japanese are crazy over KRISPY KREME.

iskinita [alley]@shinjuku

forune-teller with his laptop.. isn't it too geeky??

MARIA [the performer] and the HEADBANGERS.

Isetann

*pictures copyrighted: me, poulain

Shinjuku (新宿区, Shinjuku-ku) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the Tokyo Metropolis.

The area around Shinjuku Station is home to a large concentration of department stores, specialist electronic and camera shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars. Many international hotels have a large presence here.

As of 2005, the ward has an estimated population of 305,352 and a density of 16,710 persons per km². The total area is 18.23 km².

Shinjuku has the highest numbers of registered foreign nationals of any community in Tokyo. As of October 1, 2005, 29,353 people with 107 nationalities were registered in Shinjuku. The top five nationalities are Korea (including North and South), China, France, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

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, 44.6 m, in Toyama Park east of Takadanobaba and Shin-Okubo stations. The lowest point is 4.2 m in the Iidabashi area.

Areas of Shinjuku include:

* Ichigaya: A commercial area in eastern Shinjuku, site of the Ministry of Defense.

* Golden Gai: An area of tiny shanty-style bars and clubs known for the artistic quality of its patrons. Musicians, artists, actors and directors are known to gather here, and the ramshackle walls of the bars are literally plastered with movie posters.

* Kabukichō: 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-chōme: 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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