Shinjuku Station is one of the busiest railway hubs in Tokyo. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Japan or an experienced traveler, chances are you’ll pass through this station at least once as you make your way around Tokyo, or even venture out of the city. It’s a bustling station in a lively area, and people flow in and out, gathering in surrounding shopping hotspots like Lumine or the raucous Kabukicho district.

The size of the station means it can be hard to make your way around without relying on the signs pointing in every direction, but if you find yourself squinting at the small lettering, it might be time to buy new glasses in Tokyo. We recommend getting a fresh pair at JINS! After you’ve finished glasses shopping in Shinjuku, you’re already ideally located to take a short trip outside the city, so we’ve got all the details you need to plan a trip to the popular Japanese destination of Hakone.

Get Japanese Glasses in Shinjuku at JINS

JINS is a popular Japanese eyewear brand thanks to its balance of quality and affordability, but travelers visiting Japan might be most excited to hear that they’re quick, too. You can get your glasses made in as little as 30 minutes after payment! While JINS has locations all over Japan, one of the most convenient shops for travelers passing through Tokyo is JINS Lumine Shinjuku, located inside Lumine Shinjuku 1. Right next to Shinjuku Station, the bright white interior is lined with eyewear neatly displayed by collection, making it a comfortable place to browse all the options.

Frames for Every Glasses Wearer

At JINS Lumine Shinjuku you’ll find a wide variety of frames, including classic designs and styles that reflect the latest trends. One particularly popular option is the JINS TODAY collection, which features sleek, stylish frames. These glasses are perfect for those who want to make their glasses a part of their personal style, and stay on-trend with the thin, modern designs.

When the JINS team designs their frames in their Tokyo office, however, beautiful design isn’t the only focus. The brand also works to address the specific needs and concerns of glasses wearers, with multiple collections formulated with functionality and comfort in mind. The JINS HOME line of super-flexible frames is designed for relaxing at home, with a shape that won’t squeeze your face, even when lounging around on a lazy day. JINS Airframe glasses are incredibly lightweight, reducing pressure on the nose to provide a comfortable, barely-there feel. For occasional glasses wearers who only need their specs at certain times, the foldable JINS HALF collection offers the ultimate in convenience and portability, easily fitting into a compact case that can slip into a purse or a pocket for whenever the need arises!

Lenses

JINS Lumine Shinjuku offers an extensive selection of lenses, from standard clear options to progressive lenses, lenses that cut down on blue light, photochromic lenses that transition from clear to dark in bright light, and even stylish tinted “color lenses.”

One standout option at JINS, especially for anyone seeking a kawaii look to bring home from Japan, is their “Cheek Color Lenses.” These lenses are gently tinted towards the bottom to create a subtle blush effect that mimics makeup. The tint is only applied to the lower part of the lens, ensuring your vision remains crystal clear through the upper portion. It’s a fun way to add a little extra color to your look, with different shade choices like Pink, Peach Pink, and Bordeaux, to match your own personal color palette.

If you already own a pair of glasses you like and don’t want new frames, JINS also offers a lens replacement service. Simply bring your current glasses to the store and take the eye test, and the staff will quickly craft new lenses for your existing frames.

Get Your Glasses in Just 3 Simple Steps

① Select Your Frames and Lenses

Start by choosing the perfect pair of glasses for you! If you’re overwhelmed by the variety of frame choices and don’t know what to look for, try the innovative “JINS BRAIN” system. These AI-enabled tablets analyze your face shape to recommend frames and rate which ones suit you best, making it easy to walk away confident that you found the right pair.

② Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam

After picking out your frames and lenses, it’s time to use the screen near the counter to register and get in line for your eye exam. (This is usually a quick process, but on busy days when wait times are longer, you might actually want to do this step first. To use your time efficiently, you can reserve your spot for an eye exam, and then start choosing your new glasses!)

When it’s your turn, a staff member will guide you through the eye exam, starting with a convenient hand-washing sink for anyone wearing contacts. There’s no need to worry about the language barrier, since many of JINS’ staff are capable of communicating in English, especially when it comes to glasses! When the Japankuru team visited the store, we noticed there were already a number of foreign tourists breezing through the glasses-making process in English.

③ Pick Up Your Glasses

As long as the store has your lenses in stock, your new glasses will be ready in as little as 30 minutes after payment! It’s that quick and easy to get a new pair of glasses perfect for exploring Shinjuku, or a trip to Hakone!

