Tokyo Midtown is a large combined shopping complex that’s like a condensed city. In addition to about 130 shops, restaurants, and more, it’s also home to cultural facilities like the Suntory Museum of Art and Billboard Live TOKYO. It also has a vast green space that’s home to the remains of the Azabu Residence of the Mori Family. You won’t believe you’re in the heart of the city. Whether you’re hunting the latest fashions or meeting someone for a bite, you’ll be able to spend the entire day here without getting tired by using the various art displays as your mental stimulus!

※The Suntory Museum of Art is closed for repairs. The renovations are scheduled to be complete on 2020/05/13 (Wed).

Roppongi Hills is the foremost landmark in the Roppongi area. With over 200 shops and restaurants, as well as an art gallery, cinema complex, and the Mori Garden (a Japanese-style garden), there’s something for everyone. It boasts 52 floors with an indoor overlook corridor as well as the Sky Desk, an outdoor viewing platform 270 meters above sea level. You’ll be able to enjoy sweeping views of Tokyo’s cityscape, including Tokyo Tower and Shinjuku. The night views are particularly gorgeous, with over 100 selected spots to choose from.

It’s been considered a symbol of Tokyo’s skyline for decades. With a height of 333 meters and two viewing platforms, it’s among Tokyo’s must-sees. The Main Deck is at a height of 150 meters and has a lovely cafe with a view of the Tokyo skyline. It also features the Sky Walk Window, a section with a glass floor! If you want to see an even more amazing view, head to the Top Deck. At a height of 250 meters, the scenery is sure to be intense. If you want to join the Top Deck Tour, please don’t forget to make a reservation!

This art museum’s collection includes over 3000 pieces of both Japanese National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. Among these is a collection of glasswork from both the East and the West, including pieces by Émile Gallé, Edo Kiriko-style cut glass work, and Satsuma Kiriko-style cut glass work. The museum opened in 1961 and moved to Tokyo Midtown in 2007. The museum focuses on their motto of “Linking Beauty. Blooming Beauty.” The museum is hosting an exhibit with a focus on “beauty in our daily lives”, which includes paintings, clay works, lacquer works, and glasswork. ※The museum only hosts temporary exhibits.

※The Suntory Museum of Art is closed for repairs. The renovations are scheduled to be complete on 2020/05/13 (Wed).

This is a new style of art gallery that works harder to be an “art center”. Rather than holding on to a permanent collection, the center offers exhibits on a wide variety of different art themes, including art information, materials, art collections, open galleries, and other programs. It boasts the largest exhibition space in Japan and was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The building is complete with a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Entry to the center is free. ※There may be varying entrance fees for certain exhibits.
https://www.nact.jp

This international modern art museum is on the top floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. They hold a wide variety of different exhibitions and projects, including topics like the world’s more radical artwork, architecture, and design. There are no holidays during exhibitions and the museum frequently hosts related programs and events. It’s a place where people from all over can be moved by the arts. The msueum is open until 22:00, with the exception to Tuesdays.

Izumo Taisha is dedicated to Ookuninushi, the Shinto deity of marriage. While the main shrine is located in Shimane Prefecture, this is the only shrine in Tokyo sharing the deity. This eastern branch was established in the early days of the Meiji Period. Not just dedicated to the fates of men and women, the shrine benefits a wide array of good matches. Just like at the main shrine in Izumo, you can obtain the same items like their omamori (protective charms), ema (votive tablets), and red-white threads of fate. The shrine manners still follow the same pattern you’d find in Izumo: two bows, four claps, one bow.

This enshrinement has over 1000 years of history. The present shrine was built by the 8th generation shogun, Yoshimune Tokugawa, and has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the metropolitan government of Tokyo. The enshrined deity here is Susanoo-no-Mikoto and his wife, Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto, as well as the deity Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, to whom you can pray to for fulfillment in difficult romantic relationships. Every month, the shrine hosts an En-Musubi-Mairi (a prayer festival for good matches in all kinds of relationships). After praying, worshippers can receive a shiawasemikushi (a ceremonial comb) and protective charm pouch. Formal prayers are reservation-only, so please check out their website for more information.

This shrine is in the interest of those looking to pray for a good marriage or for business prosperity. It’s also home to one of Edo’s (Old Tokyo’s) big three festivals: the Sanno Matsuri! Hie Shrine has a lovely torii gate corridor that’s sure to be a highlight in your memories. The shrine is also unique for having monkey spirits as its guardians, as opposed to the more common guardian lion-dogs. The ema (votive tablets) and omamori (protective charms) sold here have monkeys depicted on them as well. Another special trait of this shrine is it features Inome (literally “boar’s eyes”) all over the structures, which are applied to ward off evil. Searching for these heart-shaped engravings is something to look forward to!