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 near or under the train tracks serving Tokyo's JRYamanote Line. Because of its easy access to Tokyo Station, Yūrakuchō bars and restaurants are popular among 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
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Toho's headquarters, the Toho Hibiya Building (東宝日比谷ビル, Tōhō Hibiya Biru), are in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo. The company moved into its current headquarters in April 2005.[1]
Japan Airlines operates a domestic and international flights ticketing office on the first floor of the Yurakucho Denki Building in Yūrakuchō.[2]
Hibiya and Yurakucho stations are connected by underground passageways.
Education
Chiyoda Board of Education operates public elementary and junior high schools. Chiyoda Elementary School (千代田小学校) is the zoned elementary school for Yūrakuchō 1-2 chōme.[5] There is a freedom of choice system for junior high schools in Chiyoda Ward, and so there are no specific junior high school zones.[6]
^"会社の沿革." Toho. Retrieved on February 26, 2010. "2005年4月 東宝本社を東宝日比谷ビル(東京都千代田区有楽町一丁目2-2)に移転。"
^"JAL Group Offices InformationArchived March 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on July 21, 2011. "JAL PLAZA Yurakucho Ticket Office International & Domestic Ticketing Available Address 1st floor, Yurakucho Denki Bldg.,1-7-1 Yurakucho Chiyoda-ku, 100-0006" Map
^"World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985. 88." Retrieved on June 17, 2009.