Shinjuku Chūō Park ⚠ Unverified Own this place?

Shinjuku Chūō Park, the large public park in Nishi-Shinjuku, still appears in 2026 Japanese cruising guides from gayapp and Mr.Cruising. Both advise against it: police patrol the area, the toilets are monitored, and people have filmed men there for online "exposure" videos. Sex in a public place counts as public indecency under Article 174 of Japan's Penal Code, punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine. Shinjuku has more than a dozen legal, paid hattenba, most of them in Ni-chōme, Shinjuku 5-chōme and Kabukichō, and they are the safer option. We list the park because guides still name it, not as a recommendation.