Tokyo/Shinagawa
Shinagawa (品川) is one of the 23 wards of central Tokyo. Historically, parts of this ward were known as Shimazuyama. Many feudal lords (daimyo) maintained estates in this area during the Tokugawa Shogunate. More recently, this area is the birthplace and home of Sony.
Today, Shinagawa is a central train hub for Tokyo, possibly second only to Tokyo Station itself in the number of trains you can catch here. It is also a center of "European" style businesses and tourism, so you will see more English than Japanese on signs, and more Italian and American restaurants than Japanese ones.
Travel to Shinagawa, visa requirements
By Plane
The Keikyu Airport Line makes regular commuter runs from Haneda Airport (17-20 minutes, ¥400).
By Train
Shinagawa Station is served both by Japan Railways (JR) and Keikyu Railways.
Japan Railways runs trains through Shinagawa Station on the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, Yokosuka, and Tokaido lines, as well as some Narita Expresses from Narita Airport. Shinagawa Station is also served by the Tokaido Shinkansen.
On the Yamanote line, Ōsaki and Gotanda stations are also in the area.
Keikyu Railways trains run south to Yokohama and points beyond.
The Shinagawa area is also served by the Mita and Asakusa subway lines.
Shinagawa attractions and sightseeing
- Sengaku-ji Temple (泉岳寺) is the resting place of the 47 Ronin, a famous group of samurai who banded together to avenge their unfairly slain master. Having obtained the head of the offender, they brought it to this very temple and then committed ritual suicide. The story is told in Chushingura, the best-known of all Kabuki plays. History aside, the temple isn't much to look at. Nearest station is Sengakuji on the Toei Asakusa line.
- Shinagawa Aquarium and park.
- Hara Museum of Contemporary Art [1], 4-7-25 Kitashinagawa, (15 minutes walk from JR Shinagawa Station near La Foret Hotel, Gotenyama). T: 03-3445-0651 F: 03-3473-0104. Closed Mondays- open T, Th - Su 11am-5pm, W 11am-8pm. Admission 1000 yen, 700 yen for students. This small museum hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions in a 1930's house which is a great example of modern architecture in pre-war Japan. There is a very nice indoor/outdoor cafe.
City tours
The central immigration office for the Tokyo area is now in Shinagawa. Exit JR Shinagawa Station on the Konan side, look to your left, and follow the signs to bus platform 8 serving Immigration.
Shinagawa Prince Executive Tower offers chain restaurants, souvenir shopping, limousine bus service to Narita, an IMAX theater, and a movie multiplex.
Shopping, Shinagawa souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Budget
- McDonalds (Across the street from the East entrance to the JR station), of course.
- Yoshinoya - Fast food chain with Japanese style food. (One block to right from Takanawa exit of the JR station)
Mid-range
- Atre New York Style, (Shinagawa Station Konan Exit). A collection of restaurants grouped around a Queen Isetan grocery. Dean & Deluca, on the second floor, has a take-out sandwich and coffee bar which is convenient for supplies to get you through a long Shinkansen ride. The fourth floor has the Lounge Foodium restaurant complex including Grand Central Oyster Bar.
- Devi Corner, 3-24-21 Takanawa (5 min. north of Shinagawa station). Excellent Indian cuisine.
- Franklin Ave. The best and priciest burgers in town, next door from Ne Quittez Pas.
- Ribera Steakhouse. reasonably priced steaks with a C&W meets pro-wrestling theme. Look for the giant photo of Hulk Hogan tucking into a steak. Yokuzuna Akebono has been a regular here for years. 12 minutes walk from JR Shinagwa, 5 minutes walk from JR Gotanda, or 2 minutes walk from Takanawadai Station on the Asakusa line. 6pm-11pm T-S, closed Mondays.
- Beer Restaurant (Across the street and 1/2 block down from the East entrance of Shinagawa station) This is a good, authentic yakatori joint quite popular with Japanese commuters. They also have horse sashimi, something you're unlikely to encounter elsewhere.