JINS Lumine Shinjuku (JINSルミネ新宿店)
Lumine Shinjuku 6F, 1-1-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Directions: 1 min from Shinjuku Station’s South Exit or Keio New Line Exit
Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Official Website (jp)

What to Do While Waiting for Your Glasses

If waiting around for 30 minutes feels like a waste of time, then you’ll like the “JINS 30min Night Walks.” This unique project not only offers quick and easy local sightseeing plans for JINS shoppers looking to make the most of their time in Japan, but also cute illustrated “Night Voucher” lens cloths featuring nearby landmarks (available while supplies last). Show your JINS Lumine Shinjuku Night Voucher at participating stores, and you’ll get a variety of discounts and special offers in the Shinjuku area. Not only can you save big shopping tax-free at JINS, but you can also get discounts at local restaurants! You’ll find a full list of participating shops and restaurants on the official JINS 30min Night Walk page.

(For a limited time, you can also get an additional 5% off by using the Japankuru JINS coupon, valid until August 21, 2025!)

While waiting for your new glasses, let Japankuru take you on a tour of some of the spots illustrated on your new Shinjuku-themed lens cloth! Can you match each location all the little pictures? It’s a fun way to discover the landmarks of this vibrant Tokyo neighborhood, and make the most of your time, so let’s set off on a little Shinjuku adventure.

Omoide Yokocho

Officially known as “Shinjuku Nishiguchi Omoide Yokocho” in reference to its location just west of Shinjuku Station, Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alley that feels stuck in Japan’s Showa era (1926-1989) in the very best way, crowded with nostalgic Japanese izakaya. Find an empty seat and sit down for a cold drink and some grilled skewers as you chat with your friends, the shop staff, and your neighbors too.

Shinjuku Nishiguchi Omoide Yokocho (新宿西口思い出横丁)
1-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Hours: 24/7 (individual establishments may vary)
Directions: 1 min from JR Shinjuku Station’s West Exit

Godzilla

Gracing the top of Toho Cinemas Shinjuku like a glowing crown, this iconic Godzilla has become a local landmark and a symbol of Shinjuku since its construction in 2015. People still visit the area just to see Godzilla peeking up behind the rooftops!

The Shinjuku Godzilla Head (ゴジラヘッド)
1-19 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Directions: 5 min from JR Shinjuku Station’s East Exit

Sanagi Shinjuku

This unusual eatery gives you a chance to enjoy the vibrant flavors of Asian street food with all the conveniences of a sit-down restaurant. The menu includes a selection of options usually found at food stalls and night markets around Japan, China, and other parts of Asia, with salty and sweet bites, and plenty of drinks too. Colorful lanterns decorate the shop’s interior, making it a nice place to relax, get a bite to eat, and take some cool pictures too.

Sanagi Shinjuku (サナギ 新宿)
3-35-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 (last order 22:00)
Directions: 1 min from JR Shinjuku’s Southeast Exit
Official Website (jp)

A Day Trip to Hakone

After spending some time exploring Shinjuku, make one last quick stop at JINS Lumine Shinjuku to pick up your glasses… and then make for Hakone! Hakone is an easy direct trip from Shinjuku Station, and with your new JINS glasses, you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s beautiful scenery and views of Mt. Fuji more clearly than ever.

Take the Odakyu Romancecar (reservations required) from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto Station. In just an hour and 15 minutes, you’ll be in Hakone before you know it!

For this trip, the Japankuru team used the Digital Hakone Free Pass, an electronic ticket you can use from your phone. Starting with a trip from Shinjuku, the pass then gives you the freedom of unlimited rides on a sweeping selection of Hakone trains, buses, and even ships. Since you don’t have to keep buying tickets for each new thing, it’s cost-effective, and it can save you some time too. Just please make sure you have an internet connection on your phone, and plenty of battery for the day!

Digital Hakone Free Pass (デジタル箱根フリーパス)
Price: adults 6,100 yen | children 1,100 yen
Purchase Tickets
*Only one ticket can be used per phone, so make sure you have as many functional phones as people who need tickets.

Shinjuku to Hakone Transportation Options

• Romancecar: Direct Odakyu Line service from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes).
• Rapid Express: Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station, transfer at Hayakawa Station to the Hakone Tozan Railway, and continue to Hakone-Yumoto Station (approx. 2 hours).
• Hakone Express Bus: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes.

Hakone Sightseeing Highlights

Hakone is known for its beautiful natural scenery, and it’s one of the closest travel destinations in the Tokyo area, accessible from the city in under an hour and a half by train. Many tourists visit Hakone for quick day trips or overnight excursions, so we’ve put together a few recommendations for your visit!

