Part exhibitions space, part store, you can find Japanese modern, contemporary, traditional ceramics and antiques at Kurodatouen. Setting up shop in 1935 right in the heart of Ginza, the shop is still owned by the Kuroda family. They have a wide variety of ceramics and and their collection is so vast that they opened another store in Shibuya more recently. Both the Ginza and Shibuya stores feature an exhibition space from rotating artists. Even if you aren’t going to purchase ceramics, it’s definitely a unique shop to step into to check out.

Photo credit: Kurodatouen website

Address: 7-8-6 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN

Hours: Closed Mondays, 11:00am - 7:00pm

Website: https://kurodatouen.com/info?lang=en

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Shimbashi Station, Ginza Exit on the JR Yamanote Line.

 

KitKat is one of the most popular chocolate brands in Japan for several reasons. In Japanese, KitKat is pronounced Kitto Katsu which is an expression of good luck in Japan or literally “you will win”. It is often given to school children before a test as a good luck treat. Aside from this clever word play, KitKat also has over a hundred different flavors in Japan with some bizarre ones like wasabi, sake and pumpkin pudding to name a few! You can buy KitKat almost anywhere in Japan. Of course, you will come across the basic ones in supermarkets, but you can find special edition and higher quality KitKat bars in the KitKat Chocolatory.

Photo credit: Central Tokyo Tourism

Address: 3 Chome-7-2 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061

Hours: 11am - 9pm

Website: https://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Yurakucho Station Kyobashi Exit on the JR Yamanote Line.

 

Both Sakurazaka (literally cherry blossoms hill) and Keyakizaka are beautiful places lined up with cherry blossom trees. It’s a popular spot to in the spring time for cherry blossoms and the winter time for winter illuminations. At Keyakizaka, you can visit in the evening to see the iconic Tokyo Tower light up in the distance.

Photo credit: Wattention

Address: Located in Roppongi Hills

Hours: N/A

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 2 minute walk from Roppongi Station Exit 1a on the Hibiya Line

 

Another city within a city like the Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown is a massive building complex that houses shops, restaurants, office space, the Ritz Carlton, museums, park space and apartments. Within Tokyo Midtown, you can shop and eat at the Galleria - their main complex. They have delicious Japanese cuisines and high end cafes with great shopping. You can also look at the Suntory Museum of Arts or head on over to the public bar under the Ritz Carlton. It’s a place to easily kill hours on end to eat great food and browse around.

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address: 9 Chome-7-1 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052

Hours: 11am - 9pm

Website: https://en.tokyo-midtown.com/

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from Roppongi Station Exit 4b on the Hibiya Line

 

Roppongi features a venue of nightlife entertainment filled with clubs, bars, music venues and more. Acting as a center for Tokyo’s foreign-centric area, there’s no shortage for a good night of clubbing and drinking! Some famous clubs in Roppongi include V2 Tokyo, EspiritTokyo and 1OAK.

Photo credit: Tsunagu Japan

 

The Suntory Museum of Art was designed by Kengo Kuma to fuse Japanese tradition and modernity and create a space that serves as an inviting "urban living room." It is located on the third and fourth floors of Roppongi's Tokyo Midtown building. This museum's collection of 3,000 paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, dyed textiles, glassware, and more, are centered on Japanese art and the theme of "Art in Life."

The museum presents five or six themed exhibitions per year, with no permanent exhibition. It also incorporates a tearoom, museum shop and café. The museum hosts a lively roster of events such as tea gatherings and workshops.

Summary Credit: Go Tokyo

Photo Credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 〒107-8643 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 9 Chome−7−4, Inside Midtown Tokyo

Hours: Closed Tuesday, 10am - 6pm

Website: https://www.suntory.com/sma/?_ga=2.120020680.133672626.1596418115-531801853.1596418115

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Roppongi Station Exit 8 on the Hibiya Line

 

The National Art Center Tokyo is one of the five institutions organized under the  Independent Administrative Institution National Museum of Art. This museum is unique in that it doesn’t keep a permanent collection like most museums do, but rather utilizes it’s massive 14,000 square meter facility as one giant exhibition hall. The exhibitions are changing every month featuring different artists, themes and various art exhibitions.