- Royal Host (First floor of the Takanawa Keikyu Hotel) While on the better side of Japanese/American/European Fusion Diner style restaurant popular in Japan, this restaurant is not recommended, except for the coffee, which is surprisingly good. Curry is also good
- Outback Steakhouse (First Floor of the Takanawa Keikyu Hotel) Yes, really. In fact, across the street there is a TGI Friday's as well.
Splurge
- Ne Quittez Pas High-end French cuisine a short walk from Gotanda Station.
- Kura or Ginza Since 1930 (the name wasn't clear) (one block South of the East Exit of the JR station) This is an excellent Japan-Korean barbeque, with seafood and vegetarian options. Several waitstaff speak impeccable English. Cost really depends on how hungry you are; a light meal is likely to be 3000 yen, but stuffing yourself could run to 7000.
Shinagawa nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Directly across the street from JR Shinagawa Station Takanawa Exit you will find Enoteca on the second level of Shinagawa Wing. Shop for imported wines, or sample glasses in their small cafe. The Wing also has a tea shop.
- Virgin Cafe (Cross the elevated walkway to the left of Shinagawa Konan Exit) This cafe always seems very smoky, but is an easy place to stop for light food and imported beers on tap such as Kilkenny and Guinness at ¥1,000 for a pint.
- Art Cafe (Across the street from the East side of the JR station, in the Prince hotel shopping center) Excellent coffee, this somewhat smoky cafe is full of American and European business visitors and Japanese having espresso and a curry bun, or even a "bagette" (Japanese hot dog).
- Starbucks (On the second floor of JR Shinagawa Station just before the Konan Exit). Of course, Americans who are feeling homesick can always get a latte at Starbucks inside the JR station.
- 82 Ale House (Leaving Shinagawa station via the Konan exit, go down the escalator and walk down the street directly in front. Its near the end on the right hand side (1F)). Very convincing Victorian style British pub. Largish drinks menu which includes single malt wiskeys, real ale and Guinness on tap for 850yen a pint. Note that last orders are at the bizarrely early time of 10:45pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
With the new Shinkansen service to Shinagawa, the area hotels have become much more convenient (and crowded). Rooms at some hotels in the area sell out very quickly after going on sale. Shinagawa Prince, Takanawa Prince, and others are all clustered on the west side of the station. Also, try JR Gotanda Station in Shinagawa ward for cheaper business hotels or capsules.
- ANA Strings Hotel, [2]. A very nice hotel near Shinagawa Station which is worth visiting for a drink or a meal to get the view of the bay and Rainbow Bridge.
- Le Meridian Pacific Tokyo, [3]. 3-4 star hotel across the street from Shinagawa Station. The rooms are nice with High speed internet, and smoking rooms are available. Note: Don't confuse this with the more expensive Le Meridien Grand Pacific Tokyo in Odaiba!
- Toyoko Inn Shinagawa, [4]. A few minutes south of the station. A bit cheaper than the rest, and it can sell out quickly. An alternative Toyoko Inn is the Minami-Shinagawa [5], a few minutes south of Shinagawa by Keikyu local train; availability is generally better here, and the hotel is directly connected to the Keikyu line.
- Takanawa Keikyu, [6]. A more economical alternative to the more expensive high-service hotels, while still being good for business travellers who need the room primarily for sleeping and internet.
Contact
Internet Cafes
- Yahoo Cafe, Shinagawa Prince Executive Tower, 7th floor. Need to purchase a drink. Coffee/Tea/Coke are priced about 500 Yen (about 5 US dollars). After purchasing a drink, you would need to fill out a form with your name and your address at the front desk. You will receive a USB key. This place has very good and friendly (English speaking) service and personnel, but the laptops have very small keyboards, with keys unusually close together - so it is a bit hard to type. Camera available on some of the computers. Available printing: Regular at 30 Yen and Colour at 150 yen.
- Shinigawa Prince Executive Tower`s North and South Annex, 2nd floor wireless hot-spot. Must purchase a 500 Yen (5 US Dollar) card at the front desk, which will give you one day access. Must have your own computer. Power plugs along the window side. No eating or drinking allowed at the tables.
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