Shinjuku
From dazzlingly modern skyscrapers and a newly built opera district to crowded discount shops and pubs in back alleys, Shinjuku has everything. JR Shinjuku Station is said to be the busiest station in the world with 760 thousand passengers boarding trains daily. Early on a weekday morning is the best time to view the plight of the Tokyo commuter. Shinjuku is Tokyo's western terminal and the starting point for Odakyu Railway services to Hakone, a mountainous hot-spring resort with a beautiful lake. East of the station is a traditional shopping and entertainment district. To the west of the station lies Nishi-Shinjuku. This area was virtually empty until the late 1960s, but now hosts the biggest concentration of high-rise buildings inJapan. Several buildings have observation floors and most have restaurants on their upper levels, affording some of the most spectacular night time views in the city. Between the station and the skyscrapers lies an area devoted to cut-price cameras, electrlcal goods and computers. In 1698, Shinjuku was made the first post town along the Koshu Kaido, the highway designated for travelers heading northwest out of Tokyo. Reminders ofthe past include shrines, festivals, and Oiwake Dango, the very dumpling shop that catered to feudal travelers.Shinjuku Gyoen Map 8-C3
Tokyo has more than 5000 parks within the centraI 23 wards, many with just a bench and a water fountain, but Shnjuku Gyoen is arguably the best park of all. The carefully pruned premises include English and French gardens. The park is especially spectacular when its 1500 cherry trees boom at the beginning of April and the chrysanthemums open in early November. Tea and sweet cakes are served in a pavilion. Open 9:00-16:00 except Mon (but open Mon during cherry and chrysanthemum season) and late Dec-early Jan. Admission 200yen. 5 min walk from subway Shinjuku-gyoenmae Stn or Shinjuku Sanchome Stn.
Tokyo has more than 5000 parks within the centraI 23 wards, many with just a bench and a water fountain, but Shnjuku Gyoen is arguably the best park of all. The carefully pruned premises include English and French gardens. The park is especially spectacular when its 1500 cherry trees boom at the beginning of April and the chrysanthemums open in early November. Tea and sweet cakes are served in a pavilion. Open 9:00-16:00 except Mon (but open Mon during cherry and chrysanthemum season) and late Dec-early Jan. Admission 200yen. 5 min walk from subway Shinjuku-gyoenmae Stn or Shinjuku Sanchome Stn.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Map 8-A2
The offices were relocated from Yurakucho to this cathedral-like edifice in 1991. The building was the work of pre-eminent postwar Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. It rises 48 f1oors, splitting at the 33rd story into symmetrical towers that rise to 243 meters. The public observation decks on the 45th floor, reached by elevator in 55 seconds, have now superseded Tokyo Tower as the premier location from which to survey the entire sprawling metropolis. On clear days, especially in winter, the TMGO offers brilliant views of Yokohama to the southwest and Mt. Fuji to the west.
Open 9:30-17:O0, 9:30-19:00 weekends and pubic holidays. Closed Mon (except if public holiday) and late Dec-early Jan.
Admission is free.
Near subway Tocho mae Stn or 10min walk from JR/subway Shinjuku Stn.
The offices were relocated from Yurakucho to this cathedral-like edifice in 1991. The building was the work of pre-eminent postwar Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. It rises 48 f1oors, splitting at the 33rd story into symmetrical towers that rise to 243 meters. The public observation decks on the 45th floor, reached by elevator in 55 seconds, have now superseded Tokyo Tower as the premier location from which to survey the entire sprawling metropolis. On clear days, especially in winter, the TMGO offers brilliant views of Yokohama to the southwest and Mt. Fuji to the west.
Open 9:30-17:O0, 9:30-19:00 weekends and pubic holidays. Closed Mon (except if public holiday) and late Dec-early Jan.
Admission is free.
Near subway Tocho mae Stn or 10min walk from JR/subway Shinjuku Stn.
Kabukicho, Tokyo's Premier Red Light District Map 8-C1
Shinjuku has always had a reputation as one of Tokyo's pleasure quarters. After the Second World War, plans to build a kabuki theater never materialized but the name stuck, and Kabukicho's neon-lighted streets continue to uphold a reputation for some of the most unfettered nightlife in the city. The area also boasts countless restaurants with excellent examples of virtually every Asian cuisine, and bars of every size and description.
Shinjuku has always had a reputation as one of Tokyo's pleasure quarters. After the Second World War, plans to build a kabuki theater never materialized but the name stuck, and Kabukicho's neon-lighted streets continue to uphold a reputation for some of the most unfettered nightlife in the city. The area also boasts countless restaurants with excellent examples of virtually every Asian cuisine, and bars of every size and description.Tokyo Opera City Map 8-A3
Located southwest of Nishi-Shinjuku Tokyo Opera City opened in 1996 and consists of the New National Theatre and the Tokyo Opera City Tower building. The impressive New National Theatre is an airy structure housing three performance spaces. The 54-story Opera City Building has three concert halls. On the 4th to 6th floors is NTT Inter-Communication Center (ICC), an innovative museum run by Japan's Iargest telecom firm. Exhibits include highly advanced technologies.
Admisson 800yen.
Open 10:00-18:00, 10:00-21:00 on Fri. Last entry 30 min before closing time.
Closed Mon, late Dec early Jan and a few days each year for maintenance.
Located southwest of Nishi-Shinjuku Tokyo Opera City opened in 1996 and consists of the New National Theatre and the Tokyo Opera City Tower building. The impressive New National Theatre is an airy structure housing three performance spaces. The 54-story Opera City Building has three concert halls. On the 4th to 6th floors is NTT Inter-Communication Center (ICC), an innovative museum run by Japan's Iargest telecom firm. Exhibits include highly advanced technologies.
Admisson 800yen.
Open 10:00-18:00, 10:00-21:00 on Fri. Last entry 30 min before closing time.
Closed Mon, late Dec early Jan and a few days each year for maintenance.
Takashimaya Times Square Map8-B3
Just minutes away from Shinjuku Station at the end of a moving walkway, Takashimaya Times Square is a massive shopping/entertainment/dining complex. Pride of place goes to Takashimaya, one of Tokyo's Iargest department stores. The complex also houses a popular lifestyle and DlY store, and an annex is occupied by a bookstore. The top three floors are devoted to leisure activities: Tokyo lmax Theater is the first large-screen 3D movie theater in Japan. Hungry? Choose from more than 30 reasonably priced restaurants and cafes.
Just minutes away from Shinjuku Station at the end of a moving walkway, Takashimaya Times Square is a massive shopping/entertainment/dining complex. Pride of place goes to Takashimaya, one of Tokyo's Iargest department stores. The complex also houses a popular lifestyle and DlY store, and an annex is occupied by a bookstore. The top three floors are devoted to leisure activities: Tokyo lmax Theater is the first large-screen 3D movie theater in Japan. Hungry? Choose from more than 30 reasonably priced restaurants and cafes.
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