Last Updated on May 24, 2026
In mid-May, just before the rainy season, I spent half a day exploring Shinjuku Central Park and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Shinjuku Central Park has fresh greenery, a cozy restaurant, the historic Juniso Kumano Shrine, and a charming flower garden. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building stands nearby. You can enjoy panoramic city views from its free observation deck.
In this article, I’ll share a relaxing half-day walking route. It combines a peaceful lunch in the park with views from one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks.
What to Expect in This Article:
- How to access Shinjuku Central Park from nearby stations
- A relaxing lunch experience at Musashino Mori Diner
- Walking through the park, including greenery and seasonal flowers
- A visit to Juniso Kumano Shrine in a quiet urban setting
- Free observation deck views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Shinjuku Central Park
Shinjuku Central Park (Shinjuku Chuo Park) has a circumference of about 0.6 miles (1 km). Although it is much smaller than Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, it still has beautiful green spaces and a jogging course.
As I stepped in front of the park, beautiful fresh greenery and bright sunshine welcomed me. The cool, refreshing shade of the trees felt absolutely amazing.
How to Get to Shinjuku Central Park
The park is close to Exits A4 and A5 of Tochomae Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
I personally used Exit A5, but it has some stairs. Also, the park is actually located on slightly higher ground, so I had to climb even more stairs from the street level. It wasn’t very clear on the map, and I ended up walking up a lot of stairs just to get to the entrance.
Accessing the Park Without Stairs:
If you want to avoid stairs, I highly recommend Exit A4. This exit leads you directly inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. From there, use the escalator inside the building to reach the second floor. An elevator is also available if you need it. From the second-floor exit, the bridge to the park is right in front of you.
Lunch at Musashino Mori Diner
Musashino Mori Diner in Shinjuku Central Park is one of the most relaxing lunch spots in Tokyo. With large windows facing the greenery, terrace seating, and specialty coffee, it is a perfect place to take a break from the busy city.
I arrived around 11:10 a.m. Since I was already hungry, I headed straight to the restaurant first.
Right after entering the park, I found a complex facility called SHUKNOVA. It features Musashino Mori Diner and Starbucks. The place was already crowded with many people.
I entered Musashino Mori Diner and checked in on the reception tablet.
There were already several groups waiting, so I decided to explore the second floor and step outside for a while.
How to Check Your Waiting Number
The machine prints out a receipt with a QR code. You can scan this code with your smartphone, which allows you to check your waiting number from anywhere.
On the second floor, there was a nice terrace. It had free deckchairs for anyone to use. From there, you could enjoy a full view of the green park.
Free Outdoor Terrace Seating:
Musashino Mori Diner and Starbucks are on the first floor. There is an outdoor terrace with chairs in front of them. This terrace, called the “Engawa Terrace,” does not belong to the shops, so anyone can use the seats freely.
When I checked the QR code after a while, only three groups were ahead of me. So, I went back to the entrance.
A Window Seat Overlooking the Park
I took a number at 11:15 a.m. Although the reception screen estimated a 40-minute wait, I was called after only about 20 minutes. This was likely because the breakfast rush had just ended, and the line moved faster once only a few groups were left ahead.
I was guided to a single-person counter seat by the window. From the window, I could see beautiful green trees. I also watched many nursery school children playing happily in the park.
I placed my order using a tablet. After a little while, my coffee ¥495 (approx. $3.1 / €2.7) was served first.
Musashino Mori Diner is a popular Japanese diner chain known for its spacious interiors and coffee prepared using their unique brewing method. They also serve specialty coffee, brewing each cup by hand with freshly ground beans. I would love to try it next time.
The interior feels like a cozy highland resort. Even if you don’t sit by the window, you can enjoy the spacious, open, and lovely atmosphere thanks to the large windows.
Eating while looking out over the park felt incredibly relaxing, and it was fun to imagine where to explore next.
The avocado and shrimp lemon pasta came with a salad and a small soup, priced at 1,408 yen (approx. $8.8 / €7.6). For dessert, there was also cassis ice cream for 440 yen (approx. $2.8 / €2.4).
Surrounded by the beautiful greenery of the park, the entire lunch felt calm and refreshing.
Useful Tips for Visiting Musashino Mori Diner
- Best time for lunch: Around 11:00 a.m.
- My wait time was about 20 minutes
- Good for solo visitors
- Located inside Shinjuku Central Park
- Mobile waiting system with QR code
- Terrace seating is open to everyone
Strolling Through the Park
After a relaxing lunch, I went for a walk and headed into the park.
Large trees created cool, shaded areas throughout the park, where people were enjoying their break. Some office workers were eating takeout lunches, while others lay on the grass reading books.
Looking back through the trees, I could see the twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building rising high above the greenery.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building hosts a projection mapping show at night. It holds a Guinness World Records™ title. It is the “Largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent).” This will be a great treat for night visitors.
Juniso Kumano Shrine
I walked along the shady path around the park. Then, a shrine came into view.
This historic shrine has guarded Shinjuku for about 600 years. It is a quiet spiritual spot surrounded by skyscrapers.
