Roppongi
 an ever changing town
 A
new multi faceted, self contained entertainment and shopping district opened in
Tokyo in the spring of 2003. That area is now known far and wide as Roppongi Hills.
Once known solely as a land of nightclubs and bars, where streets were quiet in
the daytime and the city's youth didn't emerge until 10 or 11 in the evening,
Roppongi was truly a party till dawn locale.
Equally known for attracting foreign residents of Tokyo, people from all over
the world gathered in Roppongi to enjoy a variety of international cuisine at
restaurants and bars and the artists of today invented their own 'Roppongi culture.'
Sadly though, for a time this did single it out as an area the more ordinary Tokyoite
would perhaps hesitate to visit.
All that has now changed however, as the Roppongi Hills complex is now the talk
of the town and the centerpiece on which Roppongi now promotes itself. Old and
young alike nowadays come to Roppongi from all over Japan making Roppongi a popular
Tokyo sightseeing spot - albeit one that never sleeps.
 History
of Roppongi
The origin of the name Roppongi is unknown but it has been said that there were
once either six pines or ginkgo trees or that the local daimyo's mansions had
names related to trees during the Edo era (1603-1868). As Roppongi was then a
residential district for feudal lords it retains this glamour in the modern day
as Roppongi is still an area in which the capital's nouveau riche choose to reside.
A good many ambassadors from around the world lived in and around Roppongi in
the early 20th century and in addition to the then Japanese military base in Roppongi
before World War II such an overall combination gave the neighborhood a uniquely
international, sometimes exotic atmosphere.
Burned down by air-raids, residents of Roppongi started again amid the ashes and
over the decades Roppongi turned itself into an amusement area appealing to foreigners;
especially so after the ruins of the nearby Japanese army bases in Akasaka and
Azabu were taken over by the occupying US forces.
Roppongi
Crossing
There are always crowds of people in the front of the "Almond" cafe
at Roppongi crossing. My own favorite spot in the area is "U.Goto Florist."
Filled with the scents so stereotypical of florists and flowers, and with an atmosphere
of peace and tranquility, it is as if the hustle and bustle of the outside world
is on a different planet; a most recommended spot from those trying to escape
the rat race.
Roppongi
Hills
 Roppongi
Hills itself is a fully self contained complex featuring shops, restaurants, a
hotel, an art museum, a cinema complex, offices and a residential area that opened
in April, 2003. The vast and highly complicated labyrinth of shopping streets
and pedestrian areas is certainly a challenge and lots of fun for the adventurous.
Impossible to conquer by visiting just a few times, the attraction of 'beating
the system' will keep you coming back for more.
The following are a few of the things to see.
The Metro Hat, the main entrance of Roppongi Hills, is directly connected to Roppongi
Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. After ascending the long escalator, you reach
Roku-Roku Plaza, one of Roppongi Hills' entrance squares. A large sculpture in
the shape of a spider called Maman offers something of a surprise and is often
used as a meeting place or a relaxation spot if the sun is shining and the weather
is fine.
Standing ahead of you at this point is the "Roppongi Hills Mori Tower"
with the Mori Arts Center taking up the space from the 49th to the 53rd floor.
The Mori Art Museum, on the 53rd floor offers exhibitions of mainly contemporary
art. The attractions are not limited to the inside, though, as visitors can enjoy
a unique panoramic night view of Tokyo from a glass walled Tokyo City View Observatory
that remains open until 1 am.
Hillside is a semi-open-air street facing Mohri Garden. Asian and Oriental restaurants
line the route selling such specialty dishes as Chinese shoronpo, a favorite that
always brings in the crowds and results in long lines. Events held at the Roppongi
Hills Arena or movies in the Keyakizaka Complex which houses the VIRGINE TOHO
CINEMAS, one of the largest cinema complexes in Tokyo with impressive 9 screens,
are themselves reasons for visiting and bring people streaming in. The Mohri Garden
'Japanese Garden' on site was created atop the ruins of the Mohri Domain residence
which dated back to the Edo period. The circular building just beyond the Mohri
Garden is TV Asahi's main office building. The atrium on the first floor, its
cafe and shop are all open to the public.
 The
West Walk is an impressive galleria inside Mori Tower onto which sunlight will
shine on clear days and is host to popular shops, trendy restaurants and everyday
facilities such as banks, clinics and a post office.
Roppongi Keyakizaka Dori is a roughly 400-meter long avenue stretching east to
west with a large branch of LOUIS VUITTON in the middle. Brand shops from other
countries, older and well established restaurants and fashionable cafes stand
side by side along this street and a stroll down the gentle slope from Roppongi
Dori to Azabu-Juban, with a stop or two for shopping and tea is a popular pastime.
Various residential buildings line the avenue and dressed up locals can often
be seen walking their pooches.
Tsutaya is a convenient shop to browse through magazines while drinking coffee
bought from the in-store Starbucks, and Food Magazine is a stylish supermarket
open 24 hours a day.
To cover the area in the most efficient way possible, - Roppongi Hills Tours provides
tours over several routes to show off the local must-see sights, please note that
booking in advance is recommended. Tours are provided in English and Chinese as
well as in Japanese.
Changing
Roppongi
The Tokyo Midtown Project is under way at the former site of the Defense Agency
with the result being that yet another new town will paint another face on Roppongi
life. Roppongi's latest place to see and be seen will emerge in the spring of
2007.
Maps
 Roppongi
/ Nishiazabu
PDF 275KB
Tokyo
Railway Map
PDF 812 KB
Tokyo
Subway Map
PDF 787 KB
Links
Tokyo Metoropolitan
Government
Tokyo Convention
& Visitors Bureau
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