Shinjuku, Tokyo
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
As of October 1, 2005, 29,353 non-Japanese with 107 different nationalities were registered in Shinjuku.
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 in Toyama Park at 44.6 m. The lowest point is 4.2 m near .
Although the area immediately surrounding Shinjuku Station is home to hotels, department stores, specialist electronic and camera shops, cinemas, restaurants, and bars, the rest of the city is a mix of residential with commercial areas concentrated around railway stations.
Notable areas of Shinjuku include:
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 the family name of a daimyo
whose mansion stood in the area; his land is now a public park, the Shinjuku Gyoen.
In 1920, the town of Naitō-Shinjuku that comprised large parts of present-day Shinjuku, parts of Nishi-Shinjuku
and Kabukichō was integrated into Tokyo City
. 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 skyscraper
s.
The Tokyo air raids
from May to August 1945 destroyed almost 90% of the buildings in the area in and around Shinjuku Station. 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.
The present ward was established on March 15, 1947 with the merger of the former wards of Yotsuya, Ushigome, and Yodobashi. It served as part of the athletics
50 km walk and marathon course during the 1964 Summer Olympics
.
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 former site vacated by the government.)
In March 1990 the headquarters of Bandai Visual
moved to the Shinjuku neighborhood in Shinjuku Ward. In August 1991 the headquarters moved to Taitō, Tokyo
. Previously the headquarters of MOS Burger
were in Shinjuku.
, Shinjuku has a status equivalent to that of a city
. The current mayor is Hiroko Nakayama. The consists of 38 elected members; the Liberal Democratic Party
and New Komeitō Party
together currently hold a majority. The Democratic Party of Japan
, Japanese Communist Party
and the Social Democratic Party
are also represented together with four independents. Shinjuku's is located on the southeastern edge of Kabukichō.
Shinjuku is also the location of the metropolitan government of Tokyo. The governor's office, the metropolitan assembly chamber, and all administrative head offices are located in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
.
Shinjuku Station
sees an estimated 3.64 million passengers pass through each day, making it the busiest station in the world. It houses interchanges to three subway lines and three privately owned commuter lines, as well as several JR lines.
Shuto Expressway
:
National highways
:
Other major routes:
.
Lambeth, London, England
Lefkada, Greece Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Dongcheng, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Special wards of Tokyo
The are 23 municipalities that together make up the core and the most populous part of Tokyo, Japan. Together, they occupy the land that was the city of Tokyo before it was abolished in 1943. The special wards' structure was established under the Japanese Local Autonomy Law and is unique to...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Station
is a train station located in Shinjuku and Shibuya wards in Tokyo, Japan.Serving as the main connecting hub for rail traffic between central Tokyo and its western suburbs on inter-city rail, commuter rail and metro lines, the station was used by an average of 3.64 million people per day in 2007,...
) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The , also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole....
, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.
As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 312,418 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 17,140 persons per km². The total area is 18.23 km².
As of October 1, 2005, 29,353 non-Japanese with 107 different nationalities were registered in Shinjuku.
Geography
Surrounding Shinjuku are six other wards: ChiyodaChiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
to the east; Bunkyo
Bunkyo, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Situated in the middle of the ward area, Bunkyō is a residential and educational center. Beginning in the Meiji period, literati like Natsume Sōseki, as well as scholars and politicians have lived there...
and Toshima
Toshima, Tokyo (ward)
is one of the 23 Special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Toshima is one of the eight central wards of the Tokyo Metropolitan area, including Chiyoda, Minato, Shibuya, Chuo, Shinjuku, Taito, and Bunkyo surrounding the Imperial Palace...
to the north; Nakano
Nakano, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Nakano City .As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 311,690 with a household number of 176,936 and a density of 19,992.94 persons per km². The total area is 15.59 km².-Geography:Five special wards...
to the west, and Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
and Minato
Minato, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 1 March 2008, it had an official population of 217,335 and a population density of 10,865 persons per km². The total area is 20.34 km².Minato hosts 49 embassies...
to the south. In addition, Nerima
Nerima, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Nerima City.As of August 1, 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 703,005 , and a density of 14,443 persons per km². 12,897 foreign residents are registered in the ward. 18.4% of the ward's population is over the...
is only a hundred meters away. The highest point in Shinjuku is in Toyama Park at 44.6 m. The lowest point is 4.2 m near .
