Roppongi, a representative international district of Tokyo. Along streets lined with towering buildings, you’ll find Tokyo’s top-tier brand shops, high-end restaurants, and luxurious hotels, as well as many tasteful cultural facilities, making it a perfect destination for mature adults to spend quality time.
This article compiles must-visit popular attractions, essential shopping facilities, transportation information, and other travel tips for when you visit Roppongi, wishing everyone an elegant Roppongi journey.
Table of Contents
- What Kind of Place is Roppongi?
- 6 Must-Visit Spots in Roppongi
- 2 Classic Shopping Facilities in Roppongi
- Frequently Asked Questions About Roppongi Sightseeing
- Conclusion
What Kind of Place is Roppongi?
Roppongi is located in the northern part of “Minato Ward,” one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards, and is one of Tokyo’s leading high-end districts.
Many large IT companies, multinational corporations, and various embassies are concentrated here, making it known as a gathering place for high-income earners. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that many people living in Roppongi are wealthy.
During the day, you can visit Japanese gardens to see the scenery or explore cultural facilities such as art museums and museums; in the afternoon, you can go shopping at commercial facilities that gather top-tier brands; and in the evening, there are extremely luxurious restaurants and bars where you can enjoy an elegant Tokyo night. If you want to experience Tokyo’s high-end lifestyle, it’s recommended to take a walk around Roppongi.
When is the Best Season to Visit Roppongi for Sightseeing?
Roppongi, with its large commercial facilities and numerous cultural institutions, offers enjoyment of shopping, gourmet food, and art throughout the four seasons.
Visiting at any time is nice, but the recommended sightseeing season is winter.
Usually, from early November to the end of December, the entire street is adorned with illuminations in the evening. After entering December, Christmas markets are also typically held, allowing you to enjoy strolling, shopping, and delicious food in a magical atmosphere.
Roppongi Seasonal Clothing Guide
Spring (March - May): Light jacket, thin sweater Summer (June - August): Light clothing, short sleeves Autumn (September - November): Light jacket, coat Winter (December - February): Coat, wool suit, thick sweater and jacket
How to Get to Roppongi?
Below are the transportation methods and required times from major stations in Tokyo to “Roppongi Station.”
All routes can be reached within 30 minutes, making transportation quite convenient.
From Tokyo Station: Take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Ginza Station, then transfer to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, about 15 minutes. From Shinjuku Station: Take the Toei Oedo Line, about 10 minutes. From Ueno Station: Take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, about 30 minutes. From Shinagawa Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Ebisu Station, then transfer to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, about 25 minutes. From Shibuya Station: Take the Tokyu Toyoko Line to Nakameguro Station, then transfer to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, about 15 minutes. Main Means of Transportation for Roppongi Sightseeing
The main shopping areas and tourist attractions in Roppongi are concentrated around Roppongi Station, making it easy to get around on foot.
There are many domestic and international tourists around the station, as well as many business people, so it can sometimes be difficult to hail a taxi.
6 Must-Visit Spots in Roppongi
Roppongi is known for its many facilities that emphasize yohaku (negative space), offering an elegant atmosphere and a rich cultural and artistic vibe. We’ve carefully selected six must-visit spots from among them to introduce to you.
1. The National Art Center, Tokyo
A key characteristic of The National Art Center, Tokyo, is that it doesn’t house a permanent collection. Instead, it constantly changes its exhibits, hosting a wide variety of art exhibitions on different themes, featuring works from both Japan and overseas.
Within its vast 14,000 square meter exhibition space, you’ll find 12 galleries, an art library, restaurants, cafes, and a museum shop. The building’s futuristic design, based on the concept of a “museum in the forest,” is also a highlight worth seeing.
2. Mori Art Museum
Located on the 53rd floor, the very top of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, is the Mori Art Museum. Roppongi Hills was conceived as a “Cultural Heart of the City,” and this museum bears the important responsibility of allowing people to experience the culture of our time.
It hosts a rich and diverse range of special exhibitions, offering unique perspectives on the world’s most cutting-edge art, architecture, design, and more. A distinctive feature of the Mori Art Museum is that it’s not just a place to display art, but also a venue for dialogue and exchange.
3. Roppongi Hills Observation Deck
The Roppongi Hills Observation Deck includes “Tokyo City View,” an indoor observation corridor located on the 52nd floor, 250 meters above sea level.
The “Tokyo City View” indoor observation corridor on the 52nd floor features high ceilings and 360-degree panoramic windows. From here, you can take in breathtaking views of the entire Tokyo cityscape.
