Daytime Shinjuku: Something for Everyone
Shinjuku’s skyscrapers are an iconic Tokyo sight. If you’ve ever seen a clip of Godzilla pushing over a skyscraper, chances are you’re looking at Shinjuku. Since 1991 when the Tokyo Government relocated to Shinjuku, the district has enjoyed a reputation as Tokyo’s political center. It’s also a thriving business hub. Shinjuku Station holds the world record for the busiest train station in the world. An average of 3.64 million people passes through Shinjuku Station on any given day, mostly office workers heading for jobs in the skyscrapers. For most tourists, Shinjuku is better known for its nightlife, in particular, Kabuki-cho, the red-light district with bars and questionable entertainment. In recent years, as Shinjuku’s nightclubs moved elsewhere, the district has become a daytime destination. Shinjuku has a wealth of shopping opportunities, one of the best parks in Tokyo, incredible views, and some quirky tourist attractions—including the ward’s tourism ambassador, Godzilla. For things to do at night in Shinjuku go here: Things to do in Shinjuku at NightContents
- Daytime Shinjuku: Something for Everyone
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck: The Best Free View of Tokyo
- Shinjuku Gyoen: Tokyo’s Most Beautiful Park
- The Samurai Museum: Honor Above Life
- Hotel Gracery: See Godzilla Up Close and Personal?
- Is Shinjuku in the Day Worth Visiting?
- How to Get There
- Insider’s Tips
- Top Destinations in Tokyo
- Top Attractions in Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck: The Best Free View of Tokyo
View Tokyo from its political heart. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two Observation Decks in its North and South towers that are open to the public. From the first floor of the main building, take the Observatory Elevator to the 202-meter high observation decks. In addition to offering a great view of the surrounding skyscrapers, you can see Tokyo highlights including the Tokyo Dome, the iconic sporting arena, and nearby Meiji Jingu Shrine. You can also see the Observation Deck’s main rivals, the Tokyo Tower, and its successor, the Tokyo Skytree. On a fine day, you can glimpse Mt. Fuji, 138 km away. Opening Hours
South Observation Tower: 9:30am – 5:30pm (last entry at 5:00pm) Every 2nd and 4th Monday: 9:30am – 11:00pm (last entry at 10:30pm) Closed on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. If a national holiday falls on one of those days, the observation deck will be open, but will be closed the following day. Closed on December 29-31 and January 2-3 North Observation Tower: 9:30- 23:00 (last entry at 22:30) Closed: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. If a national holiday falls on one of those days, the observation deck will be open, but will be closed the following day. Closed on December 29-31 and January 2-3Admission Fees
Admission is freeFor More Information
Check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Government WebsiteShinjuku Gyoen: Tokyo’s Most Beautiful Park
Shinjuku Gyoen is possibly the most beautiful park in Tokyo, a claim to fame made more impressive by the caliber of the competition. Yoyogi Park may be livelier, and Ueno Park might be bigger, but Shinjuku Gyoen holds its own. All three of its main gardens, the English landscape garden, Formal French Garden and Traditional Japanese Garden, are beautifully landscaped and impeccably maintained. The site has been a garden since 1172 and has been an experimental agricultural center and botanical garden before becoming the Imperial garden it is today. Although open to the public, it is occasionally used by the Imperial family such as in 1989 when the garden hosted Emperor Showa’s funerary rites. In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular place to view cherry blossoms. The 1,500 cherry trees in Shinjuku Gyoen are made up of three varieties which bloom at different times, making for a viewing season lasting from late March to late April.Opening Hours
9:00am – 4:30pm (last entry 4:00pm) Closed: Mondays except during cherry blossom and chrysanthemum season (late March-late April/early November). If Monday is a national holiday, the next day will be closed Also closed on December 29th-January 3rdAdmission Fees
Adults: 200 yen Children (5-14): 50 yenThe Samurai Museum: Honor Above Life
Shinjuku’s Samurai Museum is a new tourist attraction. It’s foreigner friendly, with displays labeled in English, Korean, and Chinese. The small, two-story museum is jam-packed with information about the samurai period. The museum’s focus on the 700 years from the end of the Heian period through to the Edo period allows it to go in-depth on samurai in a way other museums can’t. The museum’s mission statement is to revive the soul of the samurai by educating visitors about the reality of the samurai period. The museum’s owner spent five years building the museum’s collection. The exhibits are displayed in a setting that subtly reproduces samurai-period dwellings. The museum offers visitors the chance to dress up in samurai armor, witness a sword drawing exhibition, or try calligraphy as practiced by the samurai. The museum’s user-friendly nature means it is ideally suited for casual visitors, while the depth of information presented means even seasoned samurai aficionados will learn something new. I was surprised to learn which weapons had the greatest impact on samurai life. It takes half an hour to an hour to go through the exhibits on your own, but it is worthwhile joining a guided tour of the museum. Check out the video below for a cool introduction to this museum: Opening Hours
10:30am -9:00pm (last entry 8:30pm)Admission Fees
Adult: 1800 yen Children (4-12): 800 yen Children 3 or under: free For More Information Shinjuku Samurai Museum websiteHotel Gracery: See Godzilla Up Close and Personal?
thaneeh.gmail.com / Depositphotos.com
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