1. History

2. Landmarks

3. Economy

4. Transportation

5. See also

6. References

Yūrakuchō is served by several train and subway stations, including Hibiya Station (Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro lines) and Yūrakuchō Station (JR East and Tokyo Metro lines).

Unlike its tonier neighbor Ginza, Yūrakuchō provides a glimpse of Japanese life from the early postwar period, with its many izakaya (Japanese-style bars, denoted by their red lanterns known as akachochin) and outdoor yakitori restaurants, many of which are located under the train tracks serving Tokyo's JR Yamanote Line. Because of its many traditional Japanese-style eating establishments, as well as its location on the Yamanote Line with easy access to Tokyo Station, Yūrakuchō is a favorite drinking spot for businessmen on their way home from work.

The administrative Yūrakuchō district also covers the Hibiya area.

History

In 1707, the Tokugawa shogunate established the Minami-machi Bugyō-sho, the office of one of the magistrates of Edo, in this area.

The place name dates from the Meiji period. It arises from an altered pronunciation of Urakusai.

Landmarks

One of the landmarks in Yūrakuchō is the DN Tower 21. Home of The Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company, the building, across the moat from the Imperial Palace, was the headquarters of Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers under Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan. Norinchukin Bank shares the facility.

The Yūrakuchō Center Building (Yūrakuchō Mullion) complex, featuring retail, 7 movie theaters, convention halls, and parking, is also located here. The district has many theatres and cinemas, among them the Tokyo International Forum, Toho Imperial Theater, Nissei Theater, Marunouchi Tōei, Chanter, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, Scala-za and Miyuki-za. The Hibiya Mitsui houses the home offices of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Japan Steel Works, and Asahi Kasei, while the Shin Yūrakuchō Building is home to Asahi Glass Co., Nippon Paper Industries, and Nichiro Corporation. Toyota Tsusho and Toho have their headquarters in the district, and the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) has both its headquarters and a Tourist Information Center in Yūrakuchō. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan has its facilities in the Yūrakuchō Denki North Building.

Nippon Broadcasting System (JOLF-AM) broadcasts live from Yūrakuchō since its first broadcast. Fuji Television (JOCX-TV) formerly shared facilities with JOLF.

Economy

At one time Japan Asia Airways had its headquarters in the Yurakucho Denki Building,^[3] and Galaxy Airlines had its headquarters in the district.^[4]

Transportation

• Hibiya Station
  • Toei Mita Line
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
  • Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
• Yūrakuchō Station
  • JR East Yamanote Line
  • JR East Keihin-Tōhoku Line
  • Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line

Hibiya and Yurakucho stations are connected by underground passageways.

See also

• Hibiya
• Uchisaiwaicho
• Marunouchi
• Shitamachi

References

• 2003 South American U-20 Championship
• 2003 South American Under 17 Football Championship
• 2003 Southampton City Council election
• 2003 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
• 2003 South Dakota tornado outbreak
• 2003 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election
• 2003 South Gloucestershire Council election
• 2003 South Lanarkshire Council election
• 2003 South Oxfordshire District Council election
• 2003 South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council election
• 2003 Spanish Figure Skating Championships
• 2003 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Event 1
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Event 2
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Event 3
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Final
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Qualification
• 2003 Speedway World Cup Race-off
• 2003 Spengler Cup
• 2003 Sports Network Cup
• 2003 St Albans City and District Council election
• 2003 Stanley Cup Final
• 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
• 2003 STCC Season
• 2003 Stella Artois Championships