Page 96 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

94  T OK Y O AREA B Y AREA

1 Street-by-Street: East Shinjuku
East Shinjuku
East Shinjuku is where Tokyo plays. The area has been a
nightlife center from Edo times on, when it was the first
night stop on the old Tokaido road to Kyoto. Since Shinjuku
station opened in the 1880s, entertainments have been Seibu-
targeted at commuters (mainly men) en route back to the Shinjuku
suburbs. Amusements are focused in the tiny bars of Golden station
Gai, and in the red-light district of Kabukicho. Daytime
attractions include several art galleries, a tranquil shrine, and
some of Tokyo’s best department stores. A late-afternoon
stroll as the neon starts to light up will take in both sides
of this fascinating, bustling area.

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Toho Cinema Complex A
This block of Kabukicho is dominated
by the large multi­screen Toho West Shinjuku Y A S U K U N I – D O R I
Cinema complex that includes an (see pp96–7)
IMAX theater.
Kabukicho
Pachinko parlors, love hotels,
and host and hostess clubs
flourish in Japan’s night enter­
tainment district, along side
pubs, restaurants, game centers,
karaoke boxes, and coffee shops.
In this area of contrasts, prices
range from ¥500 for a bowl of
noodles to ¥10,000 for a drink. S H I N J U K U – D O R I

Shinjuku
station Yoyogi
(see p97)
Studio Alta Kinokuniya bookstore
Instantly recognizable by its has one of Tokyo’s best
huge TV screen, Studio Alta selections of foreign books.
stands opposite the crossing Key
from Shinjuku station and is
a favorite place for meeting Suggested walk route
up or just hanging out. Train line
For hotels and restaurants see p302 and pp324–6

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