2020/10/05
Shinjuku Station is used by an average of 3.64 million people per day and recognized as the busiest station in the world by the Guinness World Records. It is often compared to a labyrinth, with numerous trains running into and out of the enormous complex, which is estimated to have more than 100 or 200 exits, depending on how you count them. If you somehow manage to find West Exit and get out of the station on the surface, you will see many skyscrapers standing taller than 200 meters.
If you walk from the busy Shinjuku Station for 7 – 8 minutes, walk into the back streets, keep on walking for a few more minutes, and you will find ARC Academy Shinjuku School. There are convenience stores that the students frequent and some queues for the popular ramen shops in the area, but it is a very quiet environment in comparison to the bustle around the station.
Shinjuku School has everything on one floor making it easy to find friends in other classes, get to know new students and ask questions to the teachers. It is very lively during the break, when students enjoy going to a convenience store or chatting with friends. When the entrance exams for higher education draw closer, some students prepare application documents, meanwhile some students do practice interviews with teachers, with their friends kindly waiting to see how it goes. The school has a very homely atmosphere where we can easily interact with our students, even outside of lessons.
Shinjuku itself is a very convenient place and it is only 2 stops to Harajuku, and 3 stops to Shibuya if you take a train. A 15-minute trip will also take you to Akihabara, well known for its electronics and anime goods, but there is an Anime goods retailer near Shinjuku station too. It is not only convenient for shopping, but Shinjuku also has big parks. Once you are in Shinjuku, it’s recommended that you visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings Observatory. You will find green areas more than you expect in the endlessly expanding city.
There are many tourists from overseas in Shinjuku and you may be able to find English and Chinese speaking staff in shops and restaurants. We have English and Chinese speaking staff in ARC Academy as well, but students who always try to speak in Japanese obviously make good progress. We would like them to enjoy speaking Japanese with students from other countries and with us, too.
It must be a big decision to come and study in Japan. You may be very nervous but I would like you to have courage and take the leap. Even if you feel at a loss when surrounded by unknown language in different customs, we will be here to fully support you.