It takes about 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station to Shin-Okubo Station.

"Can I walk from Shinjuku Station to Shin-Okubo Station?" This is a question many first-time Tokyo visitors staying in Shin-Okubo often ask. The answer is yes—and it's not far. The actual walking time depends on which exit you start from, which route you take, and whether you're willing to take a slight detour to enjoy the street views. Below we've compiled the walking times and suitable scenarios for the 3 most commonly used routes.

Conclusion | 12-15 minutes

From the most convenient exits of JR Shinjuku Station (East or Northeast Exit) to JR Shin-Okubo Station takes **12-15 minutes for most people**. If you walk briskly without stopping, it's possible in 10 minutes. If you're pushing luggage or browsing shops along the way, allow 18-20 minutes. Okubo-dori is a main thoroughfare between two stations, and as you walk along it, you'll find yourself at the beginning of Shin-Okubo's Korean district—the walk itself is a sightseeing experience.

3 Major Routes

All three routes cover roughly the same distance, so your choice depends on your starting point and which streetscapes you'd like to explore.

01｜From East Exit｜Most Direct via Okubo-dori

Exit Shinjuku Station from the East Exit and head north along Meiji-dori until you reach the intersection with Okubo-dori (approximately 5 minutes). Turn left and continue west along Okubo-dori until you reach JR Shin-Okubo Station (approximately 7-8 minutes). The entire route takes 12-13 minutes with flat terrain and minimal traffic lights, making it the most popular path. Korean restaurants and cosmetics shops line the entrance to Okubo-dori, so you can enjoy shopping as you stroll.

02｜From Northeast Exit｜Along the Edge of Kabukicho

Exit from the northeast exit of Shinjuku Station (toward Kabukicho), cut diagonally through the small alley past Hanazono Shrine, and you'll reach Okubo-dori. The distance is roughly the same as from the east exit, but the atmosphere is distinctly different. It takes 13-15 minutes on foot during the day. At night, we don't recommend walking through the Kabukicho area alone. Taking the longer route via the East Exit is safer and more reassuring.

03｜Shortest Route from Seibu-Shinjuku Station

If you take the Seibu Shinjuku Line (Seibu-Shinjuku Station) instead of JR Shinjuku Station, head north from the north exit of Seibu-Shinjuku Station and you'll reach Shin-Okubo Station in under 10 minutes. This is the shortest of the three lines, but there's still a 5-7 minute walk between Seibu-Shinjuku Station and JR Shinjuku Station, so the total travel time for "JR Shinjuku Station → Seibu → Shin-Okubo" doesn't actually save time.

2 Things to Know Before You Walk

First, on rainy days, there are some covered arcade sections along Okubo-dori, but they are not continuous, so we recommend bringing a compact umbrella. On rainy days, it's more convenient to take the JR train directly to the next station (¥150) rather than walking. Second, IGO HOTEL is just an 8-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station and a 5-minute walk from JR Shin-Okubo Station—perfectly positioned between both stations for convenient access wherever you need to go. The distance between Shinjuku Station and Shin-Okubo Station is that awkward sweet spot—not quite close, not quite far. If you're just popping over for a meal, it's a pleasant walk. But if you're carrying luggage or pressed for time, a single JR train ride makes far more sense.