Minato

城市概覽

Minato is a fairly sprawling ward with no single center. It is known as a very wealthy part of Tokyo and home to most of Tokyo's foreign embassies, many of its large multinational corporations and a number of prestigious universities. The following parts of Minato have their own articles:

Akasaka - a business district and nightlife area near the government center Odaiba - the Tokyo of the future built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay Roppongi - Tokyo's hub for contemporary art and nightlife Shinbashi - an older business and commercial district Shiodome - a still-growing cluster of brand new skyscrapers

Tourist Information Site Visit Minato City is the ward's official multilingual guide site.

如何抵達

By train Hamamatsuchō (浜松町), terminus of the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport; the closest station on the Yamanote to Tokyo Tower (10-min walk) and Roppongi (25-min walk). Daimon (大門), By underground station Asakusa line and Oedo line.

By bus Hamamatsuchō Bus Terminal (浜松町バスターミナル), Exway buses came from Chiba (ex Choshi, Kisarazu) and Tohoku (ex Yamagata, Hirosaki). Closed for re-building, reopen due March 2027.

By boat Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal (竹芝桟橋, Takeshiba Sanbashi) by boat from Izu and Ogasawara Islands.

必看景點

1 Tokyo Tower (東京タワー Tōkyō Tawā) (the nearest station is Akabanebashi (5-min walk) although Hamamatsucho and Daimon are accessible through several lines and only slightly farther away). Daily 09:00-22:00. This was a newly re-industrialized Japan's 1958 answer to Paris's Eiffel Tower — a bit more modern-looking and 9 m taller. Entry to the Main Observatory (150m) is ¥820, while ascending to the Special Observatory (250m) is an extra ¥600. Your photo will be taken for purchase later (¥600). Tip: To get a good view of, and picture with, the tower, try the courtyard in front of Zojoji (nearby), or the second-floor deck outside the Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills. (Some consider that there are better alternatives for views, including the Tokyo SkyTree tower Sumida ward which is twice as high, or the Shinjuku's Metropolitan Government Building observatory instead). (updated Feb 2024) 2 Zōjō-ji Temple (増上寺), Shibakoen 4-7-35 (Toei Mita Line Onarimon station). This grand old temple is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū sect and houses the graves of 6 of the Tokugawa shoguns, but is a little off the beaten track and is rarely visited by tourists. Particularly beautiful around cherry blossom time. It hosts a variety of religious and non-religious festivals throughout the year. (updated Feb 2024) 3 Sengaku-ji (泉岳寺), Takanawa 2-11-1 (Toei Asakusa Line Sengakuji station exit A2), [email protected]. A temple most famous as the resting place of the 47 Rōnin, a famous group of samurai who banded together to avenge their unfairly slain master. Having obtained the head of the offender, they brought it to this very temple and then were condemned to commit ritual suicide, like their master. The story is told in Chūshingura, the best-known of all Kabuki plays. History aside, the temple isn't much to look at, but the small museum has artifacts from the event and after, including wooden statues of all the ronin, the banner that the ronin posted during their raid, original letters, and the r

體驗活動

Tokyo Cruise (水上バス 東京湾クルーズ (waterborne bus Tokyo Bay cruise)). Plies the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay between Hamamatsucho, Odaiba, Asakusa and other points. Fares vary depending on routing.

購物

1 Tokyo Island (東京愛らんど Tōkyō Airando), 1-12-2 Kaigan (in Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal), ☏ +81 3-5472-6559. Daily 09:00-22:30. Antenna shop of Izu Isands and Ogasawara Islands. 2 Azabu-Jūban (麻布十番). A quieter commercial district to the southeast of Roppongi Hills, and a good place to spend a lazier afternoon browsing through shops and enjoying the local cafés. The surrounding residential area is popular among professional expats, so expect to see many international families as you walk through. 3 Japan Sake and Shōchū Information Center (日本の酒情報館 nihon no sake jōhōkan), 1-1-21 Nishi-Shinbashi (10 min from Shimbashi station), ☏ +81 3-3519-2091. M-F 10:00-18:00, closed weekends and holidays. This four-story complex run by the Central Brewers' Union sells anything and everything related to sake, including cups, glasses, books, hydrometers and, of course, the nectar itself. \315/515 gets you a taste of 3/5 sakes that change daily.

美食

Budget Lunch boxes from supermarkets is another good option to save some money

1 Daiei, Azabujuban 2-5-9 (between Azabujuban station and Hills, at the middle of Azabujuban's shopping street). 7:00-27:00. Two floors of food, drinks and more. One of the cheapest supermarket in the whole area. 2 Kua'aina, Minami-Aoyama 1-10-4 (off of Omotesando), ☏ +81 3-3409-3200. Daily 10:00-23:00. Hawaiian hamburgers, order-at-the counter from a picture menu with English. Meal sets are available for ¥1000, higher after 17:00.

Mid-range 3 Worldstar Cafe, 5-1-3 Roppongi, B1F Goto Bldg. Daily 11:00-06:00 daily. Popular with business people or singles during lunchtime. Meal sets are ¥980–1200, comes w/ main, salad, drink; main being spaghetti, etc. Useful for a late night spot to hang around, since they're open until 06:00. 4 Gonpachi (権八), Nishi-Azabu 1-13-11 (Nishi-Azabu crossing, 5 min from Roppongi station), ☏ +81 3 5771-0170. This lively and popular izakaya, with a spectacular spacious interior and high-profile location, has served luminaries such as George W. Bush and former Prime Minister Koizumi, and was the model for the battle scene in Quentin Tarantino's film Kill Bill. (The owner turned down the director's request to use the place itself.) Apart from this, it is a chain, so prices are reasonable food is not special, with all-you-can-drink deals from ¥1500, noodles and rice dishes for under ¥1000 and 6-course menus from ¥3500. Make reservations and expect to see a lot of foreign visitors. 5 Sarashina (麻布永坂 更科本店), ☏ +81 3-3584-9410. One of the most famous restaurants for soba (buckwheat noodle). Try the various noodles they have, for instance egg noodles, with different colors. Their factory is still across the road despite sky-rocketing real estate prices. ¥2000 for lunch. (updated May 2015) 6 Tony Roma's, 5-4-20 Roppongi (next to Hard Rock Cafe), ☏ +81 3 3408-2748. Step out of Japan and into the United States; the bilingual staff and English-only menu might make yo

住宿

Mid-range

Splurge 1 Hotel Okura, 2-10-4 Toranomon, ☏ +81 3-3582-0111, fax: +81 3-3582-3707. Luxury hotel that has been host to many celebrities since its opening in 1962. From ¥57,000. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo (シェラトン都ホテル東京), 1-1-50, Shirokanedai, ☏ +81-3-3447-3111. Reasonably swish hotel. Good for a layover with its back garden and downstairs cigar bar. Probably a poor option for a tourist unless you have business in the area as it's about a ten minute walk from nearby transport and not close to attractions. (updated Mar 2017) 3 Tokyo Prince Hotel (東京プリンスホテル), 3-3-1 Shibakoen (300 m from the Aka