For gaijin in japan - particuarly Tokyo?

Question

I lived in Japan for a couple of years in Hokkaido, and soon may have the chance to work in Tokyo - it will probably be in Shinjiku. For those who have lived/worked there, what was it like? I know all the obvious stuff. My Japanese is fluent, The culture and customs have become my own. The aim of my question is to find out if that area of Japan is REAL Japan, or just over-run with foreign business men. Also any tips/advice etc would be great. Cheers people.

Answer 1

Its Tokyo, of course you will see gaijin businessmen. But Tokyo is about 12,000,000 plus people. 99% of those are Asian people. And it is real Japan. Tokyo has beeen inhabited for hundreds of years with Japanese from all over Japan. Some of the same customs that you have seen in Hokkaido save the regional dialects and local foods/customs that are endemic to most Japanese prefectures. Just west of Shinjuku 20 min on the train can take you to smaller suburban towns. You will be suprised at the little hamlets within 30 min of Tokyo. you will be in one of the 23 wards or special districts. Outside of these areas to the west especially is a whole diif world.
Shinjuku is like Times Square in New York in the main area. There are some little side streets that are like stepping back one hundred years. Its ultra modern at the center but close enough to Mt. Takao (45min) for you to see the rural Japan small towns you like.



Geography
Shinjuku Skyscrapers viewed from Tokyo Tower.
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Shinjuku Skyscrapers viewed from Tokyo Tower.
A smog-blurred view over Shinjuku in the morning.
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A smog-blurred view over Shinjuku in the morning.

Tokyo wards around Shinjuku are: Chiyoda to the east; Bunkyo and Toshima to the north; Nakano to the west, and Shibuya and Minato to the south. In addition, Nerima is only a hundred meters away. The highest point in Shinjuku is Hakone Hill, 44.6m, in Toyama Park east of Takadanobaba and Shin-Okubo stations. The lowest point is 4.2m in the Iidabashi area.

Areas of Shinjuku include:

* Ichigaya: A commercial area in eastern Shinjuku, site of the Japan Defense Agency headquarters.
* Kabukicho: A district well-known for bars, restaurants and red-light district with street prostitutes, brothels, and other sexual commerce. Located northeast of Shinjuku Station.
* Nishi-shinjuku: Tokyo's largest skyscraper district. Several of the tallest buildings in Tokyo are located in this area, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, KDDI Building and Park Tower. Located west of Shinjuku Station.

* Okubo: Tokyo's best-known Korean district.
* Shinanomachi: On the southern edge of Shinjuku, close to the National Stadium, also known as Olympic Stadium, Tokyo and Meiji-Jingu Stadium (where the Yakult Swallows baseball team plays).
* Shinjuku Gyoen is a large park, 58.3 hectares, 3.5 km in circumference, blending Japanese traditional, English Landscape and French Formal style gardens.
* Shinjuku ni-chome: Tokyo's best-known gay district.
* Waseda: Surrounding Waseda University, one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan. Nearby Takadanobaba is a major student residential and nightlife area.

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Answer 2

Shinjuku is a cosmopolitan area, you can find anything you want here.

The Shinjuku station is second largely crowded station in Japan next to Ikebukuro.

The Shinjuku is also well known for the Gangsters and Red light district.

The Bic Camera, Map camera and Yodobashi are well known camera/electronic stores here in Shinjuku

You will find trains to any distination of Tokyo from Shinjuku

Lots of cultural attractions are also to be pointed in Shinjuku and near by places. There are small shrines, fishing ponds and even the Japanese religious person who collects money from public to conduct some religious activities are to be spotted near shinjuku station.

Shinjuku is filled with tall buildings and shopping complex, finding a traditional style Japanese house may not be possible in the downtown area but people

Lots of options for food and hotels in Shinjuku also the entertainment.

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Answer 3

I lived in Japan for a year as a foreign exchange student in highschool. I lived in Iida, Nagano which had NO foreigners. However, whenever I went to Tokyo, though it was obviously still Japan, it didn't feel like it. Tokyo's filled with foreigners... Tourists, business men, etc. It's nuts.
I almost felt like I was just in a part of America with a lot of Japanese stuff and people there. Even though my Japanese was already fluent, I barely needed to use it. I got no looks, as opposed to in Nagano, where everybody was always with their eyes on me.
Tokyo's gonna be a big change. Hope you have fun!

Answer 4

I liked Shinjiku. It didn't seem too tourist filled, still very much had traditional cultures and restaurants, etc. It's got great nightlife, and usually it's the locals bringing, on occasion, foriegn businessfolks in for a night on the town (of course, Ginza is more of a hot spot).

I'm sure others have more knowledge than me, so I'll drop it here.

Best of luck to you! Boy, would I love to live in Japan for a few years! Visiting it has been very enjoyable.