Shinagawa is one of those typical sights of Tokyo. Heaps and heaps of business workers in the morning on the trains all crammed in. And indeed the last train home is full of these same business workers, more often than not they are incredibly drunk, but somehow can still manage the stairs and navigate their way around the station. Good for them. (Read here to find out about walking times between Tokyo stations—an ideal thing to take note of if you want to avoid heaped trains!)
Shinagawa is also a notorious destination among Tokyo’s foreign residents—the jump off point for the bus to the Tokyo Immigration Center/Lock-up.
What to eat and drink in Shinagawa
Shinagawa is big on a range of foodie options. From tourists to mainly business workers in the city, you are sure to find excellent quality here. Shinagawa is famous for its ramen and it is well-recommended in this area of Tokyo. Hit Shinatatsu Ramen Street for a group of branch restaurants that serve this Japanese speciality oh so well. This is located right next to the train tracks of the Shinagawa Station, so is in an ideal location for you hungry travelers.
Within this area, you will find Shinatatsu Donburi which has a mixture of shops which are famous for their donburi (rice bowl dish) meals, such as oyakodon, gyudon and tendon. You won’t be disappointed here.
What to do in Shinagawa
Shinagawa boasts some cool spots throughout the neighborhood. Go to the Hara Museum which is a modern art gallery. It is located in the southwest area of the city, so is ideal for hopping on and off the train. Here you can find a wealth of contemporary art pieces and there is also a cute little gift shop and a fantastic restaurant to dine in after all that art admiration. Hara Museum will cost you 1,100 yen. It’s open 11am-5pm with its last admission 30 minutes before closing. Hara Museum is closed on Mondays too.
The Epson Aqua Park Shinagawa is something not to miss in the area if you have children, or even if you’re a lover of all things aquarium. The highlight of this place is the dolphin performance which incorporates lighting and sound effects that change according to what time of the day it is. The cylindrical water curtain allows viewers to see a 360 degree of this exciting show. There are other features where visitors have the opportunity to play with sea lions, penguins and fur seals. Admission fees are 2,200 yen for an adult and 1,200 yen for a child. If your kiddie is under 4 years old, then admission only costs 700 yen. It is open from 9am-10pm.
If you take the Takanawa Exit at the Shinagawa Station, you’ll see heaps of hotels with the Prince hotel chain being the most popular joint there. The Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex is not just for sleeping in, it is one of those great Japanese shopping malls and a heap of exploring can be done there. There is also a cinema and bowling alley there if you want something to do something more familiar.
Where to stay in Shinagawa
Guest House Shinagawa-shuku is the place to be in Shinagawa for a cheap stay. The location of the guesthouse is simply superb, it is located only 12 minutes from the Keikyu Shinagawa Station and 2 minutes walking distance from Keikyu Kita-Shinagawa Station. Haneda Airport is accessible in 17 minute—score! With a range of rooms available from dormitories to tatami (Japanese traditional style) rooms, you have a good range of options to choose from here. Prices go from 3,300 yen and get cheaper the longer you stay.
