Shopping in Shinjuku Tokyo

shinjuku is one of the 23 wards of the metropolis of Tokyo, Japan but commonly refers to just the large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station.

Handling more than two million passengers each day, Shinjuku Station is Japan busiest railway station, served by six railway companies and about a dozen railway and subway lines, including the JR Yamanote Line.

West of the station is Shinjuku' skyscraper district, home to many of Tokyo's tallest buildings, including several premier hotels and the Metropolitan Government Office, whose observation decks are open to the public for free.

Northeast of the station lies Kabukicho, Japan's largest and wildest red light district, while department stores, subterranean malls and electronic shops surround Shinjuku Station on all four sides, including the recently redeveloped south, where the pleasant Southern Terrace is located. Redevelopment there is still ongoing.

A walk in Shinjuku Tokyo in Japan

The Shinjuku area of Tokyo is well know for its neon signs and amazing lights - from Tokyo Tower you can spot the whole Shinjuku area easily - it's lit up like a Christmas tree.

I took a walk though Shinjuku at night and took some video clips and pictures.

(The latest version of Quicktime is needed to view the video clips. You may download it free from Apple)

This first movie is taken right in the main street on Shinjuku - over the road from me is Taito station - This is a games arcade on 5 floors. Each floor has a different theme of games, Driving games, beat 'em ups, Gambling etc.

In the second movie you can see a business man (salaryman) playing a music game, his briefcase at his feet - the aim of the game is to hit the correct buttons in time with the music.

In the pictures below you can see some of the lights in Shinjuku. The large sign is for a shop selling Viagra, Prozac, hair growing cream and other drugs - the last part of the sign reads "Wonder Breasts"

The alleys in and around shinjuku are filled with bars, clubs, pachinko and video stores - generally selling sleazy movies - theres always a busy night life here.

Source : Japan Guide.com