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Tokyo/Minato
Minato [1] (港区) is a ward in central Tokyo. The name means "port", referring to its seaside location, although due to reclamation many areas in the district are quite far from the sea these days.
Culture and History
Minato is a fairly sprawling ward with no single center. The following parts of Minato have their own articles:
- Odaiba, the Tokyo of the future built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay
- Roppongi, nightlife central for Tokyo's foreign population
- Shiodome, a still-growing cluster of brand new skyscrapers
Travel to Minato, visa requirements
The main train stations along the JR Yamanote line are:
- Shinbashi (新橋), connection point to the Toei Asakusa line for both Narita and Haneda Airports, plus the Ginza subway line and the Yurikamome line to Odaiba; within striking distance of Shiodome, and within a slightly longer walking distance of Ginza and Tsukiji.
- Hamamatsuchō (浜松町), terminus of the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport; the closest station on the Yamanote to both Tokyo Tower (10 min. walk) and Roppongi (25 min. walk).
Flights to Minato, airtickets
From Narita Airport
From Narita Airport to Shinbashi, you can take the JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station and take a Yokosuka Line train from the same platform one stop (70 minutes, ¥3110). This trip is free with the Japan Rail Pass.
By private rail, take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno station and change to the Ginza line for the run to Shinbashi (75 minutes, ¥2080). By regular (and potentially slower) commuter train, take the Keisei Line tokkyu service and change at Aoto station to the next Asakusa line train across the platform for the run to Shimbashi (90 minutes, ¥1160).
From Haneda Airport
Keikyu Line trains from Haneda run through to the Toei Asakusa Line and stop at Shinbashi (30 minutes, ¥610).
Minato attractions and sightseeing
- Odaiba, covered in a separate article, is a large artificial island packed with futuristic buildings that has become one of Tokyo's most happening shopping and entertainment districts.
- Tokyo Tower (東京タワー Tōkyō Tawā). [2]. Tokyo's largest tourist trap, this is a faithful 1958 replica of Paris's Eiffel Tower — except that it's 9 meters taller. Entry to the Main Observatory (150m) is ¥820, while ascending to the Special Observatory (250m) is an extra ¥600. If you've still got money in your pockets, you can burn it by visiting the Wax Museum (¥870), the Mysterious Walking Zone (¥410) or the Trick Art Gallery (¥400). Open 9 AM to 10 PM daily.
- The nearest station is Akabanebashi (5 min walk) although Hamamatsucho and Daimon are accessible through several lines and only slightly farther away.
- Tip: you'll get better views from higher up for free if you visit Shinjuku's Metropolitan Government Building observatory instead.
- Another 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 (farther away but more panoramic).
- Sengaku-ji Temple (泉岳寺), Takanawa 2-11-1 (Toei Asakusa Line Sengakuji station exit A2), [3]. Not all that much to look at, but the fascinating history makes up for it: this where the famous 47 rōnin of the true story that became the Kabuki epic Chūshingura committed ritual suicide after avenging their master's death. The graves are a popular site of pilgrimage to this day.
- Zōjō-ji Temple (増上寺), Shibakoen 4-7-35 (Toei Mita Line Onarimon station), [4]. This grand old temple is the headquarters of the Jōdō Shinshu 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.
- Capsule Tower is a famous building of Kisho Kurokawa.
City tours
- Azabu Onsen, Azabujuban 1-5-22, is one of the few natural onsen (hot springs) in central Tokyo. The lower floor, Koshinoyu, is a cheap (¥430), ultra-traditional sento bathhouse, while the upper level contains a more expensive bathing complex with saunas and relaxation rooms (¥1260 before 6pm, ¥940 until close). Closest station: Azabu-Juban (Namboku Line and Toei Oedo Line).
- The Tokyo Water Cruise [5] plies the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay between Hamamatsucho, Odaiba, Asakusa and other points. Fares vary depending on routing.
Shopping, Minato souvenirs
Roppongi's Roppongi Hills complex is currently the hottest shopping spot in town, specializing in expensive imported brands. Shiodome's Caretta Shiodome is somewhat more modest in scale but perhaps also slightly more affordable.
- Sake Plaza, 1-21-1 Nishi-Shinbashi (10 min from Shinbashi stn), tel. 03-3519-2091, [6]. 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. Open Mon-Fri 10 AM to 6 PM, closed weekends and holidays.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
The area around Shinbashi and Yurakucho is, thanks to its hordes of office workers, full of lunchtime bargains. You can easily get a filling teishoku lunch for under ¥700.