Entrance fee: Depends on the exhibition

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Address:  7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-8558

Hours: Closed Tuesdays, 10am - 6pm (8:00pm on Friday and Saturday)

*If Tuesday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: 03-5777-8600

Website: https://www.nact.jp/english/

How to get there: The museum is directly connected to Nogizaka Stations Exit 6 on the Chiyoda Line. It is a 4 minute walk from exit 7 of Roppongi Station on the Tokyo metro Hibiya Line and Toei Oedo Subway.

 

The Mori Art Museum has been engaged in the acquisition of contemporary art works primarily from Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, amassing a total of over 400 works (as of March 2019) in a diverse range of media, including painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, video and installation.
Items from the collection in turn according to specific themes are showcased in MAM Collection program series.

Summary Credit: Mori Art Museum Website

Photo Credit: Mori Art Museum Website

Address: 〒106-6150 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome−10−1, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 53rd floor

Hours: 10am - 10pm

Website: https://www.mori.art.museum/en/index.html

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from Roppongi Station Exit 1b on the Hibiya Line

 

Roppongi Hills is one of the best examples of a city within the city. Opened in 2003 in the heart of Tokyo's Roppongi district, the building complex features offices, apartments, shops, restaurants, a hotel, art museum, observation deck and more. The office floors are home to leading companies from the IT and financial sectors, and Roppongi Hills has become a symbol of the Japanese IT industry.

At the center of Roppongi Hills stands the 238 meter Mori Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the city. While most of the building is occupied by office space, the first few floors have restaurants and shops and the top few floors house an observation deck and modern art museum that are open to the public.

Other areas of interest in Roppongi Hills include the Mori Garden just behind the tower and the Grand Hyatt luxury hotel. Numerous shopping and dining options can be found all across the complex, and there is also a large Toho Cinemas movie theater that plays both Japanese and international movies. The headquarters of TV Asahi are also located on the grounds.

Summary Credit: Japan Guide

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

Address: 6 Chome-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-6108

Hours: Varies on stores, restaurant, complex

Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/

How to get there: A 2 minute walk from Roppongi Station Exit 1a on the Hibiya Line

 

Kawagoe sits in Saitama Prefecture which lies directly above Tokyo. But don’t worry, it’s an easy and short trip out depending on what part of Tokyo you leave from. The easiest way is from Ikebukuro Station which is on the major JR Line. At Ikebukuro Station, transfer onto the Tobu Tojo Line. On this line it’s only about 3 stops away! Nice and simple. Kawagoe is also accessible from Shibuya and Shinjuku. Get onto the Fukutoshin Line. The Fukutoshin Line will change into the Tobu Tojo which is straight shot to Kawagoe. It might take an extra 30 minutes but it’s still doable.

Once you arrive at Kawagoe Station, you can go to the Tourist Info Center to ask for a one day bus pass on the Tobu Bus Lines. This can be used on any Tobu Bus and Koedo Loop Bus. Because Kawagoe does not have many trains, you’ll get around town by either the two buses or by foot. It’s definitely walk-able, especially if you’re looking for some exercise!

We recommend taking a look at Kitain Temple and then Hikawa Shrine first. These two will be easier to access by bus. From Kawagoe Station, take the bus to Kitain Temple. Then, from Kitain Temple, take the bus to Shinmeicho Shako bus stop for Hikawa Shrine. From Hikawa Shrine it’s a short walk to to Kurazukuri Street - the main attraction of Kawagoe. At Kurazukuri you can explore Candy Alley, Kanetsuki Street and Taisho Roman Dori. From here you can either take the bus back to Kawagoe Station or walk back. It’s approximately a 15-20 minute walk back.

Remember Kawagoe is a full day trip out from Tokyo. It’s not far, but make sure to arrive early (not too early or else the stores won’t be open!) to make sure you can explore this beautiful town without rushing. You can also speak to the friendly English speaking staff at the Tourist info Center at Kawagoe Station for more information and questions you may have.