Touring Akasaka

Akasaka Attractions

History and Culture: Akasaka has a history dating back to the Edo period, and many traditional buildings and cultural facilities remain. With historical shrines, temples, and the Kabuki-za Theater, visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture.

Akasaka Oji Inari Shrine: 8-11-27 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin: 1-4-7 Moto-Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hie Shrine: 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Akasaka Red Theater
TBS Akasaka ACT Theater

Akasaka is known for its upscale restaurants, taverns, and cafes. You can enjoy a wide range of food and beverage culture from Japanese cuisine to international cuisines.

Kien: Long-established restaurant serving kaiseki cuisine (Japanese meal for lunch: 2,500 yen, for dinner: 20,000 yen).
Maison de Euron: a famous nouvelle chinois restaurant

Shopping: Akasaka offers fashionable shopping with luxury brand stores, select stores, and department stores. Local shopping streets and markets are also vibrant.

Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square: Edo faceting and other traditional Japanese crafts
Houan: Aoyama Ring Ring

Night View: Akasaka is an area with beautiful night views at night. The views from the buildings and parks are particularly spectacular and romantic.

Art and Entertainment: Akasaka is home to a variety of art and entertainment venues, including museums, theaters, and live music venues. Exhibitions, plays, and live music performances are held regularly.

Sightseeing in Akasaka

Akasaka-mitsuke: Akasaka-mitsuke is a historical district that dates back to the Edo period and was one of the places that greatly influenced the modernization of Japan. Today, beautiful gardens and historical buildings remain.Akasaka Sacas: Akasaka Sacas is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. At night, the area is beautifully illuminated.Akasaka Mitsuke Mausoleum: This historical cemetery contains the graves of prominent people from the Meiji era. It is an interesting place for those interested in modern Japanese history.Akasaka ARK Hills: While lined with skyscrapers and office buildings, Akasaka ARK Hills is also home to gardens and museums, making it an area where business and culture merge. The observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city center.Akasaka Hikawa Shrine: Akasaka Hikawa Shrine is an old shrine with a red torii gate. The red torii (gateway to the shrine) is a traditional shrine with a unique atmosphere.Akasaka Biz Tower: Akasaka Biz Tower is a multi-purpose event space, restaurants, and stores. It is popular among locals and tourists.

History of Akasaka

The history of Akasaka dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Akasaka-mitsuke was an important transportation hub where Edo Castle and the Nikko Kaido (Nikko Highway) intersected. Akasakamitsuke prospered as a stopover for shoguns and feudal lords passing through.Since the Meiji era (1868-1912), Akasaka has developed into one of Tokyo’s political, cultural, and commercial centers. Akasaka-mitsuke played an important role in the modernization of Japan and was the site of many foreign delegations.Political and diplomatic center: Akasaka is home to many embassies and government facilities. Akasaka is known for its proximity to the Prime Minister’s official residence and the National Diet Building, which attracts many politicians, diplomats, and business people to the area.Akasaka is also a traditional cultural and entertainment center, with theaters for Kabuki, Noh, and Kyogen performances, as well as traditional shrines and temples scattered throughout the area.Economic Center: Akasaka is home to many corporations and business-related facilities and is considered one of the economic centers of Japan. Commercial facilities such as Akasaka-mitsuke and Akasaka Sacas also contribute to the local economy.

Akasaka-mitsuke ryotei restaurant “Kouraku” and the “Sanno Hotel” (located at the current site of the “Sanno Park Tower”) served as the headquarters of the “2.26 Incident” decisive force. After the war, the site became the “Hotel New Japan” and is now the Prudential Tower.
In 1994, the current TBS Broadcasting Center and Big Hat were completed, In 2008, the redevelopment project “Akasaka Sacas” was completed on the site of the former headquarters building, marking its grand opening.

Akasaka and Foreigners

Diplomatic: Akasaka is home to many foreign embassies and offices of international organizations. Diplomats and diplomatic personnel often work in Akasaka and they and their families stay in the area on a daily basis.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden
Embassy of Georgia
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand

Business and Economy: Akasaka is one of the business centers of Japan and is home to the Japanese branches and offices of many foreign companies. It is common for foreign businessmen and executives to work in Akasaka.Sightseeing and Leisure: Akasaka is home to many tourist attractions and entertainment venues. Foreign tourists often come to Akasaka to enjoy the sights and gastronomic delights.Foreigner-friendly services: Akasaka offers a wide range of services for foreigners, such as multilingual hotels, restaurants, and tourist information centers. These facilities and services support the stays and activities of foreign residents.Cultural Exchange: Akasaka is sometimes the site of cultural events and international exchange events for foreigners. These events provide opportunities for foreigners and Japanese to interact and share culture and language.