When you're in the Shinjuku area, you can always look up and see many uniquely shaped skyscrapers. One of the most recognizable landmarks is Shinjuku Park Tower, with its triangular spires at the top. This high-rise consists of three towers of different heights, and its tiered design is quite distinctive, making it a prominent part of the Shinjuku skyline. The building is home to the renowned Park Hyatt Tokyo, which was used as a filming location for Lost in Translation. From the observation decks of nearby high-rises, you can take in views of Park Tower, Shinjuku Gyoen, and the surrounding cityscape, experiencing Tokyo's bustling and captivating urban atmosphere.
Shinjuku Park Tower | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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SOMPO Museum of Art
The Sompo Japan Museum of Art is an art landmark in Shinjuku, and it is home to diverse arts and culture. The museum hosts a wide variety of exhibitions.
The SOMPO Museum of Art in Shinjuku has an important collection of modern Western paintings, including works by Seiji Togo, Renoir, Cézanne, and other artists, but the most notable is Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite painters. When I traveled to the Netherlands before, I made a special visit to the Van Gogh Museum to see the master's original works. When I happened to learn that the SOMPO Museum of Art in Shinjuku had Sunflowers in its collection, I knew I had to make time to go.
The bright yellow flowers in the painting are especially striking, with the petals built up in layers of thick, bold brushstrokes, as if they were filled with warmth and vitality. Even the flowers themselves look vivid and full of life. Every time I see Van Gogh's work, I can feel his intense and sincere emotions, making it hard to look away for a long time. Before leaving, I made a point of buying a 3D postcard of the painting to take home for my collection.
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Sunshine Aquarium
This aquarium is built on the roof of a building in Sunshine City, a large-scale commercial facility in Ikebukuro. It is made up of three areas: “Sky Journey,” “Ocean Journey,” and “Waterfront Journey.”
If you're looking for a place in central Tokyo where kids can burn off some energy, Sunshine Aquarium at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is a great choice for a short family outing. Although the aquarium isn't especially large, it cleverly uses its different exhibit areas to create an ocean world full of surprises. From colorful tropical fish and jellyfish to all kinds of marine life, there is plenty to keep both adults and children captivated. The most eye-catching attraction is the popular penguin exhibit. Thanks to the special tank design, the penguins seem to swim and fly among the skyscrapers, creating a very unusual visual effect that is extremely popular.
There's no need to rush off after visiting the aquarium. Sunshine City itself is a large shopping and entertainment complex with department stores, clothing shops, specialty goods, anime merchandise, and all kinds of restaurants. There is even an observation deck and a planetarium to visit. Adults can shop to their hearts' content while children have fun, making it a great Tokyo attraction for the whole family, rain or shine.
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Akeno Sunflower Fields
Vast sunflower fields spread across Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture-known for having Japan’s longest sunshine hours. In season, Approx. 400,000 sunflowers bloom at once, creating a breathtaking view. Behind them, mountains with beautiful ridgelines-including the Southern Alps, Yatsugatake, and even Mt. Fuji-line the horizon, making the scenery even more spectacular. Easy to visit as a day trip from the Tokyo area, this is one of the top sunflower spots in Yamanashi and the Kanto region, drawing large crowds during the season.
When you think of summer, sunflowers easily come to mind. This time, I drove with friends to the Akeno Sunflower Fields. Before we even got close, we were already deeply drawn to the vast expanse of golden flowers before us. As far as the eye could see, tens of thousands of sunflowers were blooming in the sunlight, their faces brimming with energy under the sun. Together with the blue sky and white clouds, the whole scene was as beautiful as a postcard. Although the location is rather difficult to reach, seeing this spectacular sea of flowers in person truly filled me with an indescribable sense of emotion.
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