I purified my hands at the water pavilion. Then, I offered a prayer. It was a weekday, so it was very quiet. First-time visitors can relax and take their time.
Please check my Atami article for the purification steps. It explains how to wash your hands.
The shrine looked beautiful, surrounded by the blue sky and fresh greenery. The crisp, refreshing air made me feel completely renewed. This peaceful place warmly welcomed everyone, from dog walkers to local workers.
Hana no Mori Flower Garden
I left the shrine and kept walking. I headed toward the flower garden area.
There were about three types of roses planted in the area. It was mid-May, and the rose area was still in full bloom. However, with the unusually warm weather this year, it seemed that the peak season had already slightly passed. Even so, this cherry blossom-like rose was unexpectedly beautiful and ended up becoming my favorite.
In addition, about 50 other types of seasonal flowers were planted there.
The beautiful scenery made me completely forget that I was in Shinjuku. I heard that “Hana no Mori” just opened in March 2026. I was deeply satisfied with this wonderful park full of great highlights. Visitors can enjoy delicious food, fresh greenery, a historic shrine, and beautiful flowers.
After leaving the flower garden, I saw the Cocoon Tower through the trees.
It was chosen as one of the 50 most influential tall buildings. A fashion vocational school runs this unique, cocoon-shaped building. Students also study IT and medical care in this grand facility.
Crossing this bridge leads you directly to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. To be honest, I initially planned to go home after just enjoying the greenery. However, I became curious about the inside and decided to check it out.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
From the bridge, the building looked enormous. It was so massive that I could not fit it into a single photo. As I stepped inside, I spotted a sign for the observation deck and the elevators.
A security guard explained that the observation deck was free to enter. After a quick baggage check, I lined up for the direct elevator to the North Observation Deck.
To the North Observation Floor
The observation deck was located on the 45th floor.
From the observation deck, I could see the Cocoon Tower and Tokyo Skytree in the distance. Even the cars on the streets below were clearly visible, almost like a miniature diorama. On clear days, Mount Fuji is also visible from the other side.
While walking around the observation deck, I discovered this lovely poster.
Many of the travel tips shown on the poster are common manners that apply in many countries. However, it is wonderful that famous Japanese characters explain them so clearly. Their simple explanations make the rules very easy to understand.
CAFE&SHOP SOCOCOCO
There was also a cozy cafe and souvenir shop that had recently opened in January 2025.
The Souvenir Shop and Cafe:
The building has separate North and South observation decks. During this visit, I visited the North Observatory, where I found CAFE & SHOP SOCOCOCO. The South Observatory features GIFT SHOP TOKYO Mikke!.
The souvenir shop offered many high-quality and beautifully designed items. Even as a Japanese local, I found so many things I wanted. Prices ranged from affordable to high-end. You can enjoy shopping while looking at truly valuable items.
The cafe offered various options like lunches and light snacks. They also served unique desserts and a selection of sake and other Japanese alcoholic drinks. Since I had already eaten earlier, I did not stop by, but it seemed like a great place to take a relaxing break while sightseeing.
The North and South Observation Decks are not connected to each other. Therefore, on my next visit, I would love to try some desserts at GIFT SHOP TOKYO Mikke! in the South Observation Deck.
Souvenirs from the Observation Deck
As a souvenir, I bought a Japanese-made drawstring bag and a handkerchief.
They cost around ¥500 (approx. $3.1 / €2.7). The fabric feels light and dries quickly, which will be especially nice during Tokyo’s hot summer season.
Conclusion
Spending half a day in Shinjuku Central Park and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was a refreshing escape from the busy city. From enjoying a relaxing lunch with a park view to exploring quiet walking paths, a historic shrine, and a free observation deck, each stop offered a different side of Tokyo.
If you are looking for a peaceful break while sightseeing in Tokyo, this area is definitely worth visiting. I would love to return again in a different season to see how the scenery changes.
Recommended For
• Travelers looking for a relaxing half-day escape in central Tokyo
• Food lovers who enjoy café-style lunches with peaceful park views
• Visitors interested in greenery, shrines, and local culture
• Solo travelers who want a calm place to explore at their own pace
• First-time visitors to Tokyo looking for an easy walking route
See more shrine articles below:
Day Trip to Atami from Tokyo: Summer Itinerary, Food & Things to Do
See more Tokyo spring dining experiences below:
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Tokyo in Late April: Matcha & Fresh Greenery
Information
Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.
Shinjuku Central Park
Access:
– Just a few steps from Tochomae Station Exit A5
Musashino Mori Diner
Opening Hours:
7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Access:
– Inside SHUKNOVA in Shinjuku Central Park
– About 520 ft (160 m) from Tochomae Station
– Official English website
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Directly connected to Tochomae Station
North Observation Deck
Opening Hours:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed: The 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. (If it is a national holiday, the following weekday will be closed.)
- Special Note:When the South Observation Deck is closed, the North Observation Deck stays open until 21:30.
The official website is available in multiple languages.
– Official website
CAFE＆SHOP SOCOCOCO
– Inside the North Observation Deck
– Official website (Japanese Only)
Please use your browser’s translation function to read the website.
