A Map of Shinjuku for Emergencies

Anything can happen while you're on a trip. Various situations such as injuries, illnesses, losing your belongings, and natural disasters can occur, putting a huge damper on your otherwise pleasant trip.

It's difficult to find police stations and hospitals in an unfamiliar place. In this article, we will introduce the information centers, restrooms, kōban (police boxes), hospitals, and an evacuation site around the Shinjuku station.

The details of each place is listed at the end of the article.

Information Center

Tokyo Tourist Information Center at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

This center provides information to tourists from all over the world. You can obtain a free sightseeing guide of Tokyo called "Handy Guide," and a map called "Handy Map," written in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. There is also a PC which can be used to search up information.

Besides the information center, there are bookstores and restaurants in the building, and an observation deck on the 45th floor which you can use for free. There is a shop that handles regional products of Tokyo, so this Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building can also be regarded as a sightseeing spot.

The nearest station is the Tochomae Station of the Toei Subway Oedo Line. You can also walk from Shinjuku Station, which takes about 10 minutes. The simplest route from Shinjuku Station will be to go through the West Gate and taking the underground passage. The information center is located on the first floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Information Desk

This desk is located in the Tokyo Metro Shinjuku station; the staff can speak English.

Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center

This center is located near the Odakyu Railway ticket gate. The staff are proficient in English, with some part-time staff speaking Chinese and Korean as well.

Currency Exchange

It's sometimes difficult to exchange currency while you're traveling. Using a bank is the safest way to obtain Japanese yen, but if you're in the Shunjuku station, there is a booth next to the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center which handles currency exchange.

In Case of Sudden Illness

The following hospitals are either prepared for emergencies, or the doctors are versed in various languages.

Tokyo Medical University Hospital

This hospital handles surgery, internal medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and dermatology, so it covers most of the illness that a tourist may suffer. It is open in the nighttime and holidays; credit cards are also accepted. Not only can the doctors speak English, the hospital is also located at a ten-minute walking distance from Shinjuku Station.

Sone Clinic

This clinic is conveniently located at a three-minute walking distance from the Shinjuku station. It handles internal, cardiovascular, and digestive medicine, while the doctor speaks English and German. "Miyama Shokai," the camera shop with a yellow sign, is on the first floor of the building, and the clinic is on the third floor.

Some Useful Services

If you're looking for a hospital which can provide you assistance in a specific language, try the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center.

■Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center
Telephone: +81-3-5285-8181
Hours: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish

If you have difficulties explaining your symptoms at a hospital or a pharmacy, try the Emergency Translation Services. Call the number listed below, talk to the operator, and they will explain to the staff.

■Emergency Translation Services
Telephone: +81-3-5285-8185
Hours:
Weekdays 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Weekends and Holidays 9:00am - 8:00pm
Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish

Public Restrooms

There are many public restrooms near Shinjuku Station, and some of them are equipped with the "daredemo" (meaning "anyone") feature, referring to a western-style, multi-purpose restroom that can be used by a person in a wheelchair or parents with children. The restrooms are well-maintained and safe to use.

Shinjuku West Exit Public Restroom No. 1

Go through the West Gate of the JR Shinjuku station, turn right, and you'll find the restroom in the underground passage, near the stairs leading to the Marunouchi line and the Toei Subway Oedo line. The multi-purpose restroom is located across the passage and normally locked for security reasons. Use the intercom on the right-hand side of the entrance to contact the staff.

Shinjuku Southeast Exit Public Restroom

Go through the Southeast Gate of the Shinjuku station and you will find the restroom located under the stairs that leads to the open space. There is a multi-purpose restroom across the passage from the general restroom.

Police Station

In Japan, there are police boxes called kōban(交番). If you are lost, lose your belongings, or in some kind of trouble, going to the kōban may help. An attentive police officer will advise you what to do.

There are two kōban near the Shinjuku station, one each at the East Exit and West Exit.

Shinjuku Station East Exit Kōban

This kōban is located at the first floor of the Shinjuku station building, facing the East Exit plaza.

Shinjuku Station West Exit Kōban

This kōban is located underground, near the West Gate of the JR Shinjuku station.

Shinjuku Police Station

Shinjuku police station has jurisdiction over Shinjuku-ku. It is far larger than a kōban and handles incidents such as losing a passport or serious crimes.

Evacuation Sites

In Japan there are designated evacuation sites in case of a natural disaster such as earthquakes. However, you might actually be better off paying attention to the people around you. Stay calm, assess the situation, and then move on to the nearest evacuation site.

Shinjuku Gyoen

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Naito-chō 11
If you happen to be in the eastern side of the Shinjuku station, the Shinjuku Gyoen located at a 10-minute walking distance from the station will be the nearest evacuation site. An admission fee is usually required, but it will be open to the public in cases of disasters.

