Shinjuku is a major commercial area representing Tokyo with Shinjuku station known as the busiest station in Japan.
There are many high-rise buildings near the west gate of Shinjuku station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is located in this area. Many shoppers and visitors from overseas can enjoy shopping at some major department stores and electronics retail stores.
Common area for young people to go out. Kabukicho on the east side is an entertainment and major downtown area in Shinjuku.
The Miraina Tower which included shopping center NEWoman and Busta Shinjuku (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal) became a new landmark of Shinjuku.
It's very hard to reach your destination in Shinjuku area if you use the wrong exit. We really recommend you to check the convenient exit for your destination in advance.
If you turn right in the underground passage from the JR west gate, the passage directly connects to some main buildings such as Shinjuku Mitsui bldg, Sumitomo Shinjuku bldg, Hotel Century Hyatt etc. Even though some of those buildings have slopes, they don't have automatic doors and we recommend you to enter from the ground level. For access to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office, please pass the Plazanard which connects to the north side of Keio Plaza Hotel (available from 6:00 to 23:00), then you can enter from the west entrance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office. Non-step buses are also available from JR west gate.
The underground passage connects with the Keio Department store and Odakyu department store. You can go up to the ground level if you use the elevator there. Also if you use the elevator in the Subaru bldg, you can go to Shinjuku's skyscraper district, but please be careful during rush hours, around 9:00A.M. or 17:00P.M., because it is extremely crowded with commuters. If you use the Toei line in Shinjuku, exit 5 is the better way.
Please click here for detail information.
Ikebukuro is one of the sub centers of Tokyo alongside Shinjuku and Shibuya.
Seibu department store is in the east and Tobu department store to the West.
The station guide of Ikebukuro Station is here