In Part 1, I introduced the area around Kabukicho, the east exit of Shinjuku. In part 2, I will introduce the area around the west exit and the south exit.
The characterized Tokyo is wherever you go, you can find blended things old and new or bustling and tranquil. Here in south of Shinjuku, you can see the great modern skyscrapers and an urban park with gardens that are mixed Japanese and Western styles.
Tokyo metropolitan government office building is located here. That observatory deck is 45th floor, which command breathtaking landscape of Tokyo.
And Park Hyatt hotel, which became famous by the movie "Lost Translation", is right next to the door.
Both buildings are the works of world-famous Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Those appearances look also similar.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which is still a symbolic building among the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, but it was criticized considerably in 1991 when it was completed. In Japan at that time, that building was too cutting edged only being seen as a white elephant.
Even with Tange's fame, the nation couldn't accept his work. And today, thirty years after that, it now blends into the city of Shinjuku and the dignity of the landmark drifts without any resistance. This is probably the result of Tange's foresight.
Next is Shinjuku Gyoen garden.
There are a lot of shopping malls directly connected to Shinjuku Station, many department stores as well. 10-minute walk through the hustle and bustle of the shopping district will take you to this vast and quiet garden where the air changes. In this tumultuous Shinjuku, this garden is an amazing existence. However, there are other many places in Tokyo where such gardens suddenly appear in the middle of city. What we can say in common is that they were all daimyo (feudal lord) residences during the Edo period. It is unimaginable how large the daimyo owned their mansion.
The size between the daimyo and the common people's house is by far the most different.
(I will tell you this story at the Edo-Tokyo Museum or the Shitamachi Museum. Both are recommended places.)
By the way, this Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is especially popular during the cherry blossom season. Have you ever heard the word “cherry blossom viewing”? It is an important cherry blossom viewing event that is indispensable for Japanese annual spring events. Spread the sheet under the cherry trees and eat your lunch or dinner.
Unfortunately, you can't drink alcohol here. (to put it the other way around, you can drink some other public places) Instead, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a healthy manner. Of course, it is a garden that is spectacular not only in spring but throughout the year. You can also enjoy a pure Japanese-style garden. You can also try matcha, green tea with Japanese sweets here.
Shinjuku is also a very attractive city.
There is too much fun in Tokyo!
If you feel like going to Shinjuku, feel free to contact me.
I also love to give an architecture tours, if you like it.
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Linda Steinberg (Sunday, 31 January 2021 01:30)
Hi Kumi - wish we could be traveling.