Shin-Okubo station, gateway to Tokyo's Korean Quarter

Published on : 06/03/2024
by : J.R.

Nestled in the heart of the lively Shinjuku district, Shin-Okubo station is a must for visitors wishing to discover the unique atmosphere of the Japanese capital's Korean quarter. Located on the busy Yamanote Circle Line, this small station, inaugurated in 1914, is today the ideal starting point for immersing yourself in the lively alleyways of Tokyo's "Little Korea", between spicy restaurants, K-pop boutiques and beauty salons.

Features and location of Shin-Okubo station

With its 45,000 daily passengers, Shin-Okubo station is a small station on the JR East network. It is located between Shinjuku station to the west and Takadanobaba station to the east, at kilometre 11.9 of the Yamanote line that circles the city.

Shin-Okubo has just two central platforms flanking the line's two tracks. Platform 1 serves trains to Ikebukuro and Ueno, while platform 2 connects to Shinjuku and Shibuya. The passenger building to the north of the tracks houses the ticket offices and the station's only exit, directly onto Shin-Okubo Street.

Shin-Okubo station is one of the few stations on the Yamanote line to offer no connections. To join the Chuo and Chuo-Sobu lines, you'll need to walk about 300 meters west to reach Okubo station. On foot, the famous Kabukicho red light district is less than 1 km to the southwest.

History and development of the station and district

Opened on November 15, 1914, Shin-Okubo station served what was then a quiet residential area in Tokyo's western suburbs. Like the rest of the area around Shinjuku, the area underwent rapid population growth and urbanization after the Second World War and the reconstruction of the capital.

From the 1980s onwards, immigrants from South Korea began to settle in the streets around the station, opening restaurants and shops. Tokyo's Korean quarter, nicknamed Korea Town, was born. Its development accelerated in the 2000s with the rise of "Hallyu", the Korean cultural wave driven by K-pop and dramas.

Shin-Okubo station and the shopping street it leads to became a must for young Japanese with a passion for Korean culture. New businesses opened up in a district that now rivals Harajuku in terms of visitor numbers. Shin-Okubo has helped to make multicultural neighborhoods commonplace in the Japanese capital.

Access, platforms and connections at Shin-Okubo station

Shin-Okubo station can be reached by JR East's Yamanote line:

From Shinjuku station: 2 minutes, 140 yen
From Harajuku station: 6 minutes, 160 yen
From Shibuya station: 9 minutes, 170 yen
From Ikebukuro station: 5 minutes, 160 yen
From Ueno station: 17 minutes, 200 yen

Its only exit leads directly onto Shin-Okubo Street, the backbone of Tokyo's Korean Quarter. Just turn right after the turnstiles and pass under the railway bridge to immerse yourself in the smells of barbecue and the rhythms of K-pop.

To reach the Chuo and Chuo-Sobu lines, walk 5 minutes west along Okubo Street to Okubo Station. The lively Kabukicho district is less than 15 minutes' walk to the southwest.

Discover Korea Town, the lively Korean district of Shin-Okubo

Shin-Okubo is the beating heart of Tokyo's Korean community. Nicknamed Korea Town, this microcosm concentrates all the cultural and culinary attractions of the Korean peninsula in just a few streets. Here, hangul signs, K-pop music and spicy perfumes give you the impression of wandering through a town in Seoul or Busan.

The district revolves around Okubo-dori and Shin-Okubo-dori streets, a short walk on the right as you leave the station. Ichimen-dori, the "alley of the handsome", is the liveliest street. Korean flags stand alongside portraits of K-pop stars and dozens of stores and restaurants. Beyond this commercial heart, the residential district is home to cafés, karaoke bars, beauty salons and small markets.

Although Korea Town attracts a trendy youth and fans of Korean culture, the neighborhood is also home to immigrant communities from Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The little street Islam Yokocho is home to a mosque and halal grocery stores. This mix gives Shin-Okubo a cosmopolitan atmosphere unique to Tokyo.

Shopping, cosmetics and K-pop: the district's must-sees

Shin-Okubo is a paradise for fans of K-pop and Korean products. Dozens of stores sell merchandise derived from star groups such as BTS, Blackpink or Twice: posters, albums, light sticks, clothing... Fans can even enjoy a bubble tea in a themed café or sing along to their favorite songs in a dedicated karaoke bar.

Fashion and cosmetics enthusiasts will also find something to suit their tastes. Streetwear, beauty products, make-up: Korea Town is brimming with boutiques offering the latest trends from Seoul, often at low prices. Don't miss the fabric masks that are best-sellers among Korean brands. Some stores even offer K-beauty make-up workshops.

As for unusual shopping, don't miss the surprising "purikura", kawaii photomatons that allow you to customize your photos with frames, stickers and effects. The "K-brand" stalls sell products and accessories bearing the Korean colors: pins, lighters, toothbrushes... A merry bazaar!

Unable to go to Okubo and avoid the phenomenon K-pop, Korean pop. — It's impossible to go to Okubo and avoid the K-pop phenomenon.
DR

Restaurants and street food: a culinary journey to Korea from Tokyo

With its dozens of restaurants and street food stands, Shin-Okubo is the best place in Tokyo to discover Korean cuisine. Barbecue, bibimbap, kimchi: all the classics are here, in settings reminiscent of a Seoul alleyway. In the evening, the smell of grilled meats perfumes the whole district.

For a snack on the go, it's impossible to miss the street food stalls and their specialties: topokki, kimbap, twigim, hoteok-filled doughnuts... Special mention should be made of the delicious Korean corndog, breaded with fried dough and topped with melted cheese, and cupbaps, rice stir-fried in a cup, ideal to take away. On the sweet side, cafés serve sweet patbingsu (crushed ice), bubble teas and taiyaki.

Alcohol lovers can toast the evening in a bar serving soju, the Korean brandy, or makgeolli, the local sake made from fermented rice. The perfect way to extend the evening in a typically Korean atmosphere! For your shopping needs, don't miss a trip to the large Seoul Ichiba supermarket, with its shelves of Korean groceries.

Korean barbecue, kimbap, bulgogi or bibimbap, all the wonders that offers Korean cuisine can be found in Shin-Okubo (Tokyo). — Korean barbecue, kimbap, bulgogi or bibimbap, all the wonders of Korean cuisine can be found at Shin-Okubo (Tokyo).
DR

Nearby: the Shinjuku, Kabukicho and Okubo districts

Exit Shin-Okubo station on the south side, and you'll be in the bustling commercial heart of Shinjuku in just a few minutes. This district is renowned for its skyscrapers, huge department stores and electric street atmosphere. The City Hall Tower offers a free panoramic view from the 45th floor, while to the east lies the tranquil Shinjuku Park and its Japanese garden.

To the southwest of Shin-Okubo, the sultry Kabukicho district is a city within a city. Its neon lights, love hotels and host clubs make it Japan's biggest red light district. While the naughty places are legion, there are also karaoke bars, arcades, bars and izakayas open all night long. A must-see is the Robot Restaurant, with its kitsch show that defies imagination!

Finally, the residential Okubo district extends Korea Town to the north and west. Less flashy, it's still home to Korean, Chinese and South Asian communities. Here, the sounds of languages and flavors mingle, with Nepalese restaurants, Indonesian boutiques and Indian grocery stores. It's enough to take you on a journey across Asia!

More information on the Shin-Okubo district