Shin-Okubo Korea Town: vibrant, energetic, spicy!
- japansophy
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
Step into another world without leaving Tokyo. Shin-Okubo Korea Town is a whirlwind of K-pop, sizzling street food, and mega-trendy beauty products that will transport you straight to Seoul.
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This lively neighbourhood is a mecca for fans of Korean pop culture, offering a sensory explosion of music, fashion, and delicious aromas. Also known as Tokyo's Little Seoul, it's a street-food paradise, where you can find everything from bubble tea and Korean fried chicken to corn dogs and Korean barbecue, and an absolute can't-miss destination for fans of social-media-famous Korean beauty brands. The streets are always packed with young people, creating an infectious, energetic vibe that's impossible to resist.
Shin-Okubo's transformation into a Korean hub is a fascinating story, starting with Korean students moving into the area in the 1980s and driven by the increasing popularity of Korean culture—or Hallyu—in Japan since the early 2000s. It’s a vibrant, living tribute to the cultural connection between the two nations, and you'll hear the latest K-pop hits blasting from storefronts as you walk. Unlike traditional Japanese shopping districts, this area is all about high-energy, fast-paced fun and a very Korean cool. For a truly unique and delicious experience that’s a world away from traditional Japan, Shin-Okubo is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a devoted K-Pop fan or need to satisfy your kimchi cravings, this district whisks you off into a world you won't find anywhere else in Tokyo.
Getting there – where is Shin-Okubo Korea Town?
Nearest station: The closest station is Shin-Okubo on the JR Yamanote line. From the station exit, walk right through the train-line underpass. The closest Metro station is Higashi-Shinjuku on the Fukutoshin and Oedo lines (about 10 mins' walk to the heart of the Korean action.
By taxi: A taxi can drop you off on one of the main streets, for example in front of Shin-Okubo Station.
Accessibility: While mostly flat, the area is pretty crowded, which could pose mobility issues.
Opening hours & best time to visit
Opening hours: Shops and restaurants generally don't open before 10 am but stay open until late in the evening.
Best time to visit: For some (relatively) peaceful retail therapy, you're best bet is to hit the shops in the morning. For that fun, authentic Korea town vibe, visit in the late afternoon.
Time to avoid: Korea town is super packed at weekends and in the evenings. If the shoulder-to-shoulder energy isn't your cup of cha, it's best to pick another time for your visit.
Reservations & admission
Reservations: You won't have to book any thing to wander around and soak in the atmosphere, but you'll find it hard to get into some of the more popular restaurants without a reservation, especially at the weekends.
Ticket/admission price: Walking around won't cost you a yen!
What can you see & do in Shin-Okubo Korea Town?
Street food for days: One of the big draws is the fantastic Korean street food that you'll see everywhere you turn. The main street is lined with vendors selling everything from hotteok (sweet pancakes) and cheese hotdogs to noodles and "granny's kimchi".
Stock up on those viral K-beauty products: The main drag has one beauty product shop after the other. Try Skin Garden for Korean skincare, facemasks and cosmetics that are hard to find outside Korea.
Discover K-pop merch: Dive into the world of K-pop with shops selling everything related to your favourite bands, from posters and CDs to unofficial merchandise.
Japansophy’s top tips!
Bring cash: Some of the smaller shops and stalls, especially for street food, don't take card, so have some yen with you just in case.
Practice with Google translate: Even if you are semi-familiar with Japanese, Shin-Okubo throws you into a whole new world of Hangul. Many of the shop signs, menus and even product labels are in Korean, so familiarise yourself with the translation function on Google lens to magically turn the Korean into your own language.
Shop with a plan: Are you shopping for something in particular? Desperately seeking merch from your favourite (but lesser known) K-pop band? Can't go home without that K-beauty lip balm that's blowing up on social media? Do your research before you go, make screenshots, ask for shopping recommendations if possible. Korea Town can get unbelievably crowded, so while browsing is fun, randomly looking for that one thing you came here for can quickly turn into a bit of a bust.
Photo op: The underpass to the right of the exit/entrance of Shin-Okubo station is covered in bright, cartoony murals. It can of course get very busy here and the lighting isn't great, but it can make for some pretty cute photos.
Facilities
Eating & drinking: Eating and drinking is practically the main reason for coming here. Many of the dishes are unlike anything you'll see in the rest of Tokyo so pull on your adventurous hat!
Toilets: Toilets are available in Shin-Okubo Station and in some of the larger restaurants (for customers).
Baby-changing facilities: There are baby-changing facilities inside the two nearest train stations.
Other attractions nearby
Kabukicho: Shinjuku's (adult) entertainment district is within walking distance of Korea Town (10-15 mins).
Godzilla head: Pay your respects to Japan's most famous, not to mention terrifying, kaiju in Shinjuku.
3D cat billboard: Or leave the reptiles behind and go cute & cuddly with the 3d cat billboard at Shinjuku Station.
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