Akasaka, a charming and lively district of Tokyo
Akasaka is a residential and commercial district in Tokyo's Minato-ku district, located between Nagatachō and Roppongi. Formerly a district in its own right, it still houses part of the Minato-ku administration. Renowned for its charm, liveliness and many points of interest, Akasaka has a chic yet relaxed atmosphere. You'll discover grand luxury hotels, excellent restaurants and historic shrines and temples nestled in the heart of the modern city. Explore the cobbled streets, filled with traditional bars and restaurants, and let yourself be charmed by this lively district.
Location and access to the Akasaka district
The Akasaka district is ideally located in the heart of Tokyo, between the districts of Nagatachō to the north, seat of the Japanese government, and Roppongi to the south, known for its lively nightlife. With excellent transport links, it is easily accessible from the capital's main stations:
- Akasaka station on the Chiyoda line of the Tokyo metro
- Akasaka-Mitsuke station on the Ginza and Marunouchi lines
- Tameike-Sannō station on the Ginza and Namboku lines
- Numerous bus routes also run through the district
From Tokyo station, allow around 25 minutes on the Marunouchi line and then the Chiyoda line. From Shinjuku, the journey takes half an hour on the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines.
The main sites and monuments to discover in Akasaka
Despite its image as a business district, Akasaka is packed with historical and cultural sites not to be missed. As you stroll around, you'll come across the magnificent Hie-jinja Shinto shrine, nestled on a hill and accessible via a grand staircase lined with vermilion torii. Every June, the shrine comes alive during the Sannô Matsuri, one of Tokyo's three major festivals.
Alley of torii at Hie-Jinja Shrine.
DR
Not far away, the Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin Buddhist temple is also worth a visit, with hundreds of fox statues lined up in the courtyard. Another emblematic site in the district, the majestic Akasaka Palace welcomes heads of state on official visits. You can admire its neo-baroque façade from the central alley.
Akasaka Palace and its neo-Baroque style.
Wikimedia Commons
Art lovers will be delighted to visit the Suntory Art Museum, which exhibits a fine collection of ancient Japanese art (paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, etc.) in a modern-design building. Other museums, such as the Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo National Art Center, are just a few minutes' walk away.
Japanese and international companies and institutions based in Akasaka
Akasaka is home to many leading Japanese companies, including Fujifilm, Fujitsu, Hitachi and Mitsubishi Corporation. The Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) television channel has set up its headquarters in the Biz Tower, a futuristic building nicknamed the "Big Hat". Several foreign multinationals have also chosen Akasaka, including Becton Dickinson, Coca-Cola, Google Japan and Morgan Stanley.
Long considered the "embassy district", Akasaka is home to numerous diplomatic representations, including the embassies of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Spain and Syria. The Japanese Prime Minister's official residence, the Kantei, is also located on the northern edge of the district. This concentration of political and economic institutions gives Akasaka an international dimension and a certain prestige.
The gigantic TBS dish.
wikimedia Commons
Transport to get around the district and to other points of interest in Tokyo
Akasaka's central location and excellent transport links make it an ideal base for visiting Tokyo. Most of the capital's iconic sights can be reached in less than half an hour:
- Harajuku and Shibuya on the Chiyoda line (20-25 min)
- Imperial Palace and Ginza via the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines (15-20 min)
- Roppongi on foot (15 min) or by bus (10 min)
- Shinjuku via Marunouchi line (20 min)
To get around the district, you can rely on the three subway stations Akasaka, Akasaka-mitsuke and Tameike-Sannō, which provide easy access to the various points of interest. Bus routes also criss-cross the district. Don't hesitate to venture out on foot to discover Akasaka's pretty little streets!
Education in Akasaka: public schools and library
As Akasaka is a popular residential area, it boasts a number of public schools run by the Minato-ku district, from kindergarten to junior high school. Akasaka High School, on the other hand, formerly run by Tokyo City Hall, closed its doors in March 2017, after an understaffed final school year.
For families, the Akasaka municipal library is an interesting cultural resource, with its wide range of documents, books and videos to borrow. This public facility complements the many bookshops and manga stores found throughout the district.
Preserved culture and traditions in Akasaka, including Tokyo's most famous hanamachi
Behind its air of modern business district, Akasaka has preserved a fascinating cultural heritage. This is where you'll find Tokyo's most famous hanamachi, where the capital's geishas live and work. Nestled in this maze of traditional alleyways are teahouses (ochaya), performance halls and art schools where geishas perfect their skills.
Although today there are less than a hundred geisha practicing this refined ancestral art, Akasaka's geishas perpetuate the memory of the Edo period. You can attend one of their performances in a traditional teahouse, for a timeless dinner-show. A unique experience to immerse yourself in Japanese culture!
And while Akasaka looks to the future with its high-tech buildings, the district has not forgotten its roots and traditions. As you stroll around, you'll come across many small neighborhood shrines, handicraft stalls and Japanese gardens hidden away in the heart of the city... It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Tokyo of yesteryear, just a stone's throw from the capital's liveliest districts.
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
Akasakamitsuke station (Marunouchi and Ginza lines)Nagatacho station (Yurakuchi, Nanboku and Hanzomon lines)Akasaka station (Chiyoda line)
