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3 of Shinjuku’s Craziest Restaurants: Shinjuku Dinner Destinations You’ll Never Forget

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From fishing rods to noodle challenges, and even a samurai spectacular, Shinjuku is a hub for some of Japan’s wildest dining and entertainment options. Whether you’re looking for a meal the whole family will remember with glee, or you and your friends just want to bring home unbelievable stories from your trip to Japan, make the most of your time in Tokyo with these three crazy Shinjuku spots, perfect for a day of food and fun!

① Catch Your Dinner at Fishing Restaurant Zauo

Dive into a truly one-of-a-kind experience at Zauo, a popular “fishing izakaya” with branches in Shinjuku and Shibuya! Both locals and tourists flock to this lively spot, known for its appearances in Japanese dramas, its kid-friendly charm perfect for families, and its unique appeal as an unexpected date-night favorite.

Zauo’s interior is designed to feel like a bustling fish market, complete with massive tanks where you can fish for your meal! (Yes, actually.) Catch a variety of seafood, including flounder, mackerel, snapper, shrimp, and abalone. Once you reel your catch out of the water there’s a menu of different preparations, so your fresh-caught seafood dinner can be sliced into sashimi or sushi, or even cooked up into tempura.

It’s a pretty funny place to buy some souvenirs, too.

⇨ Check out more from our trip to Zauo’s Shibuya location!

Fishing Restaurant Zauo (釣船茶屋ざうお)
3-2-9 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Hours: weekdays 11:30 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 22:30 | weekends 11:30 – 14:30 / 16:00 – 22:30
Official Website (en)

② Try the Soba Challenge at Kuru Kuru Wanko

Image Source: Kuru Kuru Wanko

This satisfying dining experience is inspired by the famous “wanko soba” noodles of Morioka, a local specialty in Iwate Prefecture consisting of small bowls of soba, which are served one after another until all are full and satisfied. The simple buckwheat noodles are a savory taste of Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region, but if you try them at Kuru Kuru in Shinjuku, they arrive on a conveyor belt and come with a challenge: how many bowls you can eat within the time limit!?

Many people try for 100 bowls in 40 minutes, but whatever number you make it to, you can take a silly commemorative photo before you leave.

Kuru Kuru Wanko (回転わんこそば くるくるわんこ)
1-22-99 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 18:30
Official X (Twitter)

③ Immerse Yourself in Japan’s Heritage (with a Twist) at the Samurai Restaurant

Enter a world where Japanese tradition comes alive with dance, sword-fighting, and theatrical performances at the always over-the-top Samurai Restaurant! Tickets come with a variety of tasty food options, including bento boxes and udon noodles, plus plenty of snacks and drinks, but the real reason for visiting the Samurai Restaurant is, 100%, the wild show that comes with the meal.

The 100-minute spectacle is full of music and dance, all boosted by a somewhat surreal reimagining of Japanese history and traditions. But there are plenty of short breaks too, letting you relax and enjoy the meal in between the breathtaking (and slightly deafening) acts. Be sure to use our Samurai Restaurant coupon for a special discount or free drinks when you go!

⇨ Check out our first trip to the Samurai Restaurant during its opening in autumn 2023!

⇨ See how the restaurant has evolved during our most recent trip in summer 2024!

⇨ And don’t forget to use our Samurai Restaurant coupon for the best deal!

Samurai Restaurant Time at Gira Gira Girls (サムライレストランタイム＠ギラギラガールズ)
*The Samurai Restaurant show itself is family-friendly, but the current venue location only allows guests aged 20 and over.
1-7-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:50~ / 14:00~ / 16:30~
Official Website (en) | Instagram | X (Twitter)

No matter what your idea of a crazy meal in Tokyo might be, we think these three Shinjuku restaurants will leave you with plenty of fond memories of your time in Japan, and some crazy stories to tell your friends back home!

Nahyeong

Nahyeong

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