Welcome to Shiba District Shimbashi and Toranomon areas in Shiba district consist of many office buildings, and have become one of the major business districts of Japan. They are vibrant and bustling with business activities both morning and night on weekdays. But these areas ! were the towns where fishery once prospered. A little way off from the office areas, there are many sights such as Tokyo Tower and Takeshiba Pier, and historic temples such as Zojo-ji temple, the gate of which is a designated national cultural property. It is the Minato City district where the present and past coexist. Course around Shiba District A Shiba course – a historic sightseeing course where you can feel the Edo period B Shimbashi course – a course that goes around the areas where What kind of place is Minato City? the Japanese railway originated see page 08-11 Japan Minato City, Tokyo, is located in one of the central Tokyo metropolitan areas filled with attractions that are characteristic of Tokyo. It is divided into five districts: Shiba district, Azabu district, Akasaka district, Takanawa district, and Shibaura-Konan district. There is an office town, a commercial area, a red light district, a residential area, and a large-scale development district coexisting within Minato City, and many historic sightseeing places such as historically important temples, the Daimyo Yashiki (House), and gardens still remain. Inside the district, there are many representative sights of Tokyo, such as Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park, Akasaka State Guest House, Rainbow Bridge, and Odaiba, and also many attractive shopping areas such as Roppongi shopping street, and Azabu Juban. Tokyo Shinjuku City Azabu District Minato City Chiyoda City In the Azabu district, you can catch a glimpse of the old government agencies and new residential areas on the higher grounds, as Akasaka District well as the downtown city center along the Furukawa river. These well-known areas and the famous restaurants found here are often featured on television and in magazines. In fact, however, it is said that this is an old residential area where many samurai residences were located in the Edo period (from the first half of the 17th century to 1868. With the passing of time, the historic sites where those residences once stood are now used as embassies for various countries. Therefore, Azabu district is also one of the districts in Minato City where many embassies can be found. Shopping facilities and galleries have sprung up in recent years, but you will find the residential areas once you enter the narrow streets. Azabu Chuo District Shiba City Shibuya City District Course around Azabu District C Azabu course – a course of historical and traditional Azabu sights D Roppingi course – a course where you can experience the arts see page 12-15 Large-scale urban development has been Meguro carried out in recent years, Takanawa and Roppongi Hills, Shiodome Sio-Site, City District Tokyo Midtown, Akasaka Sacas, and Toranomon Hills have opened, Shibaura-Konan Tokyo Bay and these areas have been further developed. District It is also characterized by many famous universities, embassies, museums and galleries. Daiba Shinagawa Let’s take a walk around Minato City with its District many attractions. City Koto City 02 03 Akasaka District Shibaura-Konan District The State Guest House and Japanese-style restaurant street were built in the Akasaka district during the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Shibaura-Konan district is where many canals flow into. It is also a distribution hub where cranes and warehouses unload cargos After the Second World War ended in 1945, many tall buildings were erected around Aoyama Street and the Tokyo Metro station. from the sea. The areas where the current JR Shinagawa and Tamachi stations stand were also reclaimed after the Meiji era (1868 - Japanese and Western restaurants opened successively, and it developed into a glamorous downtown area crowded with many 1912) though these areas were a part of the sea until the Edo period (the first half of the 17th century - 1868). The district became foreign embassies, as well as celebrities, fashion models and cultural figures who are representative of their respective fields. There a key area for land development, including land reclamation, and Odaiba is one such area. Recently, high-rise apartments have also are also many boutiques and hair salons in Aoyama, which is aptly known as a fashion district. been built on this reclaimed land. Various transportation networks have been developed in this district; in addition to the monorail and Yurikamome, there is also a water bus that connects Odaiba and the Sumidagawa river. Course around Akasaka District E Akasaka course – a course where you can explore the charms of Akasaka, interwoven with the traditional and the contemporary Course around Shibaura-Konan District F Aoyama course – a course for experiencing the culture and arts of Aoyama J Konan course – a course offering enjoyment along the canal waters as well as nature G Gaien Course – a course that touches on the history of Meiji period see page K Shibaura / Odaiba course – a course exploring tourist attractions in the Bay Area 16-21 see page 26-29 Takanawa District They are those tour areas! Minato City Kokuritsu-kyogijo Sta. Yotsuyauyauyya Sta.StStataa. Area Map The Takanawa district has distinctly different characters in the western and eastern parts of the district. The Shirokane area located in the west has many residential streets, and has a rich natural environment that includes the old Shirokane Goryochi (a nature education park located in the Institute for Nature Study, National Museum of Nature and Science), which has been designated as G a natural monument and historic Site. Meanwhile, in the Takanawa area in the east, there are many historic relics such as the old GaienmaeGGaienmGaieennmmaaeae Sta.StStata. E Takanawa Okido site, which was the entrance to the south of the Edo City, as well as many temples and cultural properties. One NogizakaNoooggizagizakaizizazakakStk Sta.StStata. of these is Sengakuji, where the tomb of Ako Roshi (members of the forty-seven ronin who participated in the Ako incident), made Omote-sando Sta.StStata.ta. F RoppongiRoppRooppppongpoonnggii Sta.St Stata. famous through Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), is located. D Kamiyachoachoacachchohoo Sta.StStata. B ShimbashiSShhimb Sta. Azabu-jubanjbjubanbbaan Sta.SStSta ta. Course around Takanawa District C Akabanebashi Sta. HamamatsuchoHamHaam Sta. H Takanawa course – a course that goes around key areas of Takanawa’s history, and an aquarium A Notes I Shirokane course – a course for seeking out relaxation in a rich natural environment, Shirokane-takanawaanne-e-t-takanawa-tatakannawawawwa Sta.StStatta Tamachi Sta. and for nurturing one’s sensitivity at Platinum Street * This map has been created based on the answers from each see page 22-25 facility collected at a survey conducted in 2018. Shirokanedai Sta.StStata.ta. I K * Travel time for each route is based on an estimate of one minute Sengakujiakujiakujikukujuji Sta. StStata. per 60m. (However, additional travel time is included for a part of the Takanawa route in consideration of the slopes on the route.) H * We recommend checking the latest facility information by phone, etc. before starting on the tour. Shinagawaggawawawaw Sta.StStata. J * In principle, prices on this map include tax. * For facilities that state“ discounts available for handicapped persons” or“ free of charge for handicapped persons,” we recommend checking the details with the facility as the terms and Daibaa Sta.SStStattaa. K conditions vary for each facility. * Apart from regular holidays, facilities may also be closed for other reasons, such as seasonal holidays or the closing of museums for the replacement of exhibits. We recommend checking with each facility beforehand. 04 05.