Roppongi
The stylish Roppongi town in Tokyo shouldn't be missed with its feel of a fusion of the world with Tokyo. It is dotted with embassies from around the world, and boasts many shops and restaurants popular with foreigners. At expansive shopping and dining complexes such as Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, you will find a sophisticated atmosphere in the daytime as well as at night. Roppongi also is a place to appreciate art at cultural facilities including the National Art Center, Tokyo. In the neighboring area of Azabu Juban there are many well-established shops known for delicious dining. The mixture of cutting-edge complexes with the good old days makes Tokyo a mysterious town with something of interest for everyone.
| (1)Tokyo Midtown | (2)Suntory Museum of Art (c)Keizo Kioku |
(3)Roppongi Hills : Keyakizaka | (4)Roppongi Hills : Observation Deck |
Roppongi Map
Roppongi Art Triangle
Created by the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center, Tokyo, and Suntory Museum of Art, the "Roppongi Art Triangle" is a fascinating way to enjoy a wide variety of arts: contemporary art from Asia and many other areas in the world, Japanese art including national treasures and important cultural properties, and trendy exhibitions. Cafes, restaurants, shops and observatories are available to make your art experience even more enjoyable.
All three museums can be visited online:
Azabu Juban Shopping Street
In the past, Azabu Juban was where many daimyo (feudal lords) lived and so this shopping street has a 300-year-old history. The street includes a soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant, a taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste) shop, and other nostalgic shops but also has fashionable boutiques and cafes. Monuments, including a statue of "The Girl with Red Shoes" derived from a famous song of the same title, and the many trees create a cozy atmosphere. Noryo Matsuri (Summer Night Festival) and other events are held throughout the year. This area attracts many visitors and is a joy for the local people as well.
Entertainment
The nightlife of Roppongi allures many people with its variety of entertainment spots such as "Gaspanic," a club bar very popular with foreign people and "Roppongi Kingyo" a restaurant cabaret famous for its gorgeous transsexual showgirl (so-called "new half") dancers. You can also enjoy dining with music at "STB139" and watching sports at "Legends Sports Bar." Singing karaoke in English, Chinese and Korean as well as Japanese is available in reserved private rooms at "Karaokekan." The sky lounge with an awesome view and the chic bars in Roppongi Hills are also not to be missed.
Shopping
Tokyo Midtown
This large, new complex has many shops with goods of sophisticated design and high quality. Many attractive goods can be found—Japanese lifestyle products at "The Cover Nippon," a wide variety of Japanese hashi, (chopsticks) at "Hashicho" and sophisticated furniture and clothing at reasonable prices at "Muji," to name a few. You can also enjoy a relaxing rest in the Midtown Gardens within the Midtown complex or in Hinokicho Park located close by.
Roppongi Hills
This complex has many trendy shops. Unique denim items are sold at "Capital" and sophisticated jewelry from Kyoto is sold at "Niwaka." "Bals Tokyo Roppongi by Agito" is a new style of shop that offers exceptional items from all over the world under the motto "Introduced by Tokyo."
SOUVENIR FROM TOKYO
This museum shop is located in the National Art Center, Tokyo, and sells original avant-garde goods by artists and designers from all genres and styles. Unique, ingenious stationary and household goods can be purchased as well.
Gourmet Guide
(map:a) Gonpachi
Former President Bush and former Prime Minister Koizumi dining together added to the fame of this Japanese restaurant popular among foreigners. The old Japanese style interior, the high ceiling, and the cheerful staff create an open atmosphere. You can enjoy original Japanese dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken on a skewer) and buckwheat noodles.
(map:b) Brasserie Paul Bocuse le Musee
This restaurant is uniquely located within the National Art Center, Tokyo. This is the first overseas branch of chef Paul Bocuse's three-star Michelin brasserie in Lyon, France. You can enjoy authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices in a casual atmosphere. Some dishes are designed to collaborate with exhibitions and often the "food art" is impressive.
(map:c) Kushinobo
Kushinobo is a special kushikatsu, pieces of breaded pork, fish and vegetables fried on a skewer, restaurant. Kushinobo is very particular the ingredients they use, even in the sauces. Enjoy delicious kushikatsu made with a variety of meats and seasonal fish and vegetables.