Roppongi Hills ()
Though many will equate Roppongi with a hotspot for nightclubs, bars and late-night debauchery, the truth is that this area has way more to see and do during the day than you might imagine.
Roppongi is a multicultural center where many foreign embassies and major foreign companies headquarter their operations. So, you’ll find many restaurants and activities to match the diverse atmosphere of the workers and residents of the area.
Roppongi is also a piece of war history. Here you’ll find Hardy Barracks, a small installation where Stars and Stripes Pacific has its headquarters. The small installation has been active since 1945 when the site was used by the former Imperial Army, then transferred to the U.S. military after WWII.
At the district’s center is Roppongi Hills, a towering 54-story building with offices, residences, a TV station, movie theater, art museums, lots of shopping and many restaurants and cafes completed in 2003.
Head to Roppongi Hills’ 52nd floor for the Tokyo City View observation deck and rooftop for 365-degree views of Tokyo.
Roppongi is technically split into two cities so you can visit the “second city” via a short walk from Roppongi Hills to Tokyo Midtown. This area has a 248-meter-high tower with more shopping, restaurants, residences and the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo hotel.
Though Midtown is smaller than Roppongi Hills, both have different features you’ll want to check out. Both also have impressive traditional Japanese gardens. Mori Teien garden in Roppongi Hills was once used as a residence of feudal lord Mori-clan during Edo era. The Hinokicho Garden in Tokyo Midtown used to be a famous garden Shimizu-en. A brisk walk in these beautiful sprawling gardens will make you forget you’re in the city.
The two “cities within the city” also accommodate interesting museums – Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills and Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo Midtown. Along with The National Art Center Tokyo near Hardy Barracks, the museums form the so-called “Roppongi Art Triangle.”
Nearby, Roppongi Tenso Jinja is a tiny but a beautiful Shinto shrine, dedicated to the mighty Shinto god for business, scholars and art. Many visit this shrine in hopes of better luck in these areas.
Roppongi may be many people’s ideas of a fun nighttime destination, but it is a great place to spend a day enjoying a nice stroll, thought-provoking art, a strong cup of coffee and some delicious foreign cuisine. Check it out!