Neighbourhoods
Notable areas of Shinjuku include:
- IchigayaIchigayaIchigaya is an area in the eastern portion of Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-Places in Ichigaya:*Hosei University Ichigaya Campus*Chuo University Graduate School...
: A commercial area in eastern Shinjuku, site of the Ministry of Defense. - Golden GaiGolden Gaiis a small area of Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, famous both as an area of architectural interest and for its nightlife. It is composed of a network of six narrow alleys, connected by even narrower passageways which are just about wide enough for a single person to pass through...
: An area of tiny shanty-style bars and clubs. Musicians, artists, actors and directors gather here, and the ramshackle walls of the bars are literally plastered with movie posters. - Kabukichō: A red-light district well-known for its bars, restaurants, and sex-related establishments.
- KagurazakaKagurazakais a neighbourhood in Tokyo, near Iidabashi Station. It has a sloping street at its center, lined by numerous cafés and restaurants. It is served by Tokyo Metro Tozai Line and Toei Oedo Line.-History:...
: Once one of Tokyo's last remaining hanamachiHanamachiA hanamachi is a Japanese courtesan and geisha district. The word's literal meaning is "flower street". Such districts would contain various okiya . Nowadays, the term hanamachi is commonly used in modern Japan to refer to the areas where modern-day okiya are still operating. In Kyoto's Gion...
or geishaGeisha, Geiko or Geigi are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.-Terms:...
districts. Sometimes nicknamed "Little Paris," Kagurazaka currently hosts a sizable French community. - Nishi-ShinjukuNishi-shinjukuis a skyscraper business district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. This region was called before.Nishi-Shinjuku was Tokyo's first major foray into building skyscrapers with the first appearing in the 1970s with Keio Plaza Inter-Continental. Kenzo Tange's Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building being the...
: Home to Tokyo's largest concentration of skyscrapers. Several of the tallest buildings in TokyoTallest buildings in TokyoTokyo is the most populated of Japan's 47 prefectures. In Tokyo, there are 46 buildings and structures that stand taller than 180 metres . The tallest structure in the prefecture is Tokyo Sky Tree, a lattice tower that rises 634 metres , which was completed in 2011...
are located in this area, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, KDDI Building and Park TowerShinjuku Park TowerThe is the second-tallest building in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It was designed by Kenzo Tange and completed in 1994. Shinjuku Park Tower has 3 elements; S tower, which is 235 m tall with 52 storeys, C tower which is 209 m tall with 47 storeys and N tower which is 182 m tall with 41 storeys...
. Located west of Shinjuku Station. - Ōkubo: Tokyo's best-known Korean district.
- Shinjuku GyoenShinjuku Gyoenis a large park with an eminent garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally a residence of the Naitō family in the Edo period. Afterwards, it became a garden under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan...
is a large park, 58.3 hectares, 3.5 km in circumference, blending Japanese traditionalJapanese garden, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
, English LandscapeLandscape gardenThe term landscape garden is often used to describe the English garden design style characteristic of the eighteenth century, that swept the Continent replacing the formal Renaissance garden and Garden à la française models. The work of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown is particularly influential.The...
and French Formal style gardens. - Shinjuku Ni-chōmeShinjuku ni-chomeShinjuku Ni-chōme , referred to colloquially as Ni-chōme or simply Nichō, is Area 2 in the Shinjuku District of the Shinjuku Special Ward of Tōkyō, Japan...
: Tokyo's best-known gayGayGay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
district. - TakadanobabaTakadanobabaTakadanobaba is a neighborhood in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-History:Originally, the area's name was read Takatanobaba and many Tokyo residents in their 50s or older pronounce it as such. However, younger Tokyoites and residents who have come from outside Tokyo, use the pronunciation Takadanobaba...
and Waseda: The area between Waseda UniversityWaseda University, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
, one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan, and Takadanobaba StationTakadanobaba Stationis a railway station in the Takadanobaba area of Tokyo's Shinjuku ward. Situated between the commercial districts of Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, it is a minor commuting hub linking the Seibu Shinjuku Line and the Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line with the Yamanote Line.-Lines:...
is a major residential and nightlife area for students. - Yotsuya: An upscale residential and commercial district; the Arakichō area is well-known for its many small restaurants, bars, and izakaya.
History
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, as the outer moat of the Edo Castle
Edo Castle
, also known as , is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan. It is located in Chiyoda in Tokyo, then known as Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate here. It was the residence of the shogun and location of the shogunate, and also...
