Shinjuku and Minato in Tokyo

SHINJUKU

Shinjuku 新宿 – is where some of Tokyo‘s tallest skyscrapers are. Here you will find luxury hotels, electronic stores, shops, a subterranean mall and also the red light district. There are many restaurants and bars, and some of them are on the top floor of the buildings with fantastic views. 

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 新宿御苑 – is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. It is very popular as it is one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms in late March and early April. They have three different types of gardens; Japanese traditional, English landscape and formal French garden. It is a paid park and cost 200 yen, and on Mondays are closed. To get there: JR Shinjuku Station, Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line; JR Sendagaya Station on the local Chuo/Sobu Line.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (TMG) 東京都庁 – (or Tocho) this twin-towered building contain offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government.
HOT TIP: you can go to the observations decks located on the 45th floors of these two towers for FREE and enjoy a fantastic view. On a bright day, you can see Mt. Fuji from there. Access is from Tocho-Mae Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line, exit A4.

MINATO

Tokyo Tower 東京タワー: it is over 330m and, you can go to the main deck (150m) or the top view deck (250m) for another price. Or, if you are like me and only wanted to have a look of the tower, go to the courtyard at the Zojoji Temple (it is nearby). The nearest station is Akabanebashi (5 min walk), but Hamamatsucho and Daimon are accessible through several lines and slightly farther away.

Zojoji Temple 増上寺 – the only temple structure to have survived the bombings of WW2 is the gate called Sangedatsumon, dating from 1622. This temple is considered the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Honshu. If you walk on the right side of the building, you will find the stone Jizo Statues, these statues symbolise the souls of children who died before birth.
To get there, take the Toei Asakusa and Oedo Subway Lines or Hamamatsucho Station on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines and leave at Daimon Station.

Roppongi 六本木 – it is the place where you are more likely of finding people speaking English. There are bars, restaurants and nights clubs aimed at the international public. Here you can see the National Art Center, Mori Art Museum and Suntory Museum of Art.
To get to Roppongi Station, take the Hibiya and Oedo Subway Lines or the Nanboku Subway Line.

View from Roppongi

It is not easy for me to explain and for you to understand where these locations are, but believe me, having the station name helps a lot, and as the days go by, you get the hang of it and will realise how Tokyo “works”. Trust me!