If you want to escape the relentless bustle and noise around the streets to the north-east of Shinjuku station, there's a place you can go to get away from it. Just off Yasukuni-dori across the road from Isetan main mens' store, a few minutes from the JR station or Shinjuku-sanchome subway station, Hanazono-jinja is a venerable, restful shinto shrine, well insulated from the noise of the nearby streets. You can admire the main hall, a lavishly decorated door to a side building, or a couple of smaller side shrines with interesting statues and carvings. It's all very different from the offices and shops that are just a minute away!
Peter Sidell @peter.sidell
I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.
