What to Expect in Shinjuku

If you’re wondering where to stay when traveling in Tokyo, Shinjuku might be a good place to start. Shinjuku is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo and is considered the metropolis’ second center (fukutoshin). Shinjuku is the large area surrounding Japan’s busiest railway station; the station is comprised of about a dozen railway and subway lines and is also one of Tokyo’s major stops for long-distance highway and city buses. This makes Shinjuku a good play to stay in for a “gaijin”, a foreigner. Going around Tokyo becomes so convenient because of the several transport options available.

The area surrounding Shinjuku station is already a huge commercial, business, and entertainment center. Its latest addition, the Southern Terrace, offers an amazing view of the Takashimaya department store and is also a good spot for just laying around and watches the numerous trains move in and out of Shinjuku.

Also found in Shinjuku are Tokyo’s skyscrapers and Japan’s largest and most extravagant red light district. The skyscraper district is located to the west of Shinjuku station and includes several of Tokyo’s tallest buildings of popular hotels and business centers. To the northeast of the station, on the other hand, lies Kabukicho, a huge red light district comprising of a good number of bars, restaurants, motels, and several red light establishments.

There are also several family-friendly tourist spots found in Shinjuku. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center is a twin tower standing over 200m high, containing the offices and assembly halls of Tokyo’s metropolitan government. It is a popular tourist attraction because of its observatories on the 45^th floor of each building, which gives just about the best views of Tokyo.

Shinjuku Gyoen is the place to visit on a slow day. Although technically in Japan, there is no such thing as a slow day as the Japanese are known to always make the most of their time. Shinjuku Gyoen is Tokyo’s own version of New York’s Central Park. It is just a ten-minute walk from the JR Shinjuku station and comprises of a Japanese and English garden, a Taiwanese tea house, and a botanical conservatory. It is also the best place to go to in the Spring when it’s time for the world-famous cherry blossoms to bloom.

Tokyo Opera City is a must-see for art enthusiasts and curious gaijins. It is a skyscraper with some interesting tenants, such as Microsoft and Apple. Most of the floors of the building are filled with office spaces while the lower floors house a shopping center and an art museum, which never runs out of interesting multimedia exhibits. It also houses the New National Theatre, Japan’s national center for the performing arts.

These are just some of the places and experiences Shinjuku can offer. Of course, one has to see these places and experience life at Shinjuku first-hand to truly become a believer.

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Tags: shinjuku, tokyo tourism, touring in tokyo, where to stay in tokyo

Planning for the Right Hotel Accommodation

Going on a vacation should be relaxing. With the right hotel accommodation, one can ensure that their day’s rest would go on pleasantly after a long day of activities. Thus, it is crucial to make prior planning so that you stay the accommodation will be of satisfaction.

You would first want to form a budget evaluation. This way, you can eliminate options that are beyond your budget. Remember that although you may have set enough money for the place itself, there is that possibility that you will need some extra money to spend on other necessities or wants during the vacation. There may be some additional costs there, so you would need to allocate a budget for them as well.

Another thing that you would need to consider would be the location. You might have plans in your mind of places you might want to visit, so finding an accommodation near those places, or is easy to access to transports that go there would be important. With the right location, you will be able to minimize the chances of getting lost, hence, save on transportation fees.

Once you have decided on a budget and a location, make use of booking engines to find out for details that may influence your decisions. Booking engines are really great as they have a compilation of ratings, list of amenities, prices, and locations available. They usually also provide maps to help you find the way there. This way, you can compare the accessibility of the hotels to the destinations that you are planning to visit. You are also able to access the hotel’s Web site should you want to know more about them.

While you may have a rough idea of which hotel you might want to stay at, do check forums on the hotel as people might have written reviews of their stay there. Based on their reviews, you can mentally prepare yourself for what to expect, so that you will not be caught surprised and be unsettled throughout your vacation.

Lastly, make your booking for the hotel accommodation, and reconfirm its booking. You would not want to end up having to find a place to stay in an unfamiliar place.