Shinanomachi, Residential district in Shinjuku, Japan
Shinanomachi is a residential district in Shinjuku with apartment buildings, schools, and a large hospital. The area supports several thousand residents through a variety of local facilities that serve everyday community needs.
The district formed as Shinjuku developed into a major urban center during the second half of the 20th century. It retained a single unified structure rather than adopting the traditional chōme subdivision system that most Tokyo neighborhoods use.
The name reflects the district's geographical and historical connections to the wider area. Today, residents and visitors experience it as a quieter residential part of Shinjuku where daily life unfolds at a measured pace.
The district is well connected by public transit with access to stations that link to other parts of Shinjuku and surrounding areas. The flat terrain and organized street layout make it easy to navigate and explore on foot.
The district maintains an unusual administrative structure without the standard chōme subdivision system that nearly every other Tokyo neighborhood follows. This distinctive arrangement makes it an example of alternative neighborhood organization in a major metropolitan area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
