Central Tokyo
The area within and right around the JR Yamanote train loop is a mish-mash of government and corporate offices, landmarks (like
Tokyo Tower and the
Imperial Palace), and shopping districts (like Tokyo Mid-Town) that can be best described as Central Tokyo. It's the heart of Tokyo, hosting some of the city's most important sights, even if it's difficult to pin a single characteristic on this urban core.
One standout neighborhood here is Marunouchi, Tokyo's oldest financial district. This is a place clearly built to compete with the West: the broad, tree-line avenues and boulevards packed with modern boutiques and shopping arcades seem a bit out of place in Tokyo. Tokyo Station – an impressive example of classical western architecture smack dab in the middle of town – is also in Marunouchi. It's home to the impressive
Shin Marunouchi Building, home to over 150 stores.
Most people come to central Tokyo to work in the big centers like Marunouchi, Akasaka, and Aoyamaitchome, but there is one Tokyo celebrity who actually lives here: the Emperor. His digs take up a huge plot of land right in the center of the Yamanote loop, and even the subway lines don't dare encroach on his territory. Come here on the Emperor's birthday (December 23rd) or New Year's Day to gain rare access to the inner palace grounds.
Nightlife
Acaraje Tropicana
Japan Foundation Forum
ABC Kaikan
Absolut Ice Bar
Sogetsu Hall
La Tour D'Argent
Trader Vic's
Rokko An
Akasaka Act Theater
Akasaka Blitz
Otemachi Cafe
Ekki
Cardenas Charcoal Grill
Suntory Hall
Cardenas Ginza
La France
Atrium
Theater V Akasaka
Beige Tokyo
Paradiso
Fujimamas Restaurant and Bar
Belle Vue
Wabisuke
Citabria
Attractions
NHK Broadcast Museum
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Communications Museum
Rikugien Gardens
Minato City Local History Museum
Suntory Hall
Kotohiragu Shrine (Kompira-san)
Institute for Nature Study
Zempukuji Temple
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden
National Museum of Modern Art-Crafts Gallery
Tozenji Temple
Japan Foundation Forum
Toraya Museum
Imperial Palace
Nezu Institute of Fine Arts
Theater V Akasaka
Tsukiji Central Fish Market
Museum of Logistics
Transportation Museum
Nishishinagawa Onsen
Japan Sake Center
Shinagawa Aquarium
Akasaka Act Theater
Yasukuni Shrine
Myogonji Temple (Toyokawa Inari Shrine)
Hikawa Shrine
Tsukiji Honganji Temple
Zojoji Temple
Okura Shukokan Museum
Blue Sky
Nogi Jinja Shrine
Yasukuni Shrine
Restaurants
Copain Copine
Ghengis Khan Shokudo Maedaya
Giang's
Cardenas Ginza
Trader Vic's
Dachibin
Daidai
Cardenas Charcoal Grill
Ninja Akasaka
Top of the Tower
Gonpachi
Rib Room
Daiwa Sushi
Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo
Dominus
Kamakura
Citabria
Dondonju
Ekki
Grill Kitchen
Stockholm
Maison Blanche
Blue Sky
Aragawa
E-Street Bagels
Keyaki Grill
Rokko An
Belle Vue
Taikan En
Hakuraiya
Asian Table
Cardenas Chinois
Kisso
La France
Gyu-Kaku
Pizza Salvatore Cuomo
La Tour D'Argent
daidaiya
Wabisuke
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Ninja
West Park Cafe
Fujimamas Restaurant and Bar
Hayashi
Fummys Grill
Nobu
Beviamoci Su
Sekishin Tei
Senbazuru
Beige Tokyo
Garden View
Bistro La Sucre
Istana
Genjikoh
Hotels
Hotel Sunroute Asakusa
Hibiya Park Hotel
Akasaka Tokyu Hotel
Peninsula Tokyo (The)
Prince Park Tower Tokyo (The)
Ritz-Carlton Tokyo (The)
Hotel Chantilly
Asia Center of Japan
Ginza Capital Hotel Annex
Tokyo Station Hotel
Toranomon Pastoral
Sakura Hotel
Marunouchi Hotel
Hearton Hotel Higashishinagawa
Shanpia Hotel Akasaka
Ginza Capital Hotel Main
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Celestine Hotel
InterContinental ANA Tokyo
Hotel Savoy
Akasaka Prince Hotel