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
Shukuba
were post stations during the Edo period in Japan, generally located on one of the Edo Five Routes or one of its sub-routes. They were also called shukueki . These post stations were places where travelers could rest on their journey around the nation...
) on the Kōshū Kaidō
Koshu Kaido
The was one of the five routes of the Edo period and it was built to connect Edo with Kai Province in modern-day Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The route continues from there to connect with the Nakasendō's Shimosuwa-shuku in Nagano Prefecture...
, one of the major highways
Kaido
were ancient roads in Japan dating from the Edo period. Major examples include the Edo Five Routes, all of which started at Edo...
of that era. Naitō was the family name of a daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
whose mansion stood in the area; his land is now a public park, the Shinjuku Gyoen.
In 1920, the town of Naitō-Shinjuku that comprised large parts of present-day Shinjuku, parts of Nishi-Shinjuku
Nishi-shinjuku
is a skyscraper business district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. This region was called before.Nishi-Shinjuku was Tokyo's first major foray into building skyscrapers with the first appearing in the 1970s with Keio Plaza Inter-Continental. Kenzo Tange's Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building being the...
and Kabukichō was integrated into Tokyo City
Tokyo City
was a municipality in Japan and part of Tokyo-Fu which existed from May 1, 1889 until its merger with its prefecture on July 1, 1943. The historical boundaries of Tokyo City are now occupied by independent special wards...
. Shinjuku began to develop into its current form after the Great Kantō earthquake
1923 Great Kanto earthquake
The struck the Kantō plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū at 11:58:44 am JST on September 1, 1923. Varied accounts hold that the duration of the earthquake was between 4 and 10 minutes...
in 1923, since the seismically stable area largely escaped the devastation. Consequently, West Shinjuku is one of the few areas in Tokyo with many skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
s.
The Tokyo air raids
Bombing of Tokyo in World War II
The bombing of Tokyo, often referred to as a "firebombing", was conducted by the United States Army Air Forces during the Pacific campaigns of World War II. The U.S. mounted a small-scale raid on Tokyo in April 1942, with large morale effects...
from May to August 1945 destroyed almost 90% of the buildings in the area in and around Shinjuku Station. 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.
The present ward was established on March 15, 1947 with the merger of the former wards of Yotsuya, Ushigome, and Yodobashi. It served as part of the athletics
Athletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics
At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the athletics competition included 36 events, 24 for men and 12 for women. The women's 400 metres and women's pentathlon events were newly introduced at these Games. There were a total number of 1016 participating athletes from 82 countries.-Men's...
50 km walk and marathon course during the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
.
In 1991, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government moved from the Marunouchi
Marunouchi
Marunouchi is a commercial district of Tokyo located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name, meaning "inside the circle", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat...
district of Chiyoda
Chiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
to the current building in Shinjuku. (The Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo International Forum
The is a multi-purpose center in Tokyo, Japan.One of its halls seats 5,000. In addition to seven other halls, it includes exhibition space, a lobby, restaurants, shops, and other facilities....
stands on the former site vacated by the government.)
Economy
Many companies have their headquarters or Tokyo offices in Shinjuku.- Seiko EpsonSeiko Epson, commonly known as Epson, is a Japanese technology company and one of the world's largest manufacturers of computer printers, information and imaging related equipment...
's Tokyo office is in the Shinjuku NS Building in Nishi-ShinjukuNishi-shinjukuis a skyscraper business district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. This region was called before.Nishi-Shinjuku was Tokyo's first major foray into building skyscrapers with the first appearing in the 1970s with Keio Plaza Inter-Continental. Kenzo Tange's Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building being the...
. - AtlusAtlusis a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
has its headquarters in KagurazakaKagurazakais a neighbourhood in Tokyo, near Iidabashi Station. It has a sloping street at its center, lined by numerous cafés and restaurants. It is served by Tokyo Metro Tozai Line and Toei Oedo Line.-History:...
. - Nissin Foods's TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
offices are in Shinjuku. - AirtransseAirtransseis an airline headquartered in the Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. It operates scheduled passenger services. Its main base is Hakodate Airport in Hakodate, with a hub at New Chitose Airport; both are in Hokkaido.- History :...
, a regional airline, has its headquarters near Shinjuku GyoenShinjuku Gyoenis a large park with an eminent garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally a residence of the Naitō family in the Edo period. Afterwards, it became a garden under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan...
