Shinjuku Chuo Koen & Tokyo Tower at Night
I finally visited Shinjuku although it may not be the Shinjuku you have in mind. I, myself, was completely suprised at the solitude and quietness of the Shinjuku go-chome area. It's primarily a business area. In fact, the Metropolitian government buildings are within walking distance of the area. The JR Yamanote line, which drops you off right in the heart of Shinjuku, is a good twenty minute long walk away so the area is seriously removed from the flashing lights, huge department stores, and constant flow of tourists. It was beautiful!
Serene.
Saxophonist in the park. He sounded really good!
Skater boys, busy being too cool for school 
Fall leaves in Shinjuku Niagara Falls
More on these hooligans, later...
Neko-chan with statues. Cats aren't really kept as pets in Japan, but they're all over the place, just wandering about.
So those hooligans I mentioned before were models being photographed in the park. I've come to realize, photography is synonomous with older men in Japan. I have yet to see a woman with a camera who isn't part of my study abroad program.
A work of art made from umbrellas and garbage? I think...
Unlike in Chicago, it's very rare to see homeless wandering around the city here. They aren't even in the Subways either. Instead, they seem to be located in "camps" such as this one.
Shinjuku Niagara Falls -- No kidding, this is what it's called!
Another view of Shinjuku Niagara Falls
I love how hidden that couple was up there.
Finches! I love these little guys
Shinjuku traffic through the trees
On the way to Tokyo Tower
Paper lanterns at a Temple near the Tower
TOKYO TOWER
Blurry view of Tokyo from the Tower
I know I’ve been more than a little silent here lately. I’m finding my second month here, (six weeks into the trip to be exact) is hectic. I’ve had midterms over the past three weeks, I’ve managed to drop my keitai in the toliet twice thus rendering it non existant and I’ve had to deal with the inconvience of that (ie. waking up twenty minutes late, not being able to do anything but go to class and come back home, etc). I was supposed to video chat with the Japanese III class from my home school (Hey guys!) but due to my alarm playing tricks on me, I woke up too late to do it plus my connection was giving me ~issues~.
And if homesickness wasn’t enough, I encountered something truly horrific on Monday: a train “accident”. As the entire incident is still very fresh in my mind, I won’t be discussing it at the present moment, but if you’ve never been in Japan, and you don’t know much about what train “accidents” actually are in Japan-speak, do some research and you’ll understand why I’m just a bit hesitant to talk about it. Needless to say, it’s been a bit rough around these parts lately but I’m getting back on my feet, and looking forward to better things, for instance, that Justin Nozuka concert next Monday night.
Until then, get out and VOTE!
