Tokyo, The Ginza or Shinjuku.
May 13th, 2007, 08:26 PM
#2
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copied from a previous post:
Let me offer this favorable opinion on my favorite neighborhood, Shinjuku.
Shinjuku offers what a lot of other neighborhoods in Tokyo cannot, a little of everything.
Shinjuku, being one of the biggest and most diverse areas in Tokyo, can offer you, Shinjuku West, which is located out the west exit of the Shinjuku train station (which is Tokyo’s busiest) home to the financial district of West Tokyo with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at it’s center. You can go up to the top of two of the towers here for free and have spectacular views of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see all the way to Yokohama and have picture perfect shots of Mt. Fuji that we enjoyed on our April visit this spring. Two of the hotels that we have used on our visits to Shinjuku are located in this area, The Keio Plaza Hotel and The Century Hyatt Hotel.
Right above the train station is where the major shopping area is. Shinjuku is a paradise for shoppers. It has more department stores than anywhere else in Japan. The most famous are Takashimaya-Times Square, Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Marui, My City and Odakyu.
Shinjuku boasts the biggest camera shops, such as Sakuraya, Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. Only Akibara(sp) has bigger.
Music lovers will find their happiness at Tower Records and HMV.
Out the east exit of the station will take you to the Kabuki cho district which is entertainment district par excellence and one of the hottest places in Tokyo, with hostess bars, adult video shops, soap lands (massage parlors), strip bars and love hotels
And of course my favorite part of Shinjuku the Takadanobada District with all of it’s cute, quaint, shops and restaurants which remind me of a time in the past.
Here are some links to hotels we have enjoyed in Shinjuku
http://www.keioplaza.com/index.html
http://digbig.com/4nkhf
hope this helps!
Aloha!
Let me offer this favorable opinion on my favorite neighborhood, Shinjuku.
Shinjuku offers what a lot of other neighborhoods in Tokyo cannot, a little of everything.
Shinjuku, being one of the biggest and most diverse areas in Tokyo, can offer you, Shinjuku West, which is located out the west exit of the Shinjuku train station (which is Tokyo’s busiest) home to the financial district of West Tokyo with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at it’s center. You can go up to the top of two of the towers here for free and have spectacular views of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see all the way to Yokohama and have picture perfect shots of Mt. Fuji that we enjoyed on our April visit this spring. Two of the hotels that we have used on our visits to Shinjuku are located in this area, The Keio Plaza Hotel and The Century Hyatt Hotel.
Right above the train station is where the major shopping area is. Shinjuku is a paradise for shoppers. It has more department stores than anywhere else in Japan. The most famous are Takashimaya-Times Square, Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Marui, My City and Odakyu.
Shinjuku boasts the biggest camera shops, such as Sakuraya, Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. Only Akibara(sp) has bigger.
Music lovers will find their happiness at Tower Records and HMV.
Out the east exit of the station will take you to the Kabuki cho district which is entertainment district par excellence and one of the hottest places in Tokyo, with hostess bars, adult video shops, soap lands (massage parlors), strip bars and love hotels
And of course my favorite part of Shinjuku the Takadanobada District with all of it’s cute, quaint, shops and restaurants which remind me of a time in the past.
Here are some links to hotels we have enjoyed in Shinjuku
http://www.keioplaza.com/index.html
http://digbig.com/4nkhf
hope this helps!
Aloha!
May 14th, 2007, 04:03 AM
#4
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Hi
My wife and I stayed in the Akasaka district. From here we could reach Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya within a few minutes on the subway. Here is my Tokyo trip report with pictures and links: http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_tokyo.htm
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
My wife and I stayed in the Akasaka district. From here we could reach Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya within a few minutes on the subway. Here is my Tokyo trip report with pictures and links: http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_tokyo.htm
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
May 14th, 2007, 06:13 AM
#5
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I think the choice really depends on what your activity plans are, as both locations have pros/cons.
Shinjuku is a VERY busy area, with many high-rise office buildings (esp west side), department stores. You need to check how close the hotels would be. Eastern side seems to appeal to young people with many bars/cafes and what seems to be karaoke clubs or some kinds of game arcade.
Ginza is somewhat more genteel, less imposing high-rise buildings but department stores and shopping on high streets. Lots of western boutiques, like LVMH, Tiffany and Gucci. Though prices for restaurants and shopping are more expensive.
Both areas are convenient with multiple subway lines. Shinjuku is good if you're planning to go to Hakone (direct train on Odakyu), but Ginza is more convenient to Tokyo Station (or Shinjuku) for taking the bullet train to kyoto.
Shinjuku is a VERY busy area, with many high-rise office buildings (esp west side), department stores. You need to check how close the hotels would be. Eastern side seems to appeal to young people with many bars/cafes and what seems to be karaoke clubs or some kinds of game arcade.
Ginza is somewhat more genteel, less imposing high-rise buildings but department stores and shopping on high streets. Lots of western boutiques, like LVMH, Tiffany and Gucci. Though prices for restaurants and shopping are more expensive.
Both areas are convenient with multiple subway lines. Shinjuku is good if you're planning to go to Hakone (direct train on Odakyu), but Ginza is more convenient to Tokyo Station (or Shinjuku) for taking the bullet train to kyoto.
May 27th, 2007, 04:12 PM
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I've stayed at the Keio Plaza. It's very nice and the rooms are a good size. The Limo Bus stops at this hotel. It's right across the street from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and it's free observatory, with spectacular views at night. One thing to note is that it is a good walking distance away from Shinjuku Station. However it is close to Tochomae subway station on the Oedo Line.
Since you mentioned 2 teenaged girls, Shinjuku Station is just a short two stops from Harajuku and three from Shibuya - they'll love these two areas which are popular with the younger crowd. Ginza on the other hand is more upscale.
Personally, between Shinjuku and Ginza, I think Shinjuku is the better location.
Since you mentioned 2 teenaged girls, Shinjuku Station is just a short two stops from Harajuku and three from Shibuya - they'll love these two areas which are popular with the younger crowd. Ginza on the other hand is more upscale.
Personally, between Shinjuku and Ginza, I think Shinjuku is the better location.
May 27th, 2007, 11:05 PM
#9
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like hawaiiantraveler, i also like shinjuku very much. the shinjuku station alone is a spectacle, especially right after 5pm when office people get off work. I wandered around the station for hours because it was huge. it's an underground city, with supermarket, restaurants, and shops.
May 30th, 2007, 07:08 AM
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I have to agree with the others. I had a number of interesting hours wandering around the Shinjuku area before going back to the Shinjuku subway station. The Ginza I found rather bland and high priced.
