Tokyo/Minato
From World travel guide
Minato (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 for the sea these days.
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Understand
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
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Get in
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).
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See
- 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). [1]. 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, nearest station Akabanebashi (5 min walk).
- 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), [2]. 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), [3]. 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.
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Do
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Buy
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, [4]. 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.
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Eat
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.
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Budget
- 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) restauants close to JR Shinbashi station. 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.
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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.
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Splurge
- Daigo (醍醐). Atago 2-4-2 (nearest station Onarimon), tel. 3431-0811. 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 ¥14,000 or ¥18,000 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.
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Drink
- Roppongi, covered in a separate article, is a notorious nightlife district geared towards foreigners.
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Sleep
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Mid-range
- Check In Shinbashi, 2-15-17 Shinbashi (3 min from JR Shinbashi Karasumori exit), tel. 03-3501-5100, [5]. 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, [6]. 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 a good value.
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Contact
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