. - ShinchoshaShinchoshais a publisher founded in 1896 in Japan and headquartered in Yaraichō, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Shinchosha is one of the sponsors of the Japan Fantasy Novel Award.-Monthly:* ENGINE* Foresight* nicola*Shinchō-External links:*...
has its headquarters in Yaraichō, Shinjuku - FutabashaFutabashais a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-List of magazines published by Futabasha:*Bravo Ski*Comic Seed!*Futabasha Web Magazine*Manga Action ZERO*Tōji Rō*Getter Robot Saga...
has its headquarters in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku - YoshinoyaYoshinoyaYoshinoya is the largest chain of beef bowl restaurants and one of the Japanese chains of fast food, which was established in Japan in 1899. Its motto is "Tasty, low-priced, and quick"...
has its headquarters in the in Shinjuku. - H.I.S.H.I.S.is a travel agency based in the Shinjuku Oak Tower in Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, specializing in low-cost package tours to various countries. The company was founded as International Tours Co., Ltd. in 1980 by Hideo Sawada, born in 1951, and renamed "H.I.S." in 1990.Within Japan H.I.S...
's headquarters is in the Shinjuku Oak Tower in Nishi-ShinjukuNishi-shinjukuis a skyscraper business district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. This region was called before.Nishi-Shinjuku was Tokyo's first major foray into building skyscrapers with the first appearing in the 1970s with Keio Plaza Inter-Continental. Kenzo Tange's Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building being the... - JorudanJorudanis a Japanese video game publisher and developer headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It has been publishing and developing video games since 1991.SNESGD Leen Musya Alien vs Predator Date Kimiko no Virtual Tennis...
has its headquarters in Shinjuku.
In March 1990 the headquarters of Bandai Visual
Bandai Visual
, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
moved to the Shinjuku neighborhood in Shinjuku Ward. In August 1991 the headquarters moved to Taitō, Tokyo
Taito, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Taito City.As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 168,909, with 94,908 households, and a population density of 16,745.86 persons per km². The total area is 10.08 km².-History:The ward was founded...
. Previously the headquarters of MOS Burger
MOS Burger
, doing business as , is a fast-food restaurant chain that originated in Japan. It is now the second-largest fast-food franchise in Japan after McDonald's, and owns numerous overseas outlets over East Asia, including Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and until 2005, Hawaii...
were in Shinjuku.
Government and politics
Like the other wards of TokyoSpecial wards of Tokyo
The are 23 municipalities that together make up the core and the most populous part of Tokyo, Japan. Together, they occupy the land that was the city of Tokyo before it was abolished in 1943. The special wards' structure was established under the Japanese Local Autonomy Law and is unique to...
, Shinjuku has a status equivalent to that of a city
Municipalities of Japan
Japan has three levels of government: national, prefectural, and municipal. The nation is divided into 47 prefectures. Each prefecture consists of numerous municipalities. There are four types of municipalities in Japan: cities, towns, villages and special wards...
. The current mayor is Hiroko Nakayama. The consists of 38 elected members; the Liberal Democratic Party
Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
The , frequently abbreviated to LDP or , is a centre-right political party in Japan. It is one of the most consistently successful political parties in the democratic world. The LDP ruled almost continuously for nearly 54 years from its founding in 1955 until its defeat in the 2009 election...
and New Komeitō Party
New Komeito Party
The , New Kōmei Party, or NKP is a centre-right political party in Japan founded by members of the Nichiren Buddhist organization Sōka Gakkai. The leadership and financing of the two groups are currently independent...
together currently hold a majority. The Democratic Party of Japan
Democratic Party of Japan
The is a political party in Japan founded in 1998 by the merger of several opposition parties. Its socially liberal platform is generally considered center-left in the Japanese political spectrum...
, Japanese Communist Party
Japanese Communist Party
The Japanese Communist Party is a left-wing political party in Japan.The JCP advocates the establishment of a society based on socialism, democracy and peace, and opposition to militarism...
and the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Japan)
The Social Democratic Party The Social Democratic Party The Social Democratic Party (社会民主党 Shakai Minshu-tō, often abbreviated to 社民党 Shamin-tō; also known as the Social Democratic Party of Japan (abbreviated to SDPJ or SDP in English) is a political party that advocates for the establishment of a...
are also represented together with four independents. Shinjuku's is located on the southeastern edge of Kabukichō.
Shinjuku is also the location of the metropolitan government of Tokyo. The governor's office, the metropolitan assembly chamber, and all administrative head offices are located in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The , also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole....
