Shinjuku Central Park | Review by Norton Liang

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Shinjuku Central Park

A green public park tucked beneath skyscrapers.

4 Nov 2026 See More

Shinjuku Central Park is located in Nishi-Shinjuku. On my first stay at a nearby hotel🏨, I completely fell in love with it😍
Unlike the crowded, noisy bustle of Shinjuku, walking uphill along the sidewalk gave me the feeling of an urban oasis. It was super chill, with office buildings🏢 and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building🏢 nearby.
Stopping by Central Park and lingering over a cup of coffee☕️ was so relaxing😌 It must be breathtaking during cherry blossom🌸 season!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A special mention for the plaza outside Starbucks:
It features a collaboration between Australian artist Adrian Hogan and Starbucks. In addition to the artwork at the Shinjuku Central Park location, his best-known work is actually the giant mural and related designs at Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo (the Nakameguro flagship store).

Shinjuku Central Park SHUKNOVA store: The mural has an “urban oasis” theme, with light, lively brushstrokes capturing people strolling through the park, families having picnics, and the distinctive skyscrapers in the background, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Nakameguro flagship store stairway mural: He designed a mural spanning the stairwell floors of this flagship store, depicting the human story of coffee from its place of origin to the cup, along with scenes of Tokyo’s streets.
🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️👍

Other Reviews by Norton Liang

TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R)

Boasting a height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities. The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.
- Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
- Observatories
5 Nov 2026 See More

Are you team Tokyo Tower 🗼 or team TOKYO SKYTREE?
Tokyo’s two major landmark towers 🗼
TOKYO SKYTREE may not have the imposing design of Tokyo Tower 🗼, but its slender white steel structure gives it a romantic feeling, as if it suddenly appeared in the sky!
According to the website, TOKYO SKYTREE rotates daily among three colors: “Iki” (pale blue), “Miyabi” (Edo purple), and “Nobori” (orange). They symbolize the Edo spirit of “Iki,” the aesthetic sensibility of “Miyabi,” and the prosperous future of “Nobori,” expressing the passage of time from today into tomorrow and from tomorrow toward the future.
It has an added touch of elegant Japanese aesthetics!
It’s really hard to put the camera down 📷!
The National Museum of Western Art

The museum is located in the lush Ueno Park and, as its name suggests, specializes in Western art. The museum is based on "the Matsukata Collection," which was donated and returned by the French government. The French art collection includes paintings by Impressionists such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso and sculptures by Rodin.
- Ueno, Nippori
- Museums
4 Nov 2026 See More

In Japan, the incorporation of Western literary figures or meanings into architectural design stems from the active adoption of Western culture during Japan’s modernization period (the Meiji and Taisho eras), as well as the integration of international architectural styles after the war. This fusion sometimes takes the form of direct decorative references and sometimes a deeper translation of spatial concepts.
Classic sculptures in the forecourt of The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno
1. #Rodin’s The Gates of Hell
Literary source: Dante’s Divine Comedy, Inferno
2. French master sculptor **Emile-
Antoine Bourdelle (a former assistant to Rodin)**, Hercules the Archer
HerculestheArcher)
: Depicts the Greek mythological hero Heracles shooting monstrous birds.
Incidentally, being able to see works by both master and student echoing each other in the museum forecourt is an artistic scene in Ueno that is well worth stopping to appreciate.
◎Also located in Ueno Park, in the sunken pool (a moat-shaped landscape feature) at #Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, directly across from The National Museum of Western Art.
3. A work by the renowned American female sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), #Diana (Diana
Mythological background: Diana (Roman mythology: Diana/Greek mythology:
#Artemis) is the goddess of the moon and the hunt, as well as the guardian of chastity and forests
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter

This entirely new walk-through attraction lets you experience how the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" films were made. It is the first of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world.
- Nakano, Koenji, Ogikubo, Nerima
- Amusement Parks & Theme parks
4 Nov 2026 See More

The studio has faithfully recreated classic sets and props from the movies, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into the magical world.
As soon as you enter, you’ll be drawn to
🪄Hogwarts Great Hall
The huge dining hall, with banners from all four houses hanging overhead, recreates the classic entrance ceremony and banquet🥳 So captivating🤩 You have to pretend you’re a student at the Ministry of Magic and dine there🍽️ to experience it!

I thought it would be boring🥱 but it turned out to be a huge wave of nostalgia.
The adults were having even more fun than the kids😚
It’s not just the gift shop that’s appealing.
There’s also:

🪄The Hogwarts Express and Platform 9¾
🪄Diagon Alley
🪄🌳The Forbidden Forest: The lighting and set design create a great atmosphere. This area is exclusive to Tokyo and can’t be seen in London;

🧙♀️Unique interactive experiences🧙🏻

🪄Quidditch experience
🪄Green screen flying experience
🪄Moving portraits and more,

There’s also the world’s largest Harry Potter store, offering more than 7,000 items, including clothing, wands, and magical props. Many items can be customized.

The transit stations around the studio are also filled with a magical atmosphere.
Toshimaen Station: The platforms at Seibu Railway’s Ikebukuro and Toshimaen stations have been specially renovated to create a strong Harry Potter theme, making them perfect for taking commemorative photos.