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-Tōhoku 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''.
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 Yūrakuchō Center Building (Yūrakuchō 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 Yūrakuchō 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.