.
Elections
- Shinjuku local election, 2004Shinjuku local election, 2004Shinjuku held an election to the local ward assembly on April 27, 2004-...
- Shinjuku mayoral election, 2006Shinjuku mayoral election, 2006Shinjuku held a mayoral election on November 12, 2006. Hiroko Nakayama, backed by the LDP and New Komeito Party was re-elected. Polling turnout was extremely low, only 26% but still about 1% more than last election. - Sources :...
- Shinjuku local election, 2007Shinjuku local election, 2007Shinjuku, Tokyo held a local election for the city assembly on April 22, 2007 as part of the 16th unified regional elections....
Transportation
Shinjuku is a major urban transit hub. JREast Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Station
is a train station located in Shinjuku and Shibuya wards in Tokyo, Japan.Serving as the main connecting hub for rail traffic between central Tokyo and its western suburbs on inter-city rail, commuter rail and metro lines, the station was used by an average of 3.64 million people per day in 2007,...
sees an estimated 3.64 million passengers pass through each day, making it the busiest station in the world. It houses interchanges to three subway lines and three privately owned commuter lines, as well as several JR lines.
Rail
A list of railway lines passing through and stations located within Shinjuku includes:- JR EastEast Japan Railway Companyis the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
- Yamanote LineYamanote LineThe is commuter rail loop line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo's major stations and urban centres, including the Yūrakuchō/Ginza area, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro, with all but two of its...
: , , Shinjuku - Chūō Line (Rapid)Chuo Line (Rapid)The is the name given to rapid services on the eastern section of the Chūō Main Line operated by the East Japan Railway Company between and stations.-Basic data:*Operator: East Japan Railway Company **Tokyo – Takao:...
, Chūō-Sōbu LineChuo-Sobu LineThe is a railway line located in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company network, it runs on separate tracks along the right-of-way of the Chūō Main Line and Sōbu Main Line , providing service between Mitaka Station in the cities of Mitaka and Musashino and...
: , , Shinjuku, - Saikyō LineSaikyo LineThe is a railway line between Ōsaki Station in Shinagawa, Tokyo, and Ōmiya Station in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is a part of the East Japan Railway Company network...
, Shōnan-Shinjuku LineShonan-Shinjuku LineThe is a passenger railway service in Japan which commenced in December 2001. The line has no dedicated track as services run through shared sections along the Ryōmō Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Yamanote Freight Line, Yokosuka Line, and Tōkaidō Main Line...
: Shinjuku
- Yamanote Line
- Tokyo MetroTokyo Metrois one of two rapid transit systems making up the Tokyo subway system, the other being Toei. It is the most used subway system in the world in terms of annual passenger rides.-Organization:...
- Marunouchi Line: Yotsuya, , , , Shinjuku,
- Yūrakuchō LineTokyo Metro Yurakucho LineThe is a subway line owned and operated by Tokyo Metro. The line connects Wakōshi Station in Wakō, Saitama and Shin-Kiba Station in Kōtō, Tokyo. On maps, diagrams and signboards, the line is shown using the color "gold" , and its stations are given numbers using the letter Y.The proper name as...
: Ichigaya, - Tōzai LineTokyo Metro Tozai LineThe is a rapid transit line owned and operated by Tokyo Metro located in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Its name literally means East-West Line. The line runs between Nakano Station in Nakano, Tokyo and Nishi-Funabashi Station in Funabashi, Chiba...
: , , Takadanobaba, - Fukutoshin Line: , , Shinjuku-sanchōme
- Namboku LineTokyo Metro Namboku LineThe is a subway line owned and operated by Tokyo Metro in Tokyo, Japan. Its name literally means South-North Line. The line runs between Meguro in Shinagawa and Akabane-Iwabuchi in Kita...
: Iidabashi, Ichigaya, Yotsuya
- Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of TransportationTokyo Metropolitan Bureau of TransportationThe is Tokyo's public transportation authority. Its subway lines are commonly described as 都営 Toei, meaning "operated by the metropolitan government ." It is one of two rapid transit systems making up the Tokyo subway system, the other being Tokyo Metro.-Toei Subway:The lines were originally...
- Toei Shinjuku LineToei Shinjuku LineThe is a subway line in Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture, Japan, operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation . The line runs between Motoyawata Station in Ichikawa, Chiba in the east and Shinjuku Station in the west...
