From Wikitravel

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.

[edit] Understand

Minato is a fairly sprawling ward with no single center. The following parts of Minato have their own articles:

• Akasaka, a business district and nightlife area near the government center
• 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
• Shinbashi, an older business and commercial district

[edit] Get in

• 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).

[edit][add listing] See

• Tokyo Tower (東京タワー Tōkyō Tawā). [2]. Tokyo's largest tourist trap, this was a newly re-industrialized Japan's 1958 answer to Paris's Eiffel Tower — a bit more modern-looking and 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.

[edit][add listing] Do

• The Tokyo Water Cruise [5] plies the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay between Hamamatsucho, Odaiba, Asakusa and other points. Fares vary depending on routing.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Splurge

• Petit Point, 4-2-48, Minami-Azabu (3 min south of Hiroo station), tel 03-3440-3667[6]. Superbly prepared French cuisine; expect to pay about ¥15,000 for a full dinner.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Okura 2-10-4 Toranomon, 03-3582-0111, fax 03-3582-3707, [7]. One of the Tokyo's grandest hotels. Rack rates begin at ¥36,750 for singles, ¥46,200 for doubles.

[edit] Contact