Notable Districts
Many important districts are located in Tokyo's special wards:
- Akasaka
- A district with a range of restaurants, clubs and hotels; many pedestrian alleys giving it a local neighbourhood feel. Next to Roppongi, Nagatachō, and Aoyama.
- Akihabara
- A densely arranged shopping district popular for electronics, anime culture and otaku goods.
- Aoyama
- A neighborhood of Tokyo adjacent to Omotesando with parks, trendy cafes, and international restaurants.
- Ginza and Yūrakuchō
- Major shopping and entertainment district with historic department stores, upscale shops selling brand-name goods, and movie theaters.
- Harajuku
- Known internationally for its role in Japanese street/teen fashion.
- Ikebukuro
- The busiest interchange in north central Tokyo, featuring Sunshine City and various shopping destinations.
- Jinbōchō
- Tokyo's center of used-book stores and publishing houses, and a popular antique and curio shopping area.
- Marunouchi and Ōtemachi
- As one of the main financial and business districts of Tokyo, Marunouchi includes the headquarters of many banks, trading companies and other major corporations. The area is seeing a major redevelopment in the near future with plans for new buildings and skyscrapers for shopping and entertainment constructed on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station
- Nagatachō
- The political heart of Tokyo and the nation. It is the location of the Diet (parliament), government ministries, and party headquarters.
- Odaiba
- A large, reclaimed, waterfront area that has become one of Tokyo's most popular shopping and entertainment districts.
- Omotesandō
- Known for upscale shopping, fashion, and design
- Roppongi
- Home to the rich Roppongi Hills area, Mori Tower, an active night club scene, and a relatively large presence of Western tourists and expatriates.
- Ryōgoku
- The heart of the sumo world. Home to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan and many heya.
- Shibuya
- A long-time center of shopping, fashion, nightlife and youth culture. Shibuya is a famous and popular location for photographers and tourists.
- Shinagawa
- In addition to the major hotels on the west side of Shinagawa Station, the former "sleepy east side of the station" has been redeveloped as a major center for business.
- Shinbashi
- An area revitalized by being the gateway to Odaiba and the Shiodome Shiosite complex of high-rise buildings.
- Shinjuku
- Location of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and often regarded as the "center" of Tokyo. The area is known for its concentration of skyscrapers and shopping areas. Major department stores, electronics stores and hotels are located here. On the east side of Shinjuku Station, Kabukichō is known for its many bars and nightclubs. Shinjuku Station moves an estimated three million passengers a day, which makes it the busiest rail station in the world.
- Ueno
- Ueno is known for its parks, department stores, and large concentration of cultural institutions. Ueno Zoo and Ueno Park are located here. Ueno Station serves commuters to and from areas north of Tokyo. In the spring, the area is a popular locale to view cherry blossoms.
Read more about this topic: Special Wards Of Tokyo
Famous quotes containing the words notable and/or districts:
“a notable prince that was called King John;
And he ruled England with main and with might,
For he did great wrong, and maintained little right.”
—Unknown. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury (l. 2–4)
“Cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them.... for really new ideas of any kind—no matter how ultimately profitable or otherwise successful some of them might prove to be—there is no leeway for such chancy trial, error and experimentation in the high-overhead economy of new construction. Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.”
—Jane Jacobs (b. 1916)