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

This museum, also known as the Hakone Glass Forest, features a Western-style garden sumptuously decorated with delicately cut crystal glass that sparkles as it sways in the wind, making it feel like a crystalline forest out of a storybook. (If the sunlight reflecting off the glass is too bright, you’ll definitely want to bring your JINS sunglasses.)

Inside the museum, you’ll find an exhibition of historic Venetian glass all the way from Italy, along with a glass workshop where you can actually try making glass crafts. Of course, you can also purchase Venetian glass souvenirs to take home with you!

Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (箱根ガラスの森美術館)
940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Directions: Take the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Togendai from Hakone-Yumoto Station or Odawara Station, and get off at “Hyoseki, Hakone Garasu-no-mori-mae.”
Hours: 10:00 – 17:30 (final entry 17:00)
Admission: adults 1,800 yen | university/high school students 1,300 yen | middle/elementary schoolers 600 yen
*Hakone Free Pass Discount: 100 yen off admission
Official Website (en)

Hakone Yuryo

If you’re starting to feel a little tired from your long journey, we recommend taking a break to relax at Hakone Yuryo onsen! This old-fashioned onsen, tucked away in the mountains, offers all kinds of open-air and indoor baths to choose from. Even for visitors who are a little too nervous to try the shared baths, there are spa services to enjoy, and traditional cuisine grilled over a sunken hearth. Savor the flavors as you enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of an old Japanese farmhouse!

Plus, Hakone Yuryo is also a part of the JINS Night Voucher campaign, which you can show for a 200-yen discount on bath admission fees!

Hakone Yuryo (箱根湯寮)
4 Tonosawa, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Directions: Free shuttle bus available from Hakone-Yumoto Station, departing every 15 minutes.
Hours:
　Weekdays: 10:00 – 20:00
　Weekends: 10:00 – 21:00
Bath Admission Fees:
　Weekdays: adults 1,700 yen | children 1,000 yen
　Weekends: adults 2,000 yen | children 1,000 yen
*Reservations required.
Night Voucher Discount: Present the Night Voucher lens cloth for 200 yen off admission.
Official Website (en)

Owakudani Valley

Owakudani is one of the region’s most iconic spots, a volcanic valley formed by the dramatic eruption and following collapse of Mount Kamiyama (1,438m) somewhere around 3,000 years ago. Even now, you can see sulfurous blooms of steam rising from the ground.

On the way to Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway, you’ll get a stunning view of the steaming valley below. Be sure to look up too – you might catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, if you’re lucky!

Once you arrive, you’ll definitely want to sample Owakudani’s famous “black eggs” (黒たまご / kuro tamago). Legend tells us that eating one of these special eggs will add seven years to your life! (Who knows if it’s true, but we say go for broke, eat two!) The striking black shell comes from the cooking process – when the eggs are boiled in Owakudani’s sulfurous hot spring water, it leaves a dark mineral patina on the shell! The black shell doesn’t really affect the flavor, but the eggs are lightly salty and perfectly tasty.

Owakudani Valley (大涌谷)
1251-1 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Directions: Take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan Station, transfer to the Hakone Ropeway, and get off at Owakudani Station.
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Lake Ashi

Before you leave Hakone, make sure to visit Lake Ashi for a scenic cruise on the Hakone Pirate Ship Sightseeing Cruise! Feel the fresh breeze as you take in the lake’s stunning scenery from the deck of a surprisingly piratey cruise ship.

From Owakudani Station you can take the ropeway to Togendai Station, and from there a short walk will bring you to the boarding area. (There are three ships with slightly different designs, but the one below is the one the Japankuru team caught a ride on!)

The boat’s fabulous design and the surrounding lakeside scenery makes Hakone’s pirate ship cruises a great opportunity for picture-taking, and there are a few special sights to look out for during the cruise. On clear days, you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of the famous red torii gate of Hakone Shrine with Mount Fuji towering in the background – truly a quintessential Hakone view.

After you’ve snapped enough pictures and gotten yourself back on solid ground, you can take the Express Bus (R Line) from Hakone-machi Port back to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Our Hakone trip ends here, safely back at the train station, and ready to embark on the next adventure!

Shinjuku + Hakone: Add Urban Excitement and Rural Relaxation to Your Trip to Japan!

On this trip, Japankuru partnered with JINS to see Shinjuku and Hakone in a new light. After making our new glasses, we were well-equipped to enjoy the bright nightlife of Shinjuku and the serene natural landscapes of Hakone, adding the best of both city life and Japan’s natural wonders to our itinerary. Plus, with the JINS Night Voucher, we also benefitted from some pretty handy discounts and special offers. So, get your glasses at JINS and add our itinerary to your schedule for a clear view of your trip to Japan!

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