Just a stone's throw from the expat hub of Roppongi, Akasaka is an eclectic mix of old and modern, upmarket and up-and-coming, business and residential.
Served by multiple train lines and well-supplied with shops, shrines, embassies and snazzy eateries, Akasaka is a popular place both to visit and stay. While it may not be the cheapest neighbourhood in Tokyo, this hilly district has a lot to offer.
Collaborative coworking and living spaces like ninetytwo13 are being developed to house creative, tech and other (often location-independent) employees who see the potential in the area, while luxury apartment blocks are shooting up and selling for some of the highest prices seen in Japan since the bubble of the 80s.
There's plenty in between, too.
Getting in and around
In addition to Akasaka Station (on the Chiyoda Line), the broad area has five other train stations — making access convenient.
There's Akasaka-mitsuke Station, which is a port of call for the Ginza and Marunouchi Lines, Nagatacho Station on the Hanzomon Line, Aoyama-itchome Station on the Hanzomon, Ginza and Toei Oedo Lines, Nogizaka Station on the Chiyoda Line, and Tameike-Sanno Station on the Ginza and Namboku Lines.
That's a lot to remember, but the takeaway is that Akasaka is incredibly easy to get into and out of, making it a good choice of location for work and or home life for Tokyo residents. It's easy to navigate on foot, too.
The uber-trendy 'burb of Omotesando is just a couple of stops away, and Akasaka is not far from Shibuya, Azabu-juban and Ginza either.
Tokyo Midtown, Ark Hills et al
Akasaka brims with buzzy business, entertainment and shopping complexes that are busy from morning to night.
Tokyo Midtown is one such vibey place; a mega-tall mixed-use cluster of buildings that house offices, shops, restaurants, wine bars, an art gallery and creative outdoor space (21_21 Design Sight, spearheaded by Issey Miyake), among other exciting ventures. Midtown, which opened in 2007, has helped spur the expansion of apartment blocks in Akasaka.
Another top spot is Ark Hills, an urban renewal project that bridges Akasaka and Roppongi and features the acclaimed Suntory Hall (for concerts) and Ark Mori Building, where you can find, among a bunch of offices and luxury apartments, the Mori Art Museum and an observation deck with a view across Tokyo Tower and the city.
The Akasaka Sacas complex is another landmark, known for being the HQ of media giant Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and base of other media companies. People drop by to shop, eat and — in the colder months — skate around the seasonal ice rink. The surrounding area has been redeveloped in recent years.
If you're looking for entertainment, you'll never be short of somewhere to go and something to do in Akasaka.
See 10 free things to do in nearby Roppongi
Parliament and palaces
From Akasaka, the National Diet Building (Parliament) is a 5-to-10-minute walk. In keeping with the high-level theme, Akasaka is where you'll find one of Japan's two State Guest Houses (the other is in Kyoto). You can pop into the grand, Neo-Baroque-style Akasaka Palace, as long as there isn't a state function happening.
If that wasn't enough for you, Akasaka is also only a couple of kilometres from Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Did someone say fancy?
Art, shrines and other things to see
Akasaka forms part of the Art Triangle Roppongi, providing easy access to the National Art Center, Suntory Museum of Art and aforementioned Mori Art Museum, all of which are a must-see for fans of the creative — and can be visited with a central discount pass. Other, smaller galleries and museums (including the Snoopy Museum) can also be found in the area.
For those who are into nightlife, Roppongi, quite literally, has it all; you'll find bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes (and then some).
When you need to regain composure, Akasaka can offer a selection of shrines and temples — including Hikawa Shrine, Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin Temple (think foxes) and Hie Shrine (famous for its annual Sanno Festival). Zojoji Temple (and Shiba Park) are a short distance away (near Tokyo Tower).
You can also grab some chill time at green spaces like Hinokicho Park, the small Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Park, the Japanese garden at the New Otani Hotel, and nearby Meiji Jingu Gaien (an assortment of outdoor facilities rather than a park per se — also the site of the National Stadium).
In winter, Akasaka lights up with some impressive illumination displays, particularly around Tokyo Midtown. European-style Christmas markets, complete with mulled wine and stollen, add to the festive experience.
Services and supermarkets
Akasaka has a good selection of medical clinics and other health facilities, many of which are English-speaking. It also has an international pre-school and is near international schools for older children, making it a viable suburb for foreign parents in Tokyo.
Adding to the ease of living is an array of supermarkets, including budget-friendly picks like Hanamasa (for general produce) and Yamaya (for imported items).
By Carey Finn
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