Shinjuku

Shinjuku is for me the most iconic district in Tokyo when first time visiting the city. This is also one of the most crowdy area with the world’s busiest train station in the World!

Shinjuku is wellknown for its busy business life, but also shopping and of course night life with Kabukicho the Redlight district of Tokyo.

Shinjuku is also the perfect place to stay if you come to Tokyo for the first time because  since this is the biggest train station in Tokyo (and the World), it is very convienent to get around from there.

How to get around

Getting around in Shinjuku can be difficult. The train station is huge with several levels and exits. Crossing it can be challenging.

Let’s spilt it in 4 zones:

• North-East Shinjuku: Kabukicho, the red night district of tokyo. Lot of night life: clubs, bars (Golden Gai), hostess bars. And also Omoide Yokocho just north exit of the Shinjuku train station
• West Shinjuku: Nishi-shinjuku, the business district with all the towers. This is where you will find the Tokyo Prefecture Government Building, the Park Hyatt Hotel (Lost in Translation) and Keio Plaza Hotel
• South Shinjuku: Southern Terrace, more quiet, shopping (Takashiyama), Bus Terminal, to Yoyogi Park
• East Shinjuku: Shinjuku-Gyoen park, more residential area, fancy restaurants.

North Shinjuku

Kabukicho

Kabukicho is the “red light district” of Tokyo, where busy and dazzling at night. For me Kabukicho reminds me of “City Hunter” Shonen Manga. There are differents emblematic interesting photos spots in Kabukicho, mostly to be shot at night with the lights:

• Kabukicho entrance gate
• Godzilla building and its view
• The crossway on Yasukuni-dori
• Robot Restaurant

Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho is a place with very small street full of Yakitori restaurants. It’s a very tourist area but also emblematic.

The thing is to make photo of the streets with the atmosphere and people passing though framed with fake cherry blossom in Spring, momiji in Autumn and snow in Winter.

West Shinjuku

Nishi-Shinjuku

This area is perfect to make architecture photography with many of the most impressive building in Tokyo. This is also the place where you will find the first Yodobashi Camera store in Tokyo!

The most remarkable buildings are:

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2 towers)
• Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (the egg)
• Shinjuku Sompo Japan Building (Atari logo)
• Park Hyatt Building (3 towers)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

This is the City Hall of Tokyo. This building can be visited and the obversation deck is free to access. 

I think this building is interesting by its specific architecture and to be captured if you have a very wide angle lens. But the view from the obversation deck is not the most impressive in Tokyo.

South Shinjuku

South Exit

South Shinjuku Exit is for me the most interesting one and the most convenient. This is where you will find:

• Tourism information center
• JR Pass office
• Bus Terminal

Shinjuku Southern Terrace

This area gives a perfect look out to the train station. There are also decorations during Christmas time in Southern Terrace.

East Shinjuku

Shinjuku Gyoen

The green part of Shinjuku. This park cost 500 Yen but is interesting to visit especially during Cherry Blossom and Koyo seasons.