③South-East direction
9 Shinjuku Gyoen
Introduction
This park, the precious green oasis in Tokyo, has the area of 58.3 ha, and the perimeter of 3.5 km. There are many small gardens inside, where visitors can enjoy many plants and flowers all the year round.
Route
It is a 10-minute walk from the south exit of Shinjuku station on JR, Keio, and Odakyu lines.
About the park
The residence of a former local general of Shinshu, currently Nagano prefecture, was turned into experimental agricultural station, then into emperor's land, and finally into a public park of today. The eminent park possesses traditional Japanese garden, French garden, English garden etc.
10 JR East Building
Introduction
This 150-meter-high building with 28 stories above ground was built when the redevelopment took place in the area around the south exit of Shinjuku station. Odakyu Southern Tower and Shinjuku Southern Terrace were built at a simultaneous period.
Route
It is a 5-minute walk from the south exit called "Shin-Minamiguchi" of JR Shinjuku station.
About the building
There is no observation deck, etc. for public visit. During Christmas season, an illumination of "Suica Penguin," a mascot character of JR, in its plaza entertains passers-by.
11 KDDI Building
Introduction
Among the high-rise buildings in Shinjuku, this building has adopted the most low-key external design. Its simple rectangular shape is the result of anti-earthquake structure. It has 3-story basement and 32 stories above ground, and is 164 meters high.
Route
It is a 5-minute walk from the west exit of JR Shinjuku station.
About the building
This was the central part of the former KDDI telephone company. Since the building contains very important communication infrastructure, it was designed to withstand big earthquakes which may be up to 10 times greater than the Great Kanto Earthquake.
Architects
Muto Kozo Rikigaku Kenkyusho, led by Kiyoshi Muto who is famous for structural vibration analysis, participated in the designing.
12 Imperial Palace
Introduction
This palace, with emperor's living quarter and other buildings, is the largest green space in Tokyo. Some parts of the land, including the Higashi-gyoen, are open to public.
Route
After 8-minute train ride from Shinjuku to Kudanshita station on subway Shinjuku line, transfer to Metro Tozai line and get off at Takebashi station. It is another 6-minute walk.
About the palace
Imperial Palace is probably the only place where the wild nature has been preserved in Tokyo; it is the sanctuary for many plants and animals that have already become extinct in the city. Therefore, National Museum of Nature and Science investigates the palace every year.
Architects
It was initially Edo castle of Tokugawa family.
13 NTT DOCOMO Yoyogi Building
Introduction
This building is a landmark with a clock tower in South Shinjuku area. With 3-story basement and 27 stories above ground, it is 240-meter high.
Route
It is a 5-minute walk from the south exit, called Shin-Minami guchi, of JR Shinjuku station, or a 2-minute walk from JR Yoyogi station.
About the building
The clock at 150 meters above the ground is 15 meters in diameter. It can be seen from anywhere in Shinjuku area. The building is for NTT Docomo use only, not open to public. Antennas for cell phone etc. are concentrated on the upper floors.
14 National Stadium
Introduction
This is the main venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This area has been home to a number of sports facilities, including the former Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium (1924-1956), and the current Jingu Baseball Stadium, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium, and National Kasumigaoka Sports Ground.
Route
Get off the train at Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line.
About the stadium
It was erected on what was the site of the former National Stadium, the opening ceremony venue for the Tokyo 1964. This construction commenced December 2016 and completed November 2019, and it is based on the concept of "shrine grove stadium" in harmony with the surrounding greenery.
15 Tokyo Tower
*Not currently on show.
Introduction
This tower is 333 meters high. It has two-storied observatory at 150 meters and a special observation deck at 250 meters above ground where visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of Tokyo and the vicinity. Its official name is “Japan Radio Tower.“
The north-west direction is not currently visible from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s observatory due to the construction of a new skyscraper.
Route
After a 24-minute train ride from Tochomae on Subway Oedo-line, get off at Akabanebashi station and it is a 7-minute walk from there.
About the tower
This overwhelming tower has appeared in many songs, books, and movies since its birth. It was planned for the consolidation of towers of broadcasting stations. In 2006, the cumulative number of visitors exceeded 150,000,000. And the year of 2008 was its 50th anniversary.
