Shinjuku Southern Terrace
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Shinjuku Station · 1 min walk (JR Yamanote Line, Odakyu Odawara Line, Keio Line)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- Best time to go
- Mid-November to mid-February in the evening for the annual winter illumination co-hosted with Takashimaya Times Square and JR East
About
Shinjuku Southern Terrace is a breezy, pedestrian-only promenade lined with stylish cafes, global flagship stores, and dessert spots. Escaping the frantic energy of Shinjuku Station, this open-air strip offers a relaxed outdoor stroll right in the heart of the city. While it is a great spot for a casual lunch or coffee year-round, it truly shines in the winter when the entire terrace is illuminated by thousands of twinkling, seasonal fairy lights.
What Japanese guides note
Japanese guides emphasize using this open-air promenade as a direct pedestrian bypass between Shinjuku Station's south exits and Yoyogi Station's North Exit, avoiding congested subterranean corridors. An elevated footbridge crosses above the JR tracks to connect directly with Takashimaya Times Square. While visitors often assume the promenade is in Shinjuku Ward, it is situated entirely inside Shibuya Ward.
Details from local sources
- The entire 350-meter pedestrian promenade was built as an artificial deck directly above the Odakyu Line railway tracks, opening on March 20, 1998. [source]
- Despite carrying the Shinjuku name, the entire commercial strip is administratively located in Yoyogi 2-chome within Shibuya Ward. [source]
- JR East established a dedicated Southern Terrace Exit from its platforms in 2006, which was renamed the Koshu-kaido Exit in 2016. [source]
- TBS Television maintains a remote weather camera here, with contracts requiring non-news broadcasts to display the Shinjuku Southern Terrace name on screen. [source]
- An elevated bridge crosses directly over the railway tracks to link the promenade with Takashimaya Times Square. [source]
- A glasses-free 3D CG outdoor screen called Shinjuku Southern Terrace Vision was mounted on the rooftop structure along Koshu-kaido in April 2024. [source]
Insider Tip
Grab a window seat at the Starbucks or Francfranc Cafe for a fantastic, elevated view of the passing trains below.
Frequently asked
Which station exit provides the fastest access to the promenade?
The Koshu-kaido Exit (formerly Southern Terrace Exit) and South Exit of JR Shinjuku Station lead directly to the promenade within one minute. Toei Oedo Line passengers can use Exit A1, while those coming from the Odakyu and Keio lines can cross via the pedestrian overpass above Koshu-kaido.
Can visitors walk directly from the terrace to Takashimaya Times Square?
Yes, an elevated pedestrian bridge crosses over the JR railway tracks to connect Shinjuku Southern Terrace with Takashimaya Times Square. This overpass lets pedestrians move between both commercial complexes without descending to street level or waiting at the congested traffic intersections along Koshu-kaido.
Can Shinjuku Southern Terrace be used as a walking route to Yoyogi?
Yes, the 350-meter promenade extends south from Koshu-kaido toward the northern entrance of Yoyogi Station. Commuters and pedestrians frequently use this open-air path as an alternative to crowded train transfers or enclosed underground passages, reaching Yoyogi Station in roughly five minutes on foot.
Is on-site vehicle parking available at Shinjuku Southern Terrace?
The adjacent Odakyu Southern Tower features a 24-hour underground parking garage with 324 stalls costing 400 yen per 30 minutes. Customers spending at least 3,000 yen at participating terrace shops receive up to two hours of free parking, though select tenants such as Tim Ho Wan are excluded.
How was Shinjuku Southern Terrace constructed?
Opened on March 20, 1998, the promenade was engineered as a 350-meter artificial concrete deck over the active Odakyu railway tracks. It was developed jointly by the Odakyu Group and JR East as the southern anchor of the broader Shinjuku Terrace City urban renewal corridor.
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