“Ever get the feeling you’re being watched?” I ask gesturing towards the imposing structure before us. This is Shinjuku Gate. It stands as a silent witness to the countless souls who pass through Shinjuku every day. Shinjuku Gate marks a point of transition between worlds.
Shinjuku itself is a place of constant motion. It is Japan’s most renowned nightlife district. It has been featured in countless Japanese novels and movies. Its fascination with creators is undeniable. The name ‘Shinjuku’ is derived from ‘Naito Shinjuku’. ‘Naito’ was the name of the feudal lord who governed Shinshu. Shinshu is in what is now Nagano Prefecture. Shinjuku is known for its world-famous gay town ‘Ni-chome’. It is also known for the sex industry district ‘Kabukicho’. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is there as well.
Shinjuku Station opened in 1885. It has since become the world’s busiest travel hub. Over 3.5 million people pass through it every day. The station has over 200 exits. Shinjuku Station has countless winding streets through this dense commercial district. It is as much a place to lose someone as it is to meet someone.
The area exudes potential for chance meetings. It also exudes secret encounters and hidden subcultures. Shinjuku is a warren where everyone can find a home. Even if you have to head down the very darkest dingiest alleys.
But there are also more mysterious happenings. Shinjuku Station holds a series of seemingly endless corridors and tunnels. This makes it easy to become lost in the maze of hallways while trying to get around. According to urban legend, if you wander down one particular corridor, you will disappear and not come back. It is said that the corridor is located deep in the middle of the station. Some unfortunate soul may take a wrong turn in their haste to catch the next train. They may simply drop off the face of the earth.
There is a rumour that the deaths were actually a mass-suicide. Several staff members have reported sightings of mysterious figures lurking around the area. They are presumed to be the ghosts of those who had died there. The legend itself is that in Shinjuku Station, people intending to commit suicide are often pushed off of the tracks and into safety by ghosts. These supposed ghosts are said to be the very same mysterious figures who staff reported lurking around the station.
So, as you pass through Shinjuku Gate, remember the stories it holds. Remember the millions who have walked this path before you. Perhaps you will feel a touch of the past. Or maybe just the rush of modern Tokyo. Either way, Shinjuku Gate is more than just an entrance. It is a portal to a place of endless possibilities and lingering secrets.