MINATO

MINATO DISTRICTS

Daiba is a district in Minato Ward of central Tokyo. Daiba forms part of what is commonly known as Odaiba, a modern development area on an artifical island in Tokyo Bay. Daiba includes section water front area on the north eastern part of Odaiba. Daiba features many attractions including Fuji TV Studios and Aqua City Odaiba.

Roppongi is a district in central Tokyo famous for its nightlife and very popular with foreigners. Roppongi also features many of the embassies. Roppongi is located to the west of central Tokyo in the Minato Ward.

Shiba District is within the Minato ward in central Tokyo. Shiba District attractions include Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, which includes Zojoji Temple. The Minato Ward Office is locate in the Shiba District.

MINATO SHRINES and TEMPLES

Sengakuji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Soto Zen sect, which is located in Takanawa District of Minato Tokyo. Sengakuji Temple is famous as the location of the graves of the Forty-seven Ronin, who were involved in the Revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin, also known as the Revenge of the Forty-seven Samurai or Ako vendetta. Sengakuji Temple is located close to Shinagawa Station.

Zojoji Temple is a Buddhist temple in the Shiba neighbourhood of Minato Ward in Tokyo. Zojoji Temple is frequently seen in pictures with Tokyo Tower in the background.

MINATO MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

The National Art Center, located in Roppongi Tokyo, is an art gallery which mainly focuses on modern art and paintings (20th century). The National Art Center uses its 47,960 sqm to display 600 pieces. The National Art Center was opened in January 2007, in a building formerly used as a research facility by the University of Tokyo. The National Art Center building is a very modern design by Kisho Kurokawa and features a wave shape at the front of the building.

MINATO LANDMARKS

Fuji TV Studios is a distinctive building designed by Kenzo Tange is a major land mark of Tokyo. Fuji TV Studios, located in Odaiba, offers great views from its second highest floor for free. There are tours available of the tv studios themselves, which may be of interest to those who watch shows made by Fuji TV. There is an up market French restaurant within the giant ball suspended in the structure.

Statue of Liberty replica located in Odaiba.

Tokyo Tower is a Japanese icon and famous site in Tokyo. Tokyo Tower features public observation deck and café. The Tokyo Tower design is based on the Eiffel Tower, but is 333 meters tall (9 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower) making it the world's highest self-supporting iron tower.

MINATO GARDENS and PARKS

Aoyama Cemetery, located in Minato Tokyo, was Japan's first public cemetery. Today Aoyama Cemetery is a popular location for viewing cherry blossom in early April.

Kaihin Park in Odaiba is a seaside park which features one of two beaches in mainland Tokyo, but swimming is not recommended as the water is rather polluted. Along the beach runs a boardwalk dotted with couples, as this is considered the most romantic spot in Tokyo.

Shiba Park is a park in Minato Ward, Tokyo, built around the temple of Zojoji. The park is located between the Minato ward offices and the Tokyo Tower. Many of the footpaths in the park offer excellent views of the Tokyo Tower.

MINATO BRIDGES

Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Tokyo Port, located on the northernmost part of Tokyo Bay, connecting the Shibaura Wharf and the new waterfront development area, known as Odaiba in Minato ward, Tokyo.

MINATO ISLANDS

Odaiba is the common name given to a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, connected to the mainland by the scenic Rainbow Bridge. Odaiba attractions include Fuji TV Studios, Daikanransha Ferris Wheel, Telecom Center Building, Tokyo Big Sight, Museum of Maritime Science, Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari, Aqua City Odaiba, Venus Fort, Palette Town and Ariake Colosseum.

MINATO TRAIN STATIONS

Shinagawa Station, located just to the north of Shinagawa Ward in the Takanawa District of Minato Ward in central Tokyo, is one of only two stations in the Tokyo area where the Tokaido Shinkansen stops. The Tokaido Shinkansen is the busiest Shinkansen line in Japan running between Tokyo and Osaka via Nagoya and Kyoto. Shinagawa Station also services the Keikyu Main Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokaido Main Line, Yamanote Line and the Yokosuka Line.

MINATO SHOPPING

Aqua City Odaiba is a six story shopping and entertainment complex located in Odaiba. Aqua City Odaiba features a 13 screen cinema, Japan's largest gourmet zone, Sony ExploraScience and extensive range of stops including some international brands and a Disney Store.

Decks Tokyo Beach shopping mall, featuring Sega Joypolis (A giant game center / amusement arcade.) and Little Hong Kong in Odaiba.

Roppongi Hills is an expansive shopping and entertainment complex, sleek and modern, it opened with much fanfare and remains popular.