Shinjuku, Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building #1 not only has one of the best views of Tokyo, but it is free! The twin towers have an observation room at the top that gives a 360 degree view of the Tokyo area with nothing to block the view but the adjacent tower. It can't get any better than that. They say that on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji, but we didn't have such luck. But even on a rainy day the view is great.

There is, of course, a gift shop here, and also a bar/cafe. We stopped to relax for a drink, which was worth it for us after a long day of walking in Tokyo. But other than that, it is one of the best free sites in Tokyo.

Shinjuku is one of the busiest stations in Tokyo. Subway lines and JR lines meet at Shinjuku ferrying loads of passengers to their destination. During rush hours, you can see some people pushers trying to pack as many passengers into each carriage. There are now female carriages to avoid ladies being taken advantages of during peak hours. It is worth an one time experience being shove into the train before the door closes.

You can walk about one kilometers underground with clear directions sign to find your way around the station. The west exit will lead to the Metropolitan Government Offices. The East exit will lead to My City building and Kabukicho area.

Shinjuku Station is massive! You walk around the inside of it and feel like you're in an airport!
Once outside the station you will find the Shinjuku Station crossing where 2 million cross the road everyday! It's a really big place with heaps of shops and a big Starbucks over the road. It as to been seen to be believed!

You should not have any problem buying alcohol in this area, or any other for that matter. Bars are located all over Tokyo and most restuarants have it available as well. One thing about the bars however, there are some that are like member only. Clientelle bring in their own bottles and the bars keep them at the bar for the customers. Almost exclusively Japanese and VERY spendy. There are also vending machines on the streets that have sake.
Enjoy!

I think Pachinko is like going to Las Vegas: putting metal balls into the machine to gain more balls and then exchange them for prizes. But if you want money, exchange your metal balls for vouchers and then go to small exchange center generaly located outside the pachinko to get your cash, as in Japan gambling is illegal. Good luck!

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My goal, when emerging from the Shinjuku subway station, was to find the Metropolitan Government Building and take the elevator to the observation deck (it free). But I was immediately lost above ground. I had to go back underground to get my bearings. I consulted my books and soon realized that it is absolutely vital to exit the station correctly. I had mistakenly assumed that one could take any exit and find landmarks above ground. At some stations this may be true, but not Shinjuku, considered the busiest station in Tokyo. One side of the station is completely different from the other – by different I mean different cities.

The west side is a city of towering modern office buildings and the municipal buildings I was looking for.

The east side is a city of wild chaotic shopping, giant outdoor video screens, all night entertainment, and thriving sex establishments.

Spend time on each side.

I've never seen so many people walking side to side wearing exactly the same business suit in my life.. My boyfriend and I felt like sore thumbs sticking out of the crowd, but it might've been because we decided to walk around this business district during rush hour! It was "human" rush hour traffic and we we're in the middle of it! I had a lot of fun there people watching that night.

The 45th-floor obervatories in Tokyo's own Twin Towers is a great place to just take in the sheer sprawl of Tokyo. Granted it's usually quite hazy but still quite breath-taking. Unless it's particularly bad you should also see Mount Fuji.

There is an observatory in each tower, take your pick. I think it must be even more impressive at night.

Opening Hours 9.30am-11pm