere of Okubo Street transforms entirely. Korean restaurants, cosmetics shops, K-POP merchandise stores, Korean cafes—Shin-Okubo has evolved from a residential enclave of Korean residents in Tokyo to one of the city's trendiest tourist destinations in recent years. On weekends, Okubo Street is even more crowded than Harajuku's Omotesando. This walking guide highlights 6 worthwhile stops. Starting from IGO HOTEL and making a full loop takes about 90 minutes—you can walk briskly, take time to eat leisurely, or shop along the way. The pace is entirely up to you.

90-Minute Walking Route | 6 Stops

Starting from JR Shin-Okubo Station, this route follows Okubo-dori heading west in a loop before returning. The total distance is approximately 2 kilometers. The following 6 spots are arranged in order along the walking route.

01｜JR Shin-Okubo Station Exit｜Walking Tour Starting Point

Exiting the only exit of JR Shin-Okubo Station, you'll find yourself on Okubo-dori. **The station exit is always crowded with long queues on weekends**—mostly people waiting for nearby shops.

If you're taking the JR Yamanote Line, this station is just one stop north of Shinjuku Station. It's about a 5-minute walk from IGO HOTEL.

02｜Okubo-dori｜Korean Town Main Street

Okubo-dori, heading west from the station, is the main artery of Shin-Okubo. **Over 100 Korean restaurants, supermarkets, and cosmetics shops are concentrated within 500 meters on both sides of the street**. Weekend evenings from 18:00-21:00 see peak crowds, while weekday afternoons are relatively more comfortable.

We recommend taking your time to walk slowly and look at the shop signs. Many hidden gems are not located on the main streets—you'll need to turn into the alleyways to discover them.

03｜Korean Food Street｜Fried Chicken, Grilled Meat, Hand-Cut Noodles

The middle section of Okubo-dori (200-400 meters west of Shin-Okubo Station) is the most densely packed restaurant area. **Korean fried chicken, grilled meat, knife-cut noodles, spicy stir-fried rice cakes, seafood hot pots**—nearly every Korean cuisine has a Tokyo branch here.

For guidance on how to choose a brand, please refer to our article on Top 5 Korean Fried Chicken Brands in Shin-Okubo.

04 | Korean Beauty Shop | Led by OLIVE YOUNG

Looking for Korean cosmetics, skincare, and sheet masks? Shin-Okubo is Tokyo's most affordable destination. **OLIVE YOUNG** (directly across from Shin-Okubo Station exit) is a must-visit — one of the overseas locations of Korea's largest beauty retail chain.

The area also features official brand stores such as **Aritaum**, **Innisfree**, and **The Saem**, along with small cosmetics shops carrying multiple brands. Prices are roughly 1.5 to 2 times higher than in Korea itself, but still more affordable than in Taiwan.

05｜KPOP Goods Shop｜Random Surprise

Tucked away in the alleyways of Okubo-dori, you'll find dozens of K-POP merchandise shops selling idol albums, photo books, light sticks, stickers, and random cards. **With a bit of luck, you might discover Japan-exclusive limited edition items** that are hard to find elsewhere.

We recommend bringing cash, as some small shops do not accept credit cards. Prices range from ¥300 (random cards) to ¥10,000+ (limited edition boxes).

06｜Korean Sweets & Coffee｜Perfect Walk Finale

Tired from walking? Along Okubo-dori, you'll find plenty of Korean-style cafes, bakeries, and shaved ice shops. **Popular options: red bean shaved ice (빙수), egg bread (계란빵), chestnut mont blanc**.

There are also popular chains among Korea's younger generation like **Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf** and **Mega Coffee**, with prices around ¥400-600 per cup.

3 Quick Tips Before Your Walk

First, **avoid weekend evening rush hours**. Saturdays and Sundays from 17:00-21:00, Okubo-dori becomes extremely crowded and difficult to navigate. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll on **weekday afternoons or mornings** for a more comfortable experience. Second, **prepare cash ¥5,000-10,000**. While most establishments accept credit cards and PayPay, cash is still king at smaller shops and street vendors. Third, **wear comfortable walking shoes**. While Okubo-dori has covered arcades, there are many level changes, and the alleyways around Shin-Okubo Station have some uphill sections.

Shin-Okubo's walking distance is short, but the density is incredibly high—Korean cuisine, cosmetics, K-POP, and cafes are all packed within 2 kilometers. Take a slow walk and you'll discover countless details that Google Maps doesn't mention. Staying at IGO HOTEL, it's just a 5-minute stroll away, making it one of the closest accommodation options on this street.