Things to Do

Best Things to Do in Roppongi | Tokyo

Roppongi Main

Wondering what to do on your trip to Japan? Discover the best sights and things to do as recommended by the locals.    

Sightseeing

Nogi Shrine（乃木神社）

Although it is located in the heart of the city, close to Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, you can still feel the serenity and dignity of this Shinto shrine. The shrine enshrines army general Maresuke Nogi and his wife, Shizuko Nogi. Known as the “God of Victory,” General Nogi was a major player in the Russo-Japanese War. In classical style, General Nogi committed seppuku (ritual suicide) following the death of the Meiji Emperor. Near the shrine is the former Nogi residence, where you can see a blend of Japanese and Western-style houses typical of the Meiji era.

Skyscraper

Roppongi Hills（六本木ヒルズ）

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills for short, is a huge (54-story), multi-use structure completed in 2003 by uber-developer Minoru Mori. The complex consists of an office building (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower), residential complexes (Roppongi Hills Residences), a hotel (Grand Hyatt Tokyo), the headquarters of TV Asahi, a cinema (TOHO Cinemas) and a contemporary museum. Filling out the large incremental space is a rich variety of shops, restaurants and bars. On the 52nd floor of Mori Tower, there is an observation deck called Tokyo City View which offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire city. 

Tokyo Midtown（東京ミッドタウン）

Opened in 2007, Tokyo Midtown is a large, multi-building, multi-use complex in the heart of Roppongi. At the center of the complex is Midtown Tower which, at 248 meters (814 ft), is the second tallest building in Tokyo. The top floors of the Tower are occupied by the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the most expensive and luxurious hotel in Tokyo, while the lower floors provide conference space, several exclusive shops, a medical center, and some gourmet restaurants. The main shopping area in the complex is the Galleria. It offers a variety of restaurants, a supermarket, and mostly high-end fashion stores. The Suntory Museum of Art is also with the Galeria building. Bars, cafes, and restaurants are scattered throughout the Midtown complex. Luxury condominiums and the service apartments of Midtown Gardenside are available for those whose tastes and wallets are attracted by the city-within-a city concept. The headquarters of Fujifilm and Fuji Xerox are located within Midtown West. Adjacent to Tokyo Midtown is Hinokicho Park, which was a private garden in the Edo period, and now serves as a public green space. 

Museum

Mori Art Museum（森美術館）

Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum located on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. The museum does not have a permanent collection; rather, it provides floor space for a variety of temporary exhibitions featuring the works of prominent Japanese and Asian artists. It is also involved in research and public education programs including lectures by well-known artists. The museum hosts approximately one million visitors a year. For an additional fee, one can also visit the Tokyo City View observation deck, the Sky Deck, and the Mori Arts Center Gallery. 

  • Address: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 53F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • Phone: +81-3-5777-8600
  • Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
  • Official Website: https://www.mori.art.museum/en/

Suntory Museum of Art（サントリー美術館）

Opened in 1961, the museum was originally located in Marunouchi and Akasaka, but moved to Tokyo Midtown in 2007. Based on the concept of “Art in Life,” the museum holds 3,000 works of art; mainly Japanese antiques such as paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles, with a focus on the collections of pre-war industrialists. The building, designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, is inspired by the traditional Japanese old-fashioned lattice window design known as “Muso Goshi.”

  • Address: Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • Phone: +81-3-3479-8600
  • Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Closed On: Tuesdays
  • Admission Fee: JPY1,500
  • Official Website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/sma/

The National Art Center, Tokyo（国立新美術館）

With 14,000 square meters, the National Art Center has one of the largest exhibition spaces in Japan. The art museum is unique in that it does not have its own collection. It hosts a variety of large-scale exhibits of world-class artists from many cultures, traditions, and eras. The museum also has an important educational mission. It collects, displays and provides art-related information to students of all ages. The museum building, designed by Kisho Kurokawa, is, itself, a work of art. 

  • Address: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  • Phone: +81-3-5777-8600
  • Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Closed On: Tuesdays
  • Official Website: https://www.nact.jp/english/

Fujifilm Square（フジフィルムスクエア）

Fujifilm Square is located on the ground floor of Tokyo Midtown West Tower. On exhibit are photos and cameras representing a variety of styles and periods. Permanent displays include the camera obscura, the origin of the camera, a collection of cameras from the past, and the latest in style and technology cameras. There are also, from time to time, special photo exhibitions and presentations.

Park

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park（有栖川宮記念公園）

Boasting an area of approximately 67,000 square meters, this is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. It was once the official domain of the Imperial Family before being opened to the general public in 1934. Only a short walk from Roppongi Hills, it is an urban oasis where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is close to Hiroo, a popular expat residential area surrounded by embassies and upscale residences. Aside from the spacious greenery, the park features a large pond, a children’s playground, and an excellent library. 

Food & Drink

Azabu Juban Shopping Street（麻布十番商店街）

Azabu Juban, a short walk from Roppongi, is an upscale residential area with an atmosphere of shitamachi (down-town Edo). The Azabu Juban shopping street is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops that are a blend of Edo period traditions and modern conveniences. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the street and enjoy the variety of interesting sights and experiences.

Official Website: http://www.azabujuban.or.jp/

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