Shinjuku is an area which situates in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, with Shinjuku station at its center. It is known as one of the three major metropolitan sub-centers along with Shibuya and Ikebukuro. Shinjuku is also known as the busiest entertainment center in Japan. Streets are flooded with people day and night, which is why Shinjuku is called "a city that never sleeps". The Guinness World Records registered the station of Shinjuku as the busiest train station in the world, with a daily ridership of nearly 3.64 million (2007). Shinjuku is a town with contrasting character, the urban business district and dazzling skyscrapers at the west of the station, and commercial and entertainment areas spread in the eastside of the station.
East side of Shinjuku Station
One of the famous downtown in Japan is spread in the east side of Shinjuku station, with long-established department stores, specialized shops and restaurants etc. Studio ALTA and a police booth which are in front of east exit of Shinjuku Sta. are one of the best meeting spots where a lot of people gathered especially in the evening.
West side of Shinjuku Station
A number of Skyscrapers are lined in the west side of Shinjuku station. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower, located in 10 minutes walk from Shinjuku Sta., is the highest building in Shinjuku (243m). From the observatory space at the 202 meters high of the building, city view of Tokyo are seen for free. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower also has Tokyo Tourist Information Center where you can get guides and maps of Tokyo sightseeing. There is Shinjuku Chuo Park with 80 thousands square meters wide behind Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower, is a relax area for office workers.
North side of Shinjuku Station
There is "Kabukicho" which is a big red-light area with a lot of restaurants and Japanese style pubs etc. in north side of Shinjuku station. The name "Kabukicho" was named by the governor of Tokyo at the time, when there was a plan of construction of a Kabuki theater in 1945s. The plan was failed but the name remained. Kabukicho is also known as an area of having a lot of movie theaters.
South side of Shinjuku Station
Skyscrapers and department stores have constructed one after another by the redevelopment around 1998. In front of Flags, a shopping building with huge screen, located in right next to southeast exit is popular as a meeting spot, crowds with people at all times. There is a street called "Mosaic Street" where stylish shops and cafes are lined between Keio Department Store and Odakyu Department Store, is right next to South exit of Shinjuku station, and is an accessway between west exit and south exit of Shinjuku station.
Access
By Train
- Shinjuku Station
- JR Line, Keio Line or Keio-shinsen Line, Odakyu Line
- Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Toei Subway Shinjuku Line or Oedo Line
- Seibu-Shinjuku Sta.
- Seibu Shinjuku Line
- Shinjuku-sanchome Sta.
- Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
SHINJUKU TRAVEL SPOT GUIDE
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The tallest building in Shinjuku ward, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building features two observatories, the north and the south. By taking the observatory elevator from the 1st floor of Main Building No. 1, you will see a magnificent view from the 45th floor, 202 meters above ground level. As there is no charge to get in, this becomes one of the most popular attractions and is crowded, both during the day and night.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Straddling Shinjuku and Shibuya wards, Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden) is a large park dotted with distinguished gardens. Often reputed to be a masterpiece collection of landscape gardens in Japan, the park displays a blend of three distinct styles; traditional Japanese, English and Formal gardens. During the cherry-blossom and chrysanthemum seasons, the park is open seven days a week and becomes a major tourist draw. In winter, the gardens offer beautiful snowscapes.
NTT Intercommunication Center
Opened in 1997 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of telephone service in Japan, NTT Intercommunication Center (ICC) operates as an innovative media art gallery. In line with its goal to help advance the communication between artists and scientists, the museum plans and executes permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on a wide range of subjects, such as interactions among biology, technology, and art.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
Comprising of over 200 small bars and clubs lining a network of dimly lit alleys, Shinjuku Golden Gai preserves Tokyo's atmosphere of the Showa period. The area is known as a meeting place for celebrities and those aspiring to be successful in entertainment industries.
Kabukicho
Considered to be among the most boisterous entertainment districts in Asia, Kabukicho abounds with bars, nightclubs, love hotels, pachinko parlors and restaurants. In this "Sleepless Town", the streets are lit with neon signs shining all through the night and crowded with people twenty four hours a day.
Tokyo Opera City
Tokyo Opera City, comprising the New National Theater and the Tokyo Opera City building, is a large cultural complex housing restaurants, offices and an art gallery. The New National Theatre is a notable facility dedicated to performing arts such as opera and ballet. The 53rd and 54th floors of the building allow you a magnificent view of Tokyo.
Isetan
Widely recognized as one of Japan's most venerable department stores, Isetan has a history of over 100 years. Isetan Shinjuku flagship store comprises the main store and a Men's Annex. The main building, with eight floors offering food, home appliances and clothing, is a designated historical architecture selected by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Takashimaya Times Square
Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square is a popular shopping complex with Takashimaya Department Store, Tokyu Hands, and other speciality shops in its sixteen-floor main building. The enticing shopping options attract a multitude of visitors day in and day out. The annex, Kinokuniya Book Store, offers a wide array of books and magazines.
Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
Located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, tucked beside the railway, is Omoide Yokocho, a small alley crammed with bars and yakitori joints. The narrow lane is a rare spot evocative of Japan's chaotic postwar era in the late 1940s when food stalls filled the area bustling with black marketers.
Shinjuku Southern Terrace
Opened in 1998, Shinjuku Southern Terrace is a wide promenade teeming with a wealth of stores including pilot shops. One of them is the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with its clientele waiting in line to taste America's savory snack. The Christmas illuminations in the area pull in many visitors every year.
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