Architects・Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings seen from Tokyo Tower.
It was designed by a collaboration of NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD and Tachū Naitō who was called "the Father in Quake-Proof Structure."
Tokyo Tower is the tallest construction in Japan with the spectacular height of 333 meters; the symbol of Tokyo with Japan’s first observatories that boast splendid views. Its two observatories enable us to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo. The Main and the Special Observatories are situated at 150m and 250m above ground respectively.
The elevator stops at the 2nd floor of Main Observatory. The floor usually gets crowded, so, it is advisable to go down to the first floor if you want to take your time to look around. Here, too, there are multiple “skywalk windows“ where part of the floor is glass, so you can enjoy the thrill of looking down from 150 m up.
16 TOKYO MIDTOWN TOWER
Introduction
This is the central building in Tokyo Midtown which is the result of the redevelopment of the land left by the former Defense Agency. The 248-meter-high tower has 5-story basement and 54 stories above ground.
Route
After a 12-minute train ride from Shinjuku station on Subway Oedo line, get off at Roppongi station. Exit 8 is connected to the tower.
About the tower
Tokyo Midtown is a large multipurpose complex that holds hotel, residences, offices, commercial and culture facilities, hospital, park, etc. Numerous artworks are displayed inside.
Architects
Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, Sakakura Associates and others participated.
17 Roppongi Hills
Introduction
A commercial complex built by Mori Building Co., Ltd. Mori Tower at the center is 238-meter high with 6-story basement and 54 stories above ground.
Route
It is directly connected to Roppongi station of Metro Hibiya and Subway Oedo lines.
About the building
Mori Tower is built on a hill; therefore, its altitude above sea level is higher than its height above ground. Its observation deck is situated at 270 meter above sea level which is higher than the special observatory of Tokyo Tower; therefore, it is the highest observation deck in Tokyo,
Architects・Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings seen from Roppongi Hills, the Sky Deck
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, IRIE MIYAKE ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS, and The Jerde Partnership International Inc, and others participated. Located on the roof of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, the Sky Deck is the highest open-air observation facility in Japan; 270 meters above sea level and 238 meters above ground. Walking on this sky walkway, you can enjoy not only a 360 degree panorama but also the fresh air and breeze that blow over the city of Tokyo. The Tokyo City View (on the 52nd floor), a glassed open-plan observation deck with an atrium more than 11 meters high, also provides a great view. The admission fee to the Tokyo City View Observation Deck is 1500 yen per adult and extra 300 yen for the Sky Deck. In addition, two spaces lower than the deck has been set respectively on the southeast side facing Tokyo Tower and on the northwest side overlooking the high-rise buildings in Shinjuku; visitors enjoy taking photos with the splendid background.
18 Meiji Jingu Shrine
Introduction
The shrine was built in 1915 for the commemoration of the Emperor Meiji. It is also known as the shrine that has the largest number of visitors during the New Year’s holidays in Japan.
Route
It is a 5-minute walk from JR Harajuku or a 7-minute walk from Meiji-Jingu-mae station on Metro Chiyoda line.
About the shrine
Donation was solicited all over Japan for the construction of the shrine, and most of the budget was covered by such donations. Trees and plants that form the forest of the shrine were all collected from the Japanese territory of the time and systematically planted, having a high perfection as a botanical garden.
19 Yebisu Garden Place
Introduction
Yebisu Garden Place is a large mall operated by a corporate group, Sapporo Holdings Ltd. Its landmark is Yebisu Garden Place Tower which is 167-meter high with 2-story basement and 39 stories above ground.
Route
It is a 7-minute walk from JR Ebisu station.
About Yebis Garden Place and the tower
In the Garden Place, there is Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography which is the first of its kind in Japan.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings seen from Yebisu Garden Place
The Yebisu Garden Place is a popular fashionable spot. The main facility, the 39-story tower, has a free observation room only known to those in the know. The observation room is situated 160-meter-high above ground; you can view buildings in and around Shibuya, Shinjuku and Aoyama. The top two floors, 38th and 39th, are restaurant mall where you can enjoy a variety of cuisines such as Chinese, French, Indian, and Japanese including Yakitori (grilled chicken), Edomae (edo-style) sushi, and more with the great view of the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and the Yokohama Bay Bridge.