Roppongi 六本木

Roppongi Area Guide

Located in the Minato district, Roppongi is a part of Tokyo well known for its nightlife. As well as it’s nightlife it offers excellent shopping, dining and museums with its huge Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown during the daytime too. The two centers are less than 15 minutes' walk from each other, and the National Art Center Tokyo, completing the "Roppongi art triangle" that roughly encompasses the area.

Roppongi means "six trees", probably in reference to the six daymio families who had settled there during the Edo period (1603-1868).  

Roppongi served as a residential base for American soldiers who stayed behind after the Second World War. Since then, foreigners have tended to congregate in Roppongi. In addition, 69 of the 127 embassies are based here. Since the 2000s, large companies have also chosen the district to set up their headquarters in Japan, like Google, Yahoo and even Apple. Roppongi has therefore become, over the years, a real melting pot where there are many expats.  

Roppongi's nighttime dazzle is focused around Roppongi Intersection, right near the two Roppongi subway stations (Hibiya Subway Line and Oedo Subway Line). The innumerable clubs and bars that make up Roppongi's nightlife are nearly all no more than about 5 minutes' walk from here.

Tokyo Midtown

Tokyo Midtown is a city-within-a-city that opened in 2007. Tokyo Midtown is a six-building complex on ten hectares of land, dominated by the massive Tokyo Midtown Tower: Tokyo's tallest building. Tokyo Midtown has the five-floor Galleria shopping complex, museums and galleries, including the Suntory Museum of Art, gardens, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Midtown Tower's top floors.

Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills is another city-within-a-city dominated by the 54-story Mori Tower. Besides apartments and offices, Roppongi Hills features a huge range of stores, restaurants, and cafés, as well as cinemas, a hotel, a museum, an outdoor amphitheater, and some parks.

National Art Center Tokyo

The National Art Center, Tokyo (Kokuritsu Shinbijutsukan) is Japan's largest exhibition space with an emphasis on modern painting and sculpture both Japanese and international. This modernist glass structure was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa. 

Roppongi Entertainment - Bars & Restaurants

Roppongi is home to hundreds of bars, restaurants and cafes and has had something of an international feel since the 1950s, with many foreigners opening businesses here to serve the local foreign community. Roppongi is also well-known for its hostess bars and love hotels.

Is Roppongi safe?

Tokyo is the safest capital in the world. The crime rate in Japan is very low, and you can take a leisurely stroll through the capital no matter the time of day.

However, in certain districts it is best to exercise caution during the evening: among them Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district and Roppongi. Nothing dangerous in itself (far from it!), but some precautions should be known and considered when going out in the evenings in these areas.

Be wary of establishments solicited by street promoters, they will speak to you in English, and try to get to visit their establishment. These clubs are very expensive and can overcharge you, which can lead to unpleasant surprises when paying the bill ...

Roppongi also had some cases of theft in certain bars. These cases remain rare but deserve to be mentioned. To avoid credit card theft in particular, always watch your drink, and do not follow anyone in a private bar or club. It is also best not to go out with your bank card - only with cash.

Keep in mind, however, that these things are rare, and that the vast majority of night owls enjoy the neighborhood in peace!