Shinjuku tourism
The Shinjuku area of Tokyo is rich in culture and is a must see for any tourist interested in Japanese history.
The Shinjuku ward of Tokyo is the governmental seat for the Metropolis, and houses the busiest train station in the world. Tokyo is broken down into districts, or wards; each one having their own area for shopping. Shinjuku’s concentration is in cameras, computers and books.
Home to the some of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants, Shinjuku boasts a bevy of interesting spots for any sightseer.
Areas of Shinjuku
- Ichigaya is a commercial area holding the Japan Defense Agency headquarters.
- Kabukicho is the red-light district with many sex shops and brothels. Many of Shinjuku’s fine bars and restaurants are also in this area.
- Nishi-sinuous holds Tokyo’s tallest buildings.
- Shinanomachi houses the Meiji-Jingu Stadium where the Yakult Swallows baseball team is headquartered.
- Shinjuku Gyoen is a 58.3 hectacre park, with traditional Japanese, English and French Formal gardens, and many of Tokyo’s historic landmarks. A must see.
- Waseda is home to the most prestigious private university in Japan…Waseda University.
- Takadanobaba is the area around Waseda University and has an upbeat nightlife.
Historical landmarks and cultural assets
- Minnano-Izumi or Spring for everyone, is a drinking trough given to Tokyo in 1901 by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association of London. Made of fine red marble (Blood stone), the Basiuso has different drinking levels for horses and domestic animals, plus an area for humans.
- The Shiki No Michi or Four Seasons Pathway, is a walking trail that parallels the old streetcar rails in Esplanade Park. The mosaic pathway was chosen in 1994 as the place that best represents the heart and soul of Shinjuku due to its lush green plant life.
- Hanazono Shrine was built in honor of a local God, Naito-Shinjuku, in the early seventeenth century. The shrine has been destroyed over and over by fire. The present structure was built in 1965. It holds a copper statue of Foo Dog, a significant symbol of Shinjuku culture.
- Syojuin Temple was constructed in 1594 with a prominent statue that had the appearance of an old woman taking clothes off dead people beside the River Styx. This statue…as legend has it…was commissioned to the wife of a retainer of the shogun. The man thought it was so vile he dedicated it to Syojuin. The sculpture was enshrined around 1700. It is believed to possess miraculous healing powers, and in 1849 was nicknamed a popular deity due the non-stop worshippers who sought its influence. The shrine holds many yearly masses.