Japan 2017 Day 1: Exploring Shinjuku

Day 1 : Shinjuku

Since we arrived by the airport limousine bus, it didn't take us that long to reach our hotel. We had to work our way to the passage between the main building and the annex. On the same floor, we had to work our way outside and see a small passage from the main building and links to annex building. Both have 2 different concierge, so you have to check-in at the building to where you are staying.

We booked a double room.

For a double room, the room is tad small. We had to re-arrange the room in such a way where we can fit 2 big luggage. The room did not have any closet. There was only 2 ports on the table ( So you really need those multiple USB plug to charge all your gadgets). The room is tiny at 16 square meters.

Now off to shopping!

There's an underground passage that links hotel to the nearest metro train station. To go to the One day street (underground passage), you again have to go to the main building and take the escalator down a floor.  The underground passage should be facing north ( away from the hotel's mini stop, so if mini stop is on south, passage is north, and vice versa)

It was a good 10-15min walk to reach the metro station. ( It's far! )

Once we settled at our hotel , we ventured into Shinjuku!

We made our home base as Shinjuku mainly  because we were going for quick out of town trips outside of Tokyo.


The bus station to go Kawaguchiko is opposite the South Gate, and the tour pitstop is near Keio Plaza ( not to be confused with Keio line) . Our hotel is near Tokyo Metropolitan Building ( But believe it or not, I didn't find the time to go there).

And yes, Shinjuku station can be really confusing.You just need to watch your bearings. Although landmarks can change in the course of time. I was there 2 years ago, and took the wrong exit, and couldn't make my way back so I settled to go back to where I came from and again go back and take the train that will take me to my destination.

This was taken from JR Website. This is a scaled down version of Shinjuku Station.

Platform Guidance
-	Saikyo Line,Shonan-Shinjuku Line for Tokaido,		Yamanote Line Inner Tracks for
	Yokosuka,Tohoku (Utsunomiya), Takasaki		Shibuya, Shinagawa
	"Narita Express"for Narita Airport		Yamanote Line Outer Tracks for
	Chuo Line,Chuo Line for Tokyo (Rapid-service Train)		Ikebukuro,Ueno
	Chuo Line(Limited Express for Kofu, Matsumoto)		Chuo Line, Sobu Line for
	Chuo Line, Chuo Line for Takao (Rapid-service Train)		Mitaka (Local Train)
	Chuo Line, Sobu Line for Ochanomizu,
	Chiba (Local Train)

The Maze inside Shinjuku Station .. 

Not there yet

Better follow the signs to go to Lumine1

This is the exit nearer to go to Kinokuniya area. this exit was still far from JR South Gate, don't be deceived by the signs, although emerging from this exit will still lead you to the bus station albeit it's a bit further. 

After walking through a maze like route, we emerge from the one day street and to JR South Gate. 

More often than not, you will end up at the JR side of the tracks. Reason being that you are mostly using a JR Pass and you will avoid the other metro lines ( that adds additional costs).

Hotel Sunroute Plaza is located strategically near the JR station, bus station and Lumine. It is also one of the routes of the airport limousine bus. 

Some pointers on Shinjuku Station, if you want to go to Kabukichou, you should take the West Gate. Around West Exit, you can find Uniqlo.  South West of the station is Yodobashi ( I think I never did go to far west)

Around the JR East Travel Center, there's Takashimaya. 

Kinokuniya and Bicqlo are near to each other. It should be the route to go to Shinjuku Gyoen Park ( which is probably on the east gate).  Find the taito station. Kinokuniya and Bicqlo is in the corner of the taito station. ( Walking further down the Shinjuku South Station past the bridge ). I guess, the landmark to go here is Peace Building. We were walking aimlessly after we found the direction to the highway bus terminal.  

Bic Camera is near West Gate. Near to where Odakyu Line is. 

To go to highway bus is opposite of Lumine 1, there's a big sign ( You'll never miss it )

If you're going by the limousine bus and have a stop at JR Shinjuku, they will alight you at the pseudo-bus terminal ( this is not the main terminal for the highway buses). This is near the West Exit. 

East of the Exit is where 24h Don Quijote is. As much as I wanted to explore Shinjuku, I did not have the time to do so. Frankly, me being stuck at the basement of Tokyo Station and a day of exploring Ikebukuro already hold me up most of the time. To think that I did not even go to Harajuku or Ginza (From which I think I will save it on my next Jp Trip -- hopefully, it'll be a longer one!)  

If you want to go to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and if you are taking the train, it is best to work your bearings underground. Find your way to Exit 8.  There are signs all over the station to direct you to where it is. Just follow, the sign to go to Tokyo Metropolitan or Shinjuku Washington Hotel. 

But the easiest way is to find Shinjuku Washington Hotel is above ground , and then work your way to the Tokyo Metropolitan Govt building. 

From Lumine 1 (facing lumine1, on the right), walk straight ( well, at this point in time, you will pass a lot of stores, from first kitchen to Labi to the standing restaurant and to 7-11),  till you locate funny pointy buildings (Roughly 10 - 20mins walk), after which Shinjuku Washington Hotel is in sight.

past this intersection, still head straight till you hit some stairs.