Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Though Shinjuku-gyoen was designed as an imperial retreat (completed 1906), it's
now definitively a park for everyone. The wide lawns make it a favourite for urban-
ites needing an escape from the hurly-burly of city life. There's also an impressive
greenhouse
and
traditional teahouse
. In spring, Shinjuku-gyoen is a popular
hanami
(cherry-blossom viewing) spot.
( 3350-0151;
www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugy-
oen
; 11 Naito-chō, Shinjuku-ku; adult/6-15yr/under 6yr ¥200/50/free;
9am-4.30pm Tue-Sun;
Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku-gyoenmae, exit 1)
3
Nishi-Shinjuku
NEIGHBOURHOOD
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Nishi-Shinjuku (west Shinjuku) is the rare grid in a city where right angles are few
and far between. Come to gawk at skyscrapers, such as the webbed Mode Cocoon
Tower. There's also a smattering of public art, including Robert Indiana's
Love
sculpture and the two
Tokyo Brushstrokes
sculptures by Roy Liechtenstein.
(
JR
Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, west exit)
4
Humax
ARCADE
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Primp for
purikura
(print club or photo stickers), bang away on the
taiko
(drum)
game or try your luck with UFO-catchers at this huge and popular arcade. It's not
just for school kids: salarymen skipping work can be found playing virtual horse-
racing games in smoky corners.
( 1-20-1 Kabukichō, Shinjuku-ku;
10am-11.45pm Sun-Thu,
to 12.45am Fri & Sat;
JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, east exit)
5
Hanazono-jinja
SHINTO SHRINE
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During the day merchants from nearby Kabukichō come to this Shintō shrine to
pray for the solvency of their business ventures. At night, despite signs asking rev-
ellers to refrain, drinking and merrymaking carries over from the nearby bars onto