: , Shinjuku-sanchōme, Shinjuku - Toei Ōedo LineToei Oedo LineThe is a subway line in Tokyo, Japan operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation . It commenced full operations on December 12, 2000; using the Japanese calendar this reads "12/12/12" as the year 2000 equals Heisei 12...
: , , , , , , , , Higashi-Shinjuku, - Toden Arakawa LineToden Arakawa LineThe is a streetcar line in Tokyo, Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation operates this line. The Arakawa Line is the sole survivor of Tokyo's once-extensive Tokyo Toden streetcar system, but it is not the only tram line in Tokyo, as the privately owned Tōkyū Setagaya Line is also...
: Omokagebashi, Waseda
- Toei Shinjuku Line
- Odakyū Electric RailwayOdakyu Electric Railway, or OER, is a major railway company based in Tokyo, Japan best known for its Romancecar series of limited express trains from Tokyo to Odawara, Enoshima, Tama New Town, and Hakone....
Odawara Line: Shinjuku - Keio Corporation Keiō Line, Keiō New LineKeio New LineThe is a 3.6 km link which connects Keio Corporation's Keiō Line from Sasazuka Station in Shibuya to Shinjuku Station with through service on to the Shinjuku Line of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation.-Synopsis:...
: Shinjuku - Seibu RailwaySeibu Railwayis a conglomerate based in Tokorozawa, Japan, with principal business areas in railways, tourism and real estate. Seibu Railway's operations are concentrated in northwest Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture; the name "Seibu" is an abbreviation of "west Musashi," referring to the historic name for this area...
Seibu Shinjuku Line: , Takadanobaba, , Nakai
Roads
Shuto Expressway
is a network of toll expressways in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is operated and maintained by the .Most routes consist of elevated roadway above other roads or over water, and have many sharp curves which require caution to drive safely...
:
- No.4 Shinjuku Route (Miyakezaka JCT - Takaido)
- No.5 Ikebukuro Route (Takebashi JCT - Bijogi JCT)
National highways
National highways of Japan
Japan has a nationwide system of distinct from the expressways. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other government agencies administer the national highways. Beginning in 1952, Japan classified these as Class 1 or Class 2. Class 1 highways had one- or two-digit numbers, while...
:
- National Route 20Route 20 (Japan)National Route 20 is a national highway connecting Tokyo and Shiojiri, Nagano prefecture in Japan. Originating at Nihonbashi in Chūō, Tokyo, it passes through Shinjuku and four other wards, and then seven cities, including Hachiōji in Tokyo. It follows a westward route into Kanagawa Prefecture,...
(Shinjuku-dōri, Kōshū-kaidō)
Other major routes:
- Tokyo Metropolitan Route 8 (Mejiro-dōri, Shin-Mejiro-dōri)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Route 302 (Yasukuni-dōri, Ōme-kaidō)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Route 305 (Meiji-dōri)
Colleges and universities
- Chuo UniversityChuo UniversityChuo University is a one of the Japanese leading universities. Thus it is competitive in several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 27th, 25th, 34th during 2008-2010 respectively in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai.-Research...
graduate school - Gakushuin Women's CollegeGakushuin Women's Collegeis a private women's college in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan; part of the Gakushūin School Corporation . The predecessor of the school was founded in 1847 by Emperor Ninkō. It was chartered as a junior college in 1949 and became a four-year college in 1995....
- Japan Electronics College
- Keio UniversityKeio University,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
Medical College - Kogakuin UniversityKogakuin Universityis a private university in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.The predecessor of the school initially named "Koshu Gattuko" which is one of the oldest private engineering schools in Japan, was founded in 1887 by educator and politician, The President of Tokyo Imperial University's President Koki Watanabe and...
- Lakeland College Japan
- Mejiro UniversityMejiro Universityis a private university in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded 1918 in Kumamoto, Kumamoto. It was chartered as a women's junior college in 1963. In 1994 it opened as a four-year college. The school also has facilities in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture.-External links:* ...
- Tokyo Fuji UniversityTokyo Fuji Universityis a private university in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1943. It was chartered as a junior college in 1951 and became a four-year college in 2002.In 2008 the Department of Psychology was established....
- Tokyo Medical UniversityTokyo Medical Universitythumb|180px|right|Tokyo Medical University is one of the established medical schools in Japan before the war. In accordance with the nation’s policy for medical education, this private university has a 6-year medical school curriculum that offers preclinical and clinical studies to confer with a...
