The Honest Truth: If you love nightlife or luxury, this is your spot. It’s the most
foreigner-friendly district in Tokyo. You can walk into almost any bar or restaurant and get by with
English.

But be warned: it lacks the “chaotic youth energy” of Shibuya or Shinjuku. It feels more grown-up,
sometimes a bit “bubble era,” and definitely wealthier. By day, it’s all about high-end business and
museums. By night, it’s a mix of upscale dining and wild partying until 4 AM.

The Catch: The name “Roppongi” literally means “Six Trees,” but it should mean “Six
Hills.” Dragging luggage here is not fun. Take a taxi. Also, at night, ignore the
street touts completely. Just keep walking.

Best for: Night owls, art lovers, and those who want a touch of Western comfort in
Tokyo.

Perfect for:

• Night Owls: If you plan to stay out until 4 AM, stay here. Taxis are everywhere,
  but walking home is better.
• English Speakers: If you’re nervous about the language barrier, Roppongi is your
  safety net.
• Luxury Travelers: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, and nicer business hotels are all
  here.
• Art Lovers: The “Art Triangle” (Mori Art Museum, National Art Center, Suntory
  Museum) is walkable.

Watch out for:

• Hills everywhere: The name “Roppongi” (Six Trees) comes from the hilly terrain—not
  ideal for heavy luggage.
• Touts at night: Near Roppongi Crossing, you’ll encounter persistent club touts.
  Just ignore them completely.
• No JR lines: Only Metro and Toei lines serve this area—plan your routes
  accordingly.
• Taxi is your friend: Hills everywhere, narrow sidewalks, and Google Maps won’t show
  you the slopes. Dragging luggage is brutal. Taking taxis also puts Shibuya within easy reach (~10-15
  min). Use the GO app.

① Roppongi (六本木)

• Roppongi Hills: Observation deck, Mori Art Museum, cinema, and huge variety of
  shops.
• Tokyo Midtown: A more relaxed luxury complex. Great park behind it for coffee
  breaks.
• Azabudai Hills: The new landmark (2023). Home to teamLab
  Borderless.
• Pro Tip: Need supplies? Don Quijote Roppongi is iconic, chaotic,
  and has a giant fish tank. For groceries, check out Meidi-ya (Roppongi Hills) or
  Precce (Midtown) for high-end imports.

② Akasaka (赤坂)

• More business-oriented and quieter than Roppongi.
• Akasaka-mitsuke Station: Best transit hub—Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line cross
  here.
• Countless restaurants and izakayas catering to office workers. Great for “real” Japanese dining.
• Better value hotels with excellent train access.

③ Azabu-juban (麻布十番)

• Charming local shopping street with a mix of traditional crackers (senbei) and modern cafes.
• Home to many embassies—very international residential area.
• Walking distance to Tokyo Tower.
• Vibe: It feels like a wealthy European village dropped into Tokyo. Highly
  recommended for a stroll.

Luxury (¥50,000+/night)

Upscale Design (¥20,000-50,000/night)

Business/Value (¥10,000-20,000/night)

Key stations

• Roppongi Station: Hibiya Line, Toei Oedo Line
• Akasaka Station: Chiyoda Line
• Akasaka-mitsuke Station: Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line (best transit hub)
• Azabu-juban Station: Namboku Line, Toei Oedo Line

Travel times from Roppongi

Tip: Akasaka-mitsuke is the area’s secret weapon for transit. If you stay near here, you
have the Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line—the two most useful lines in Tokyo.