Stay-in Areas

The western side of the Shinjuku station is designated as a "stay-in area." The buildings in this area are fireproof and earthquake-proof, so it is safer to stay in this area, rather than evacuating to other areas. Pay attention to the situation at hand and don't move from the stay-in area.

Smoking Areas Near the Shinjuku Station

In Shinjuku-ku, smoking on the street is prohibited. If you need to have a smoke, go to the areas listed above or to the restaurants or cafes that allow smoking.

Information

Tokyo Tourist Information Center at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nishishinjuku 2-8-1
Hours: 9:30am - 6:30pm
Closed:
Over the year end and the New Year Holidays.
The center will also be closed when the building is under maintenance.
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station: Tochōmae Station (都庁前駅) of the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access:
The center is located on the south side of the Tochōmae Station.
Ten-minute walk from the West Gate of the JR Shinjuku station.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-5321-3077
Official Website: Tokyo Tourist Information Center (GO TOKYO website)

Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Information Desk

Address:
Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku West Exit Chikagai 1
Hours: 9:15am - 5:15pm
Closed: Over the year end and the New Year Holidays.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available.
Credit Cards: -
Language: English
Menus Available In: -
Station: Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line
Access: Located in the Shinjuku West Exit Underground Shopping Area.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: -
Official Website: -

Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center, Shinjuku

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku 1-1-3
Hours: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: English. Part-time staff speak Chinese and Korean.
Menus Available In: Yes
Station: Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the Odakyu Railway.
Access: Located near the west exit of the Odakyu Railway Shinjuku Station.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-5321-7887
Official Website: -

Shinjuku West Exit Public Restroom No. 1

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku 1
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station: Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, Keio Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, and the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access:
One-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the JR Lines and Odakyu Railway.
Two-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Three-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Five-minute walk from the Seibu Shinjuku Station of the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-5273-3914 (Shinjuku City Office, Park Administration)
Official Website: -

Shinjuku Southeast Exit Public Restroom

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-37
Hours: Open 24 hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station: Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, Keio Line, Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line, and the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access:
One-minute walk from the South East Gate of the Shinjuku Station of the JR Lines.
Three-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the Odakyu Railway.
Five-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the Keio Line.
Five-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Seven-minute walk from the Shinjuku-sanchome Station of the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-5273-3914 (Shinjuku City Office, Park Administration)
Official Website: -

Tokyo Medical University Hospital

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku 6-7-1
Hours:
Weekdays 8:00am - 11:00am, 11:00am - 2:30pm
The First, Third and the Fifth Saturdays 8:00am - 11:00am
Closed:
The Second and Fourth Saturdays, the Third Saturday of April, Sundays, National Holidays, the year end and New Year Holidays.
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, and DC are accepted.
Language: English
Menus Available In: -
Station: Nishi-shinjuku Station (西新宿駅) of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Access:
Near exit 2 and exit E5 of the Nishi-shinjuku Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Seven-minute walk from exit A7 of the Tochomae Station of the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Ten-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station of JR Lines.
Price Range: Dependent on diagnosis.
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-3342-6111
Official Website: Tokyo Medical University Hospital

Sone Clinic

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-32-8
Hours:
Weekdays 9:00am - 12:30pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am - 12:30pm
Closed: Sundays and National Holidays.
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: English and German
Menus Available In: -
Station:
Shinjuku-sanchome Station (新宿三丁目駅) of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, Keio Line, Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line, and the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access:
One-minute walk from exit A1 of the Shinjuku-sanchome Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Three-minute walk from the Central East Gate of the Shinjuku Station of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, and the Keio Line.
Price Range: Dependent on diagnosis.
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-3356-3888
Official Website: Sone Clinic (Japanese)

Shinjuku Station East Exit Kōban

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-38-1
Hours: Open 24 Hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station:
Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, Keio Line, Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line, and the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access: Located at the first floor of the station building, facing the Higashiguchi Hiroba.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-3346-0110 (Shinjuku Police Station)
Official Website: -

Shinjuku Station West Exit Kōban

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku West Exit Chikagai 1
Hours: Open 24 Hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station:
Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) of the JR Lines, Odakyu Railway, Keio Line, Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line, and the Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Access: Located near the West Gate of the JR Shinjuku station.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-3346-0110 (Shinjuku Police Station)
Official Website: -

Shinjuku Police Station

Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi-shinjuku 6-1-1
Hours: Open 24 Hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: -
Credit Cards: -
Language: -
Menus Available In: -
Station:
Nishi-shinjuku Station (西新宿駅) of the Tokyo Metro Marunōchi Line.
Access: Two-minute walk to the east from the Nishi-shinjuku Station of the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.
Price Range: -
Religion: -
Phone Number: +81-3-3346-0110
Official Website (Japanese): Shinjuku Police Station