4. Mohri Garden
Located within Roppongi Hills, Mohri Garden is an urban oasis where you can pause and take a break amidst the hustle and bustle. Covering 4,300 square meters, this expansive stroll-style Japanese garden features a pond, waterfall, stream, and river. Besides the landmark 25-meter-tall giant ginkgo tree, the garden also has cherry trees and maple trees, allowing visitors to enjoy the seasonal scenery, such as cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn leaves.
5. Suntory Museum of Art
The Suntory Museum of Art was established in 1961 in Marunouchi, Tokyo, by Keizo Saji, the then-president of Suntory. It later moved to the Suntory Building in Akasaka in 1975 and then relocated and reopened in its current location in “Tokyo Midtown” in 2007, designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The building extensively uses materials like wood and washi (Japanese paper), transforming it into a warm and relaxing Japanese-style space filled with a natural ambiance.
Adhering to its founding philosophy of “Art in Life,” the museum houses a collection of approximately 3,000 items, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
6. Roppongi Keyakizaka Street
As the name suggests, Roppongi Keyakizaka Street is a sloping street lined with keyaki (zelkova) trees. This keyaki-lined avenue, approximately 400 meters long, features elegant flowerbeds and is flanked by various stylish shops, making it a recommended spot for a stroll in Tokyo. The breathtaking view of Tokyo Tower seen from the Keyakizaka pedestrian bridge is also a superb photo opportunity.
Furthermore, from late November to around the Christmas period in December each year, the “Keyakizaka Illumination” event is held, a representative winter spectacle of Tokyo. Anyone can freely stroll here and admire the elegant, silvery-white illuminations.
2 Classic Shopping Spots in Roppongi
Compared to other areas in Tokyo, the various shopping facilities in Roppongi are primarily concentrated within two massive multi-purpose commercial complexes: “Roppongi Hills” and “Tokyo Midtown.” This makes it easy to navigate without worrying about getting lost. Although they aren’t far apart, both are gigantic shopping centers where you can easily spend an entire day exploring.
1. Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Hills is a mixed-use commercial complex that opened in 2003 and is a landmark representing Roppongi. The core building of Roppongi Hills, the Mori Tower, is a super high-rise office building standing 238 meters tall with 54 above-ground floors.
This immense complex is home to numerous luxury brand stores, high-end restaurants and hotels, and various cultural attractions. There are also many creative public art pieces installed throughout the surrounding area, offering plenty to see and do for a whole day.
2. Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Midtown is a mixed-use complex comprised of expansive green spaces and six buildings. Like a city within a city, it gathers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, offices, a hotel, green spaces, a museum, and more, totaling around 130 establishments and facilities.
The main shopping area, “GALLERIA,” is approximately 150 meters long and boasts a high-ceilinged space about 25 meters tall across four floors. Various shops line this spacious and comfortable arcade. The exquisite design throughout the building exudes a high-class and elegant Japanese atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roppongi Sightseeing
What is Roppongi famous for? Roppongi is known for its high-end atmosphere, international character, numerous restaurants and bars, art museums, and the Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown complexes. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking sophisticated entertainment and culture.
Is Roppongi safe at night? While Roppongi is a vibrant nightlife district, like any busy urban area, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. Generally, it is considered relatively safe compared to some other major entertainment districts, but exercising caution is always advised.
What are some free things to do in Roppongi? You can enjoy strolling through Mori Garden, admiring the architecture of The National Art Center, and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of Roppongi Crossing. Some observation decks might have free areas or specific times with free admission.
What kind of food can I find in Roppongi? Roppongi offers a diverse culinary scene, from high-end Japanese cuisine and international restaurants to casual cafes and bars. You can find everything from sushi and tempura to Italian, French, and American dishes. Is Roppongi easy to get around? Yes, Roppongi is well-connected by public transportation, primarily through the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Oedo Line at Roppongi Station. Many of the main attractions and shopping areas are also within easy walking distance of the station.
Conclusion
Above, we’ve introduced must-visit spots and shopping information for sightseeing in Roppongi. Whether you’re visiting attractions, Browse shops, enjoying gourmet food, or going to a nightclub or bar, we’re confident you’ll experience the sophisticated urban charm that represents mature Tokyo.
If you plan to enjoy Roppongi within a limited time, we recommend arranging a half-day shopping trip to either “Roppongi Hills” or “Tokyo Midtown.” At Roppongi Hills, in addition to shopping, you can enjoy the view from the observation deck or visit the in-house museum. Tokyo Midtown, on the other hand, gathers flagship stores of various top brands, and in winter, you can enjoy captivating illuminations in the evening.
Besides Roppongi, Tokyo has many other wonderful places to visit. If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, please refer to the comprehensive article below introducing Tokyo sightseeing information.