As a start, in this very first post, I’ve picked up a topic that is closely related to our daily life (and your life if you visit us, too): Access to the JASIC office from the nearest train stations. Let me explain this by showing you various scenes of the streets that we walk every day. Our office is in a convenient location that is accessible from three different train stations in Tokyo: Yotsuya Station and Ichigaya Station (on JR Lines and Tokyo Metro Lines) and Kojimachi Station (on a Tokyo Metro Line). It only takes about five minutes to get here from any of these stations.

   

Yotsuya Station

If you’re coming from Yotsuya Station (on JR Sobu Line, JR Chuo Line [rapid trains only], Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, or Tokyo Metro Namboku Line), I recommend access to our office from JR Kojimachi Exit or Tokyo Metro Exit No.1; or, for those of you taking Namboku Line, the best way is to find Tokyo Metro Exit No. 3 first, through which you can get to the JR Kojimachi Exit.



Kojimachi Exit of JR Yotsuya Station


Exit No. 1 of Tokyo Metro Yotsuya Station (for Marunouchi Line users)
A view of "atré" (shopping mall at the JR Yotsuya Station) seen from Exit No. 1 of the Tokyo Metro Yotsuya Station

There are a variety of restaurants and bars around the station, including those in the atré shopping mall as well as on Shinmichi-dori Street and Shinjuku-dori Street, making our lunch times and after-work hours enjoyable.

Shinmichi-dori Street, where many restaurants and bars are located next to one another

Shinjuku-dori Street, in the direction of Shinjuku, with restaurants, bars, and other businesses on either side

Now, let me direct you to the JASIC office from the Yotsuya Station. Start walking in the direction of Bancho. You’ll see Sotobori Park on your left. This park is good for picnics in spring when you can enjoy its cherry trees with beautiful blossoms. Futaba Gakuen School is on the right side of the street.


A view from the front of Yotsuya Station, in the direction of the JASIC office, with Sotobori Park on left and Futaba Gakuen School straight ahead

Walk a little farther and you’ll see Tokyo Chinese School on your left, where the big lion statue at the gate is guarding the school. At certain times of the year, you can hear the sound of Chinese drums as you pass by this school.

Tokyo Chinese School's lion statue, the guard for the school

Soon, Shoei Building will be in your view on the right. The JASIC office is in this building.

Shoei Building, currently being repainted (as of December 2007)

 

Ichigaya Station

Next, I would like to explain how to get to our office from Ichigaya Station (on JR Sobu Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, and Toei Shinjuku Line). For subway users, Exit No. 4 is recommended.

Exit of JR Ichigaya Station with the subway exit in front

From the intersection in front of the station, go up Shinzaka Street (a hilly part of Nittere-dori Street). This area is convenient for eating out before or after meetings. Banks and bookstores are also located here. The street has a pole with information on its history, from which you can learn about the changes that have taken place in this area since the Edo Period.


A view of Shinzaka Street, seen from the intersection in front of Ichigaya Station
Information on the history of Shinzaka Street

After you go all the way up to the top of the hilly part, turn right at Gobancho Intersection. Pass by Gobancho Center Building on your right (which houses the office of Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan) and walk for another 100 meters or so. Then, you’ll see Shoei Building on your left, where the JASIC office is located.

A view from Gobancho Intersection, in the direction of the JASIC Office (The JSAE office is in the white building on the right.)

The famous Yasukuni Shrine is only a five-minute walk from the Ichigaya Station. There is also a small fishing park in the moat near the station. Why don’t you stop by at these places when you have time?

Fishing park, an oasis in the city

 

Kojimachi Station

Finally, let me describe the route to our office from Kojimachi Station (on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line). Go up to the outside through Exit No. 5. From the exit, walk in the left direction for about 300 meters until you get to Gobancho Intersection. Turn left there and you’ll arrive at the JASIC office after 200 meters or so.

Well, this concludes my explanation of access from the three train stations and introduction of the areas around our office with photos. I hope that this information has shortened the distance between you and JASIC and that you will visit us soon!

(Posted by T.K. of JASIC Secretariat)



A view of the street connecting the Kojimachi Station exit, close to which this photo was taken, and Gobancho Intersection, which can be seen straight ahead (The building on the near right side in this photo is the Nippon Television headquarters.)