Shinjuku Signs

In all of Tokyo, I think there's no better place to take photos than Shinjuku.
North, south, east or west are all good photo opportunities.

A couple from today displaying the in-your-face advertising/decor of Tokyo's buildings.

Karaoke, anyone?

Shinjuku monuments

Shinjuku Variety

A few from around Shinjuku.
A quick rundown of what we have from top to bottom:
- Down the road from New South Exit.
- The brown building on the left side is Hotel Sunroute; the first hotel that I stayed in when I got to Japan...and the best.
- Washington Hotel; the third hotel that I stayed in.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
- Ongoing Construction close to the South East Exit (to the left of the photo).

The Porn Collective

Just a smattering of porn around the streets.
I managed to photograph a woman taking a pic of the adult movie theatre (top). This is very close to the South East Exit.

Shinjuku streets

If I remember correctly, there were taken around the Kabuki-cho area of Shinjuku getting close to Okubo.

Random street scenes

Tomato vending machine in the middle pic.

Kudanshita

A quick visual tour of a rundown building in Kudanshita, Tokyo.

The likes of which you won't see in your tour guide.

Sprawling Metropolis

These pictures were taken in Suidobashi, Tokyo.

The top picture you can see the L'Aqua and Tokyo Dome areas to the bottom right.

Also of interest is the large centreless ferris wheel and roller coaster that runs through it.

The bottom picture looks slightly towards Ueno in the distance.

Suidobashi (and Korakuen)itself is famously home to such places as the Kodokan(mecca of Judo) and the Tokyo Dome, home of the baseball team, Tokyo Giants.

It's a busy place during the day and is a business hub as well as having some large high schools and universities around the area.

At night, it's quiet.

Shinjuku Art

Situated close to the New South Exit of Shinjuku station.

Kabuki Cho, Shinjuku

Always an interesting place for a wander around, day or night.
The signs are in your face. Trannies, hookers, male/female hosts are operating around the clock pulling in the punters.
Naturally, it becomes better (or worse, depending how you think) at night.

Ueno

Ueno has been cleaned up over the years.
However, the streets are still grimy, the back streets are still seedy, the fish market is still smelly and the park still attracts the homeless.
I remember Ueno was quite a shit hole when I was first in Tokyo 8 years ago.
It's certainly a long way off being upmarket, and that's probably why I like it.
Still, the effort to make it more presentable is evident.

I find Ueno has a mix of Shinjuku's neon and crowded streets, coupled with the feel of Nakano's backstreets, and yet manages to keep it own uniqueness with a big open air market.

It's well-worth a visit for the market and just to wander.
Keep out of the zoo, though.
It's quite depressing and very small.
You'll feel very sorry for the inhabitants...

Ueno

A few snaps from around the streets.
Note that the toy shop.
This is a great shop that specialises in replica ball bearing guns and "celebrity" masks.
Quite a mix.

Okubo Station

Took this from the platform of Okubo Station.
Okubo is sometimes referred to as "Korean Town".
Next stop to Shinjuku.

MJ

MJ tribute near Nakano Station.
There's two walls that are designated for graffiti artists along the train tracks from Nakano to Koenji.
From the North exit.
Turn left.
Cross the street.
Go up the hill and past the bike park.
Keep going.

Artist:
Google belx2

Kichijoji

Asagaya Lanterns