A special ward in the metropolis of Tokyo Shinjuku is known as the town that doesn’t sleep with teetering skyscrapers and a neon-lit hub of eating and drinking. It is also home to the busiest train station in the world. Discover the enigma and the essence of Shinjuku that keeps drawing loads of visitors here each day.
Introduction
Shinjuku offers a never-ending buzz of activities with people stepping out of bars and restaurants into intriguing lantern-lit alleyways or underground walkways which are veritable treasure troves or gliding into glittering department stores that are loaded with shops carrying world-renowned brands. It remains one of the three major shopping areas of Tokyo and is also a city where a segment of the working population continues to work long hours in their offices as can be gleaned from a look up to the office towers.
Shinjuku is comprised of many neighbourhoods and scenic locations that collectively offer an ensemble of multifaceted experiences to its visitors such as those using luxury hotels in Shinjuku. Discover a few of the unique and intriguing ones.
Famous Shinjuku Station Area
Witnessing the frenetic movements of commuters at Shinjuku station is a unique sight to behold. It is considered that over 3.5 million people cross this station daily with the turnstiles spinning at unprecedented speed at rush hours. These mega commuters put the number of pedestrians at the iconic Shibuya Crossing fade into insignificance. For visitors such as those using HOTEL GROVE SHINJUKU, this station is a walkable distance to experience the almost fantasy-like movements of office workers, school girts, young lovers and more in a burst of colours whizzing past. An unforgettable image that provides a glimpse into the essence of bustling Shinjuku.
The commercial establishments around this magnificent railway station have sprouted up to cater to the commuters crossing the station with eats on the go or on-site to suit different budgets. Explore Omoide-Yokocho, meaning Memory Lane and in this case a place that holds profound memories. A labyrinth of narrow alleyways, these were the locations of the black market in Shinjuku after World War II selling many types of wares. These alleyways with black market stalls were considered a wild and unsafe place. Many decades later these licensed restaurant areas are safe for all.
These alleyways near the station’s West exit seem in total contrast to the modern station. They have tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurants, barbecue and food stalls serving scores of commuters at all hours. Tired office workers come here for a beer and a quick bite.
Another food offering in the vicinity with a different ambience is at Depachika (meaning large food hall, this is situated on the lowermost floor at Isetan Department Store considered the Best Fashion Museum) Both local and international dishes are available at this food hall, with a sake tasting corner, and inviting Japanese sweets.
Absorb all these experiences along with the multilingual dialogues you may hear as you move around giving you a true feel of Shinjuku Culture as you uncover the iconic things to do here.
The colourful oasis of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Spread over 58.3 hectares, Shinjuku Gyoen Park was completed in 1906 as an Imperial Garden. Later due to the damage caused to the park during World War II, the gardens were redesigned and opened to the public as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in 1949.
With three distinct styles of formal gardens, the Japanese Traditional Garden and Landscape Garden being adopted these sprawling gardens are not only breathtaking they are also an oasis in the city for locals and visitors alike attracting them to the gardens modelled after the ancient Meiji Era with a modern outlook.
Irrespective of the season that you travel in these gardens are a source of calming inspiration and refuge to all despite the hustle and bustle of the city just a few km away. Each season offers beauty with fascinating cherry blossoms in spring, soft green hues of warm summer, colourful splendour of leaves and chrysanthemums in fall and enchanting snowscapes in winter.
Enigmatic Golden Gai
Golden Gai in Japanese means Golden Block, a block of 6 narrow laneways in Shinjuku. With as many as 280 unique eating places, pubs and bars Golden Gai offers a vibrant nightlife coming alive from 8 pm each evening.
Though a red-light street during ancient times the maze of compact alleyways now operates these food and drink outlets with each one having very limited seating. However, what is lacking in space is made up for with creative concepts in the offering as well as in the ambience.
Preserving the traditional architecture of Tokyo in the mid-1900s Golden Gai is a short walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. Patronized by a mixed clientele of artists, professionals, musicians, celebrities, office workers and visitors one must keep looking out for the most interesting bar. Names like Ramen Nagi, Albatross, Nikuto and The Open Book bars are quirky sounding yet seem to entice large numbers of customers. A visit here to appreciate a meal and drink gives visitors a chance to discover the inimitable essence of Shinjuku.
Nishi Shinjuku
Also known as West Shinjuku, this unusual section of Shinjuku showcases Tokyo’s first leap into skyscraper construction with its first skyscraper emerging in 1970. Progress continued in Nishi Shinjuku, being called the skyscraper district with a collection of corporate buildings almost resembling an exclusive corporate district of the USA when you stroll down the street.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho) rubs shoulders with these giants which are home to finance and insurance companies, banks, large hotels, universities and more.
You can easily couple your visit to this spectacular neighbourhood with a visit to the observation decks of Tocho at a height of 202 m for a panoramic view of Shinjuku, with iconic sights of Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Dome and even Mount Fuji on a clear day.
