Looking to eat, shop and explore Tokyo’s creative scene? Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is your one-stop destination for all things Tokyo. Think of your visit as a preview of what the capital has to offer, with everything from top-notch cuisine, gorgeous green spaces and galleries to live music and world class shopping. To help you navigate your way around, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite spots for you to explore…
For more information on Tokyo Midtown, visit here.
Hailing all the way from Santa Monica, California, The Counter is your go-to spot for making your own custom burger with the extensive options available. From choosing your protein to the many different toppings, sauces and even cheeses, there are so many different ways you can enjoy your meal. Don’t forget to add on one of their delicious sides like sweet potato fries, quinoa salad, or one of their customisable milkshakes and you’ll be in for a real treat.
An essential ingredient in the Japanese diet, dashi soup stock is the foundation for many delicious dishes found in Japanese cuisine. This renowned restaurant-meets-shop from Fukuoka is the perfect place to kickstart your dashi experience. Kayanoya offers a range of dashi varieties, which you can take home to cook; there’s even a restaurant on-site serving up classic Japanese dishes using its special broths. From miso soup to oden and even pasta, who knew dashi could be used in so many different ways?
Sake Shop Fukumitsuya is a great spot to try nihonshu from this Kanazawa-based brewery, as well as other products derived from sake, such as skincare, food and even amazake. Stop by the bar inside the shop and go for one of its seasonal tasting sets for an lip-smacking introduction to sake. If you’re more of a dessert person, the smooth sake ice cream makes for a sweet treat in between shopping.
Enjoy great views while savouring a fine cocktail up at The Bar, located on the 45th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. From this mesmerising location, you can watch as the award-winning bartenders whip up their signature drinks, which will go perfectly with the small plates from the bar menu. For the ultimate indulgence, order the house Diamond Forever Martini – it’s garnished with a glittering one-carat diamond. Talk about putting on the ritz.
Sit back and relax as the skilled pastry chefs at Toshi Yoroizuka create your dessert right in front of you. It’s truly a special experience; you can be sure of getting a fresh, made-to-order dessert featuring some of the best seasonal ingredients, such as strawberries in spring and chestnut in autumn. Can’t get enough of the shop? Pick up some chocolates or takeaway sweets at the front of the shop to take home with you.
Shop for a range of well-designed lifestyle essentials at Kiya Shop. Featuring classic Japanese aesthetics, this sleek store offers gorgeous goods for your home and daily life, with everything from state-of-the-art Japanese knives and lacquer bento boxes to cooking spatulas and artfully-designed sukiyaki pots. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir from your Tokyo trip or a gift for someone back home, these items are not only beautiful but also actually useful.
Spend some time getting lost amongst the engaging design exhibitions showcased at 21_21 Design Sight. Situated in the lush Midtown Garden, this space is directed by world-renowned designer Issey Miyake, graphic designer Taku Satoh, and product designer Naoto Fukazawa. The main highlight is the rotating exhibitions, which change every few months, but the space also hosts interesting talks and workshops.
Looking for that perfect souvenir? Look no further than The Cover Nippon, which carries a wide-ranging selection of Japanese items that will make you go souvenir crazy. The shop carries everything from gorgeous chopsticks, bento boxes and sake cups to art-inspired jewellery and traditional Japanese kimono in a rainbow of colours. If you’re stuck on souvenir ideas, this shop is a saving grace, where you’re bound to leave with a thing or two.
For all your beauty, fashion and lifestyle needs, make a bee line for Isetan Salone. Perfect for those who don’t get a chance to visit the main Isetan store in Shinjuku, this spacious shop offers two floors of luxury shopping, where you can pick up the latest trends from today’s prominent Japanese and international designers, as well as skincare and makeup from cult labels like Three Cosmetics, John Masters Organics and La Prairie.
Head to Billboard Live Tokyo to catch some of today’s best domestic and international artists performing live on the Billboard stage. Aside from the intimate space, Billboard offers comfortable sofa seating and quality food and beverage to make your experience even more enjoyable. It even offers a great view of the city. So, where else would you want to watch your favourite artists? Ticket information and artist line-up can be found on its monthly schedule posted online.