Budget
- The Shinbashi area has outlets of most major fast food chains:
- Tenya (てんや). Shinbashi 2-15-12 (JR Shinbashi, Karasumori exit). An outlet of everybody's favorite fast-food tempura chain, with tempura bowls starting from ¥500.
- Yoshinoya, the Japanese fast-food chain has several (at least two) restaurants close to the station, and Matsuya also has two restaurants near Shinbashi; get a bowl of rice and meat for ¥300-500. Very crowded at lunch-time (around 1pm).
- The New Shinbashi Building, the triangular (and certainly not new-looking) building on the west side of JR Shinbashi station, has a multitude of dark, smoky, cramped izakayas in its basement levels. Not recommended if you don't like the smell of broiled fish.
- Azabu Ramen, Minamiazabu 2-5-2 (5 minutes south of Azabu-Juban Station) is one of the better ramen shops in central Tokyo, staffed by Chinese immigrants and offering a wide selection of noodles, gyoza and other staples. One of the better cheap restaurants in a rather pricey area of Minato; a full meal will set you back about ¥800.
Mid-range
- Shabu-raku-tei (しゃぶ楽亭) Shinbashi 3-5-11, 4 min. from JR station. In the evening it's a medium-priced shabu-shabu joint, but you can get a huge lunch for only ¥1000 -- knocked down to a ridiculously low ¥800 on Mondays.
- Gonpachi (権八), Nishi-Azabu 1-13-11 (Nishi-Azabu crossing, 5 min. from Roppongi station), tel 03-5771-0170, [7]. 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 Tarantino's "Kill Bill". (The owner turned down the director's request to use the place itself). Yet prices are quite reasonable given this notoriety. Make reservations and expect to see a lot of foreign visitors.
- Don Blanco, Shimbashi 3-18-7, 3F, tel:03-5401-2066 (2 min southwest of JR station). [8] Tucked away among Korean hostess bars, a cozy joint with some of the most authentic Mexican food you're likely to find in Japan -- the owner makes regular trips to Mexico. Excellent selection of tequilas, home-made tortillas, and lucha libre wrestling masks for guests!
Splurge
- Daigo (醍醐), 2-3-1 Atago (nearest station Onarimon), tel. 3431-0811, [9]. The name means "essence of milk", a reference to the Buddha's highest teachings, and this restaurant aims for the highest standards of shōjin-ryori (精進料理), the purely vegetarian version of Japan's refined kaiseki cuisine. Located within the grounds of the Seishōji temple, all meals here are elaborate, ten-course affairs served in private rooms with a view of the lovely temple garden. With dinner courses priced at ¥15,000-19,000 per person (plus drinks, tax and service), the experience doesn't come cheap, but it just might be worth it for an unforgettable occasion — and this is still only a third of what Ginza's kaiseki joints charge. Reservations obligatory.
- Petit Point, 4-2-48, Minami-Azabu (3 min south of Hiroo station), tel 03-3440-3667[10]. Superbly prepared French cuisine; expect to pay about ¥15,000 for a full dinner.
- Shinbashi is a short taxi ride (or moderate walk) away from Tsukiji, where you can enjoy some of the best sushi in Tokyo.
Minato nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Roppongi, covered in a separate article, is a notorious nightlife district geared towards foreigners.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Mid-range
- Check In Shinbashi, 2-15-17 Shinbashi (3 min from JR Shinbashi Karasumori exit), tel. 03-3501-5100, [11]. Cramped but quite tolerable and fully-equipped singles from ¥7500, doubles from ¥10000 (weekend rates, weekdays are slightly higher). Free LAN in every room. New annex building opening nearby in June 2005.
- Tokyu Stay Shinbashi 6-20-1 Shinbashi, tel. 03-54011109, fax 03-5401-1107, [12]. Singles start at ¥9,450, doubles at ¥17,850 per night. Slight discounts are offered for extended stays. Part of the Tokyu Stay chain, these hotels are popular with business travelers. The small kitchenettes, washer/dryers, and free LAN access in all rooms makes these good value.
- Shiba Park Hotel 1-5-10 Shiba-koen, (8 min. from JR Hamamatsucho Station, 4 min. from Daimon Station, 2 min. from Onarimon Station), 03-3433-4141 [13]
- Shinbashi Atagoyama Tokyu Inn 1-6-6, Atago (7 min. from Toranomon station, 7 min. from Kamiyacho station, 7 min. from Onarimon station), 03-3431-0109 [14]
Splurge
- Hotel Okura 2-10-4 Toranomon, 03-3582-0111, fax 03-3582-3707, [15]. One of the Tokyo's grandest hotels. Rack rates begin at ¥36,750 for singles, ¥46,200 for doubles.
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