Shinjuku, Tokyo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Shinjuku (disambiguation).
Shinjuku
新宿区
Location of Shinjuku
Shinjuku's location in Tokyo, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tokyo
Physical characteristics
Area 18.23 km² (7.04 sq mi)
Population (as of 2008)
     Total 312,418
     Density 17,140 /km² (44,392 /sq mi)
Location 35°42′02″N 139°42′54″E / 35.70056, 139.715Coordinates: 35°42′02″N 139°42′54″E / 35.70056, 139.715
Symbols
Tree Zelkova serrata
Flower Azalea
Symbol of Shinjuku
Flag
Shinjuku Government Office
Mayor Hiroko Nakayama
Phone number 03-3209-1111
Official website: Shinjuku

Shinjuku (新宿区 Shinjuku-ku?) is one of the 23 Special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.

Surrounding Shinjuku Station are department stores, specialist electronic and camera shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars. Many international hotels are located here.

As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 312,418 and a density of 17,140 persons per km². The total area is 18.23 km².[1]

Shinjuku has the highest numbers of registered foreign nationals of any community in Tokyo. As of October 1, 2005, 29,353 people with 107 nationalities were registered in Shinjuku.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Skyscrapers Shinjuku
Skyscrapers Shinjuku

Surrounding Shinjuku are six other wards: Chiyoda to the east; Bunkyo and Toshima to the north; Nakano to the west, and Shibuya and Minato to the south. In addition, Nerima is only a hundred meters away. The highest point in Shinjuku is Hakone Hill, 44.6 m, in Toyama Park east of Takadanobaba and Shin-Okubo stations. The lowest point is 4.2 m in the Iidabashi area.

Shinjuku at night.
Shinjuku at night.
Shinjuku at night.
Shinjuku at night.
Street level in Shinjuku
Street level in Shinjuku

Places in Shinjuku include

[edit] History

In 1634, during the Edo period, as the outer moat of the Edo Castle was built, a number of temples and shrines moved to the Yotsuya area on the western edge of Shinjuku. In 1698, Naitō Shinjuku had developed as a new (shin) station (shuku or juku) on the Kōshū Kaidō, one of the major highways of that era. Naitō was a daimyo whose mansion stood in the area; his land is now a public park, the Shinjuku Gyoen.

Shinjuku began to develop into its current form after the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923, since the seismically stable area largely escaped the devastation. Consequently, West Shinjuku is one of the few areas in Tokyo with many skyscrapers.

The Tokyo air raids from May to August 1945 destroyed almost 90% of the buildings in the area in and around Shinjuku Station. [1] The pre-war form of Shinjuku, and the rest of Tokyo, for that matter, was retained after the war because the roads and rails, damaged as they were, remained, and these formed the heart of the Shinjuku in the post-war construction. Only in Kabuki-cho was a grand reconstruction plan put into action. (Ichikawa, 2003)

The present ward was established on March 15, 1947, with the merger of the former wards of Yotsuya, Ushigome, and Yodobashi.

In 1991, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government moved from the Marunouchi district of Chiyoda to the current building in Shinjuku. (The Tokyo International Forum stands on the site vacated by the government.)

[edit] Government and politics

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Like the other wards of Tokyo, Shinjuku has a status equivalent to a city. As of 2005, the mayor is Hiroko Nakayama. The kugikai (ward council) consists of 38 elected members. The Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party currently forms government. Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party are also represented together with 4 independents. Its kuyakusho (ward headquarters) is at 1-4-1 Kabukicho.

Shinjuku is also the location of the metropolitan government of Tokyo. The governor's office, the assembly, and with all political offices are located at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

[edit] Elections

[edit] Transportation

Further information: Transportation in Greater Tokyo

Shinjuku is a major urban transit hub. JR Shinjuku Station sees an estimated 3.52 million passengers pass through each day, making it the busiest station in the world. It houses interchanges to three subway lines and two privately owned commuter lines, as well as the JR lines.

[edit] Rail

[edit] Highways

[edit] Education

[edit] Colleges and universities

[edit] Schools

Public elementary and junior high schools in Shinjuku are operated by the Shinjuku Ward Board of Education. Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.

[edit] Sight Seeing

One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Shinjuku. Shinjuku may have a reputation as ‘an urban area,’ but it is certainly not without a garden. Shinjuku-gyoen is an oasis within skyscrapers, and one can enjoy its beauty throughout the four seasons, although the cherry blossom season is considered a special event. Its 100th anniversary of founding was in 2006.

This is a big park neighboring the skyscrapers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This park provides a place for businessmen to have a break during their busy weekdays, and for children to play on weekends.

  • Tokyo Tochō (The Tokyo Metropolitan Government)

Since 1991, Tokyo Tochō, by renowned architect Tange Kenzo, has been a symbol of Shinjuku. It has a public observation room on the 45th floor, which is 202 meters high. From here, one can see the Diet Building and Tokyo Tower, and weather permitting, Mount Fuji.

  • Kyu Ogasawara tei (The Ogasawara House)

This is a Spanish style house built for Earl Ogasawara in 1927. This European style building is now used as a restaurant run by a private enterprise.

Bar district, composed of tiny shanty-style (formerly brothels) bars and clubs known for the artistic quality of its patrons. Musicians, artists, actors and directors are known to gather here, and the 50+ ramshackle 5-10 seat bars each has a different theme.

  • Park Hyatt Tokyo & Park Tower

Featured in the film "Lost in Translation", the Park Hyatt offers views of the surrounding area and Mt. Fuji from its Peak Lounge and New York Grill.

  • Kabukicho

Redlight district of Shinjuku. One of the main red light districts in Tokyo.

  • Shomben Yokocho "Piss Alley"

A collection small ramshackle yaki-tori and noodle shops located on the west side of the train tracks at the South of Shinjuku Station.

  • Waseda daigaku ‘Okuma kodo’ (Waseda university 'Okuma auditoriums')

This is a symbol of the Waseda university and a landmark for people around the university.

  • Meiji Jingu Shoutoku kinen kaigakan (The Shotoku anniversary museum in the Outer Gardens of Meiji Shrine)

This is the most outstanding and magnificent building in the Outer Gardens of Meiji Shrine. A straight long avenue beginning at the front of the museum becomes golden with the leaves colour in autumn. The Outer Gardens of Meiji Shrine were selected as one of 100 most beautiful places in Tokyo.

  • Shopping

Keio Department Store 0101 Department Store Time Square

[edit] People

[edit] Sister cities

Shinjuku has friendship-city arrangements with three overseas localities[6]: Lefkada in Greece; Mitte in Berlin, Germany; and Dongcheng District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

[edit] References

  • Shinjuku Ward Office, History of Shinjuku
  • Hiroo Ichikawa "Reconstructing Tokyo: The Attempt to Transform a Metropolis" in C. Hein, J.M. Diefendorf, and I. Yorifusa (Eds.) (2003). Building Urban Japan after 1945. New York: Palgrave.

[edit] External links

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