Yūrakuchō

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Yūrakuchō is a neighborhood of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan situated in between the Ginza and Hibiya Park, near the neighborhood of Shinbashi. Unlike its tonier neighbor the 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 ('yakitoriya'), 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.

Yūrakuchō is served by several train and subway stations, including Yūrakuchō Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line and Yūrakuchō Station on the Yūrakuchō subway line.

The neighborhood takes its name from Oda Nagamasu (or Urakusai, 1547–1622), younger brother of Oda Nobunaga. Nagamasu built his mansion here on land near the Sukiya-bashi Gate of Edo Castle granted by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In 1707, the Tokugawa shogunate established the Minami-machi Bugyo-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.

[edit] In Yūrakuchō

The most famous landmark in Yūrakuchō is the DN Tower 21. Home of the 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. The Norinchukin Bank shares the facility. Another is the Yurakucho Center Building (Yurakucho Mullion) complex, featuring retail, performance halls, and parking. The neighborhood has more theatres and cinemas, among them the Tokyo International Forum, Yuraku-za, Nissei Hall, Subaru, Shante, Tokyo Takarazuka, Hibiya Scala, Miyuki-za. The Hibiya Mitsui houses the home offices of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the Japan Steel Works, Ltd., and Asahi Kasei, while the Shin Yurakucho Building is home to Asahi Glass Co., Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., and Nichiro Corporation. Toho has its headquarters in the neighborhood, and the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) has both its headquarters and a Tourist Information Center in Yūrakuchō.