View of Shinjuku Skyline from Chuo Train Line

Skyscrapers of the Nishi Shinjuku (or west Shinjuku) district are the oldest tall buildings in Japan. The first one, Keio Plaza Hotel, was built in 1971.  

I heard there was a law to restrict development to construct high buildings back in 60’s, because of the risky nature of frequent earthquakes in the country.

Looking up them from the streets is definitely boring.  Buildings are just standing in front of you.  But seeing them from a distance is quite nice, especially at night. Unfortunately I couldn’t record a night movie this time though.

FYI:

• West Shinjuku: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-Shinjuku#Skyscrapers_in_Nishi-Shinjuku
• Travel Info of Shinjuku: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html
• Tall buildings in Japan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_structures_in_Japan
• Chuo Line: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D_Line_(Rapid)

Walking through an alley of Omoide Yokocho

There are about 80 stores/shops inside Omoide Yokocho. Most of them are bars serving the stuff like Yakitori (FYI: Yakitori http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakitori) at reasonable price. Some of them even serve adventurous meals (delicacies), such as grilled salamander, I’ve never tried though.

Check out their map (sorry only in Japanese)

http://www.shinjuku-omoide.com/shop/map.html

Also see ; Asa Dachi (or early morning erection) famous bar serving delicacies http://www.shinjuku-omoide.com/shop/asadachi/index.html

Shinjuku. The Busiest Town in Japan

Shinjuku (see also; http://funtravelinjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/01/heal-yourself-in-busiest-town-in-world.html), seems like the name of the city is well-known by many foreign tourists recently, is sometimes too lively for local people to visit. Too many people, too many cars, too many buildings too many crimes, too many etc,,,. That is too much materialistic in some ways. 

But it’s definitely a fun place to feel the excitement of Tokyo city life. Many many things to do, such as shopping, dining out, watching movies, or just walking around the town (that’s what I did this time).  It’s totally up to you regarding what to do.  There are too many people on the streets, but nobody cares what you are doing !! That's why I like this town. 

FYI:

• Shinjuku Ward: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku,_Tokyo
• Travel Info of Shinjuku: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

Shinjuku St.

Skyscraper of Shinjuku. Biz disrict.
FYI: West Shinjuku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-Shinjuku

Ome St.

  

Yasukuni St.

West side of Shinjuku Station
FYI: West Shinjuku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-Shinjuku

West side of Shinjuku station
FYI: West Shinjuku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-Shinjuku

Kabukicho. Sleepless town.
FYI: Kabukicho http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabukich%C5%8D,_Tokyo

Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Alley)
Used to be a lot where vendors sold black market goods back in 40-50's

Inside the Omoide Yokocho
Now there are a lot of cheap restaurants and bars located inside.
My recommendation is Yakitori (or grilled chicken)
FYI: Yakitori http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakitori

And toilets, too.
I've found the official website and a Facebook page of Omide Yokocho.
Visit it, they're only in Japanese though.
http://www.shinjuku-omoide.com/
http://www.facebook.com/omoideyokocho

A tunnel underneath the elevated railway tracks.  

Underpass @ Shinjuku Station
FYI: Shinjuku Station http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Station

Scene of Early Summer in Yonezawa City

FYI:

• Yonezawa City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonezawa,_Yamagata
• Travel Info of Yonezawa: http://wikitravel.org/en/Yonezawa

Streets of Yonezawa City

Street scene of Yonezawa which is famous as a “beef town".

FYI:

• Yonezawa City: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonezawa,_Yamagata
• Travel Info of Yonezawa: http://wikitravel.org/en/Yonezawa
• Yonezawa Beef: http://en.tohokukanko.jp/blog/leading-beef-brand-yonezawa/

Very very old hardware store. 

  

Streets of Yamagata City

FYI:

• Yamagata City: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata,_Yamagata
• Travel Info of Yamagata: http://wikitravel.org/en/Yamagata_(prefecture)
• Yamagata Prefecture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_Prefecture

This is a shoe store, named Ayuke-ya (or you gotta walk) .

The poster is saying "I'm keeping myself warm".
The pic was taken in early April. 

Panoramic View of Downtown Yamagata

Downtown view from the tallest building in the city of Yamagata. 

FYI:

• Yamagata City: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata,_Yamagata
• Travel Info of Yamagata: http://wikitravel.org/en/Yamagata_(prefecture)
• Yamagata Prefecture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_Prefectur

Eastwards

Eastwards

Westwards

Westwards

Southwards

Northwards

In front of Yamagata station

@ Yamagata station

Streets of Sendai, Miyagi

Sendai is the biggest city in the Tohoku ( or north east) region of Japan. The atmosphere is much different than the rest of other cities in the region. It’s very urbanized.

The fatal tsunami attack destroyed their coastal area when the big earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011. But the downtown is fine. 

FYI:

• Sendai City: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendai
• Travel Info of Sendai: http://wikitravel.org/en/Sendai
• Miyagi Prefecture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyagi_Prefecture

This is a strip club.