- Tokyo University of ScienceTokyo University of ScienceTokyo University of Science is a private university of science and technology in Japan...
- Tokyo Women's Medical University
- Waseda UniversityWaseda University, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
Schools
Public elementary and junior high schools in Shinjuku are operated by the Shinjuku City Board of Education. Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of EducationTokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education is the board of education in Tokyo, Japan. The board manages the individual school systems within the metropolis. The board also directly manages all of the public high schools in Tokyo...
.
- Koishikawa Technical High School
- Ichigaya Commercial High School
- Shinjuku High School
- Shinjuku Yamabuki High SchoolShinjuku Yamabuki High Schoolis located in Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Shinjuku Yamabuki has Japan's most famous no class credit system and Information Technology course of high school. Shinjuku Yamabuki is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education....
- Toyama High School
Public institutions
Libraries
Shinjuku operates several public libraries, including the Central Library (with the Children's Library), the Yotsuya Library, the Tsurumaki Library, Tsunohazu Library, the Nishi-Ochiai Library, the Toyama Library, the Kita-Shinjuku Library, the Okubo Library, and the Nakamachi Library. In addition there is a branch library, Branch Library of Central Library in the City Office, located in the city office.Hospitals
There are several major hospitals located within the city limits.- Keio University Hospital
- International Medical Center of Japan
- Social Insurance Chūō General Hospital
- Tokyo Medical University Hospital
- Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital
- Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Treatment Corporation Ohkubo Hospital
Museums
- National Printing Bureau Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum
- National Museum of Nature and Science, Shinjuku Branch
- Shinjuku Historical Museum
- Tokyo Fire Department Museum
Halls
- Tokyo Opera City
- Shinjuku Bunka Center
- WelCity Tokyo
- Meiji Yasuda Life Hall
- Shinjuku Koma TheaterShinjuku Koma TheaterThe was a major theatre in the Kabukichō, Shinjuku, Tokyo. The theatre opened in 1956 and it had a capacity of 2,088 seats.- Past shows :*Kōhaku Uta Gassen *Saburō Kitajima*Ken Matsudaira*Hibari Misora*Kiyoshi Hikawa*Sachiko Kobayashi...
Sightseeing
Shinjuku is home to many well-known sights and tourist attractions.- Shinjuku GyoenShinjuku Gyoenis a large park with an eminent garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally a residence of the Naitō family in the Edo period. Afterwards, it became a garden under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan...
- Shinjuku Central ParkShinjuku Central ParkShinjuku Central Park is a small green area located in western Shinjuku, Nishi-Shinjuku, 2-chome, Tokyo, Japan. The park is bordered by Honnnan Dori or Kita Dori to the north, Junisha Dori to the west, Suido Dori or Minami Dori to the south, and Koen Dori to the east...
(Shinjuku Chūō Kōen) - Tokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingTokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingThe , also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole....
(designed by renowned architect Kenzo TangeKenzo Tangewas a Japanese architect, and winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture. He was one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, combining traditional Japanese styles with modernism, and designed major buildings on five continents. Tange was also an influential protagonist of...
) - Park Hyatt Tokyo and Park Tower (featured in the film Lost in TranslationLost in Translation (film)Lost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
) - Waseda UniversityWaseda University, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
's ŌkumaOkuma ShigenobuMarquis ; was a statesman in the Empire of Japan and the 8th and 17th Prime Minister of Japan...
Auditorium - Waseda El DoradoWaseda El DoradoWaseda El Dorado, also known as Rhythms of Vision, is a building designed by the Japanese architect Von Jour Caux and built in August, 1983. It is located near the Waseda University campus in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan....
building - Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens and the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery
Sister cities
Shinjuku has sister city agreements with several localities:Lambeth, London, England
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
Lefkada, Greece Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Mitte
Mitte is the first and most central borough of Berlin. It was created in Berlin's 2001 administrative reform by the merger of the former districts of Mitte proper, Tiergarten and Wedding; the resulting borough retained the name Mitte. It is one of the two boroughs which comprises former West and...
Dongcheng, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Dongcheng District is an urban district in Beijing covering the eastern half of Beijing's urban core. It is 24.7 square kilometres in area and has a population of 535,558 . Dongcheng District covers several important parts of Beijing...
External links
- Shinjuku City official website
- Shinjuku City official website
- Shinjuku Architecture and Map