TOKYO CITY GUIDE : DISTRICT / SHINJUKU

Shinjuku

Like in the Melville movies or  late 60’s/early 70’s Toei movies: the giant crab “logo” of an expensive seefood restaurants chain.

Shinjuku: the other nerve center of the megapolis, with its looks, tribes, folk. And its famous mascot (scoop): on his bike (picture on the second board below), the “Healer” never leaves the area. He is considareted like the Shinjuku star for the residents.

Then I meet the georgous Manga designer and ex Hip Hop DJ, my friend K San at Mixing (pictures on the first board below). Some say, generations of Yakusa bring their familly in this 50’s brasserie. Kitsch decoration. I order a kobu cha (seaweed tea).

A quick visit to the golden melon, at “master” Takano (picture above), the label of luxury fruits, specialist in perfect melons (150 Euros / picture on the board below).

Now we walk in front a suehiro (on the board below, picture with the old man), a comedie theatre in small streets leading us to the old red lights area (prostitution), Golden Gate (b&w pictures on the board below).

Today really popular for having drinks in the tiny bars of few narrow streets. A detail: I’ve seen a dead rat in the daytime. At night, it’s crowded with locals and tourists.

I prefer cosier and more exclusive atmsophere, like the izakaya (a small tavern bar) of K San in an anonymous area of Tokyo and four great customers (always the same) and the warm owner. 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022

Shinjuku Goyen Garden

There are few peaceful places such as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Early spring pictures just before hanami (the cherry blossom viewing).

About hanami, you can have an alarm on your mobile phone to look at the cherry blossom in Japan. Fantastic, isn’t it? The hugh park has approximately 1,500 sakura (cherry trees) and three different gardens styles.

Including a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden with a strange (sort of) velvet lawn and unrealistic gnarled trees. Like in a fairy tale. Eyes free the spirit. Comtemplative. 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Domo arigato gozaimasu M & K San 

Informations 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

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Japan: Learning Japanese in Tokyo Subway    

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