The 6th Cut – All that Jazz (Shinjuku)

Shinjuku is seemingly just another big city of Tokyo. But this city has thousands of faces. You can find the most sophisticated department store in town and at the same time you can hunt rare bootleg CD’s and records. You can eat classy Thai food in a building where a peep show is performed on the basement floor. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the Shinjuku area was the heart of Japanese counterculture. This spirit still remains in this city, where you can find lots of jazz joints and theaters and good cafes.

◆Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html
Kick off your day at Shinjuku National Garden. It used be a garden of the imperial family, but after World War II, it was opened to the public. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden holds three different types of garden, a Japanese, French and English style garden. You can enjoy various kinds of seasonal flowers and this is the perfect place to start your day-off. The entrance fee is JPY200.
Closest Station: Shinjuku Gyoen Mae (M10, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
Closest Exit: Exit 1&2 (You can see the gate right after stepping out from the exit)

◆Isetan Department Store (Browsing Cutting Edge Fashion)
Go out by the Okido Mon (Okido Gate) of Shinuku Gyoen and turn left, and go down the street called “Shinjuku Dori” (towards JR Shinjuku Station). After approx. 10 minutes, you can see the Isetan Department Store on you right. Isetan is definitely the most sophisticated department store in town. They have two stores in a row, one is specialized in men’s fashion (Men’s Kan) and another one is specialized in lady’s fashion and foods from all around the world. The way they display men’s clothes, cosmetics and accessories is absolutely something else. As for lady’s fashion, you can buy almost all the acclaimed Japanese brands (Comme des Garcons http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comme_des_Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto http://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/en.html, , Issei Miyake http://www.isseymiyake.co.jp/
etc.) as well as European well-known brands. Besides fashion goods, don’t forget to browse the selected import and local food stores in the basement floor of Isetan Department.
Address: 3-14-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3352-1111 (Open Everyday)