Home to large commercial complexes including Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, as well as art museums and a wide variety of nightlife spots such as bars and clubs, Roppongi is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant entertainment districts.
This itinerary invites you to discover the cultured neighborhood after sunset, from museum-hopping and gorgeous night views to a late-night nightclub experience.
Catch an exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT)
Boasting one of the largest exhibition spaces in Japan, the NACT does not have its own permanent collection, instead choosing to hold special exhibitions only. Entry to the Center’s atrium is free, and the building encompasses a restaurant and three cafés, which make for excellent places to relax after viewing a stimulating exhibition.
Bask in the artsy atmosphere of a bookstore
After soaking up inspiration at a museum, satisfy your curiosity and make new discoveries at one of Roppongi’s well-regarded bookstores. Roppongi Hills is home to book dealers including Roppongi Tsutaya Books * and Bunkyodo Roppongi Hills *. The former stocks a plentiful selection of books on design, fashion, art, and more, while the latter carries a variety of high-end stationery and fun knick-knacks in addition to ample literary offerings.
*After being redirected to the external site, please select your desired language using the language selection button.
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Have dinner in cosmopolitan Roppongi
In part due to the many foreign embassies in its surroundings, Roppongi has become noted for its diverse and international selection of restaurants. One of the best places to enjoy this culinary abundance is Roppongi Hills *, where you’ll find everything from ramen eateries to refined restaurants specializing in Japanese, Italian, French, or Chinese cuisine. All you need to do is stroll the walkways and choose a spot that fits your mood.
*After being redirected to the external site, please select your desired language using the language selection button.
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Admire the nocturnal city at Tokyo City View
After dinner, take the elevator up to the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills and Tokyo City View. The floor-to-ceiling windows of this observatory provide an impressive 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Tokyo at night. Tokyo City View doubles as a gallery, where a diverse range of exhibitions themed on urban entertainment complement the stunning vistas.
One floor up
Catch one more show at the Mori Art Museum
Located on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills, the Mori Art Museum organizes world-class special exhibitions focused mainly on global trends in contemporary art, as well as collection exhibitions and film screenings. It stays open until 10 PM every day except for Tuesdays, allowing for leisurely visits long after dinner.
Encounter public art
There are numerous public artworks around Roppongi Hills, including the giant spider sculpture “Maman” right in front of the entrance. Many of the pieces look especially stunning at night, so keep your eyes peeled as you head to your next destination.
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Down a drink at a listening bar
Roppongi boasts a wide variety of music-focused bars; some play vinyl records on finely tuned sound systems, while others feature live jazz. Pull up, order a drink, and lose yourself in music for a moment before planning out your final stop for the night.
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Dance the night away at a club
When you’re looking to party, few parts of Tokyo offer as many options as Roppongi. Its nightclubs stay open long after the last trains have departed, often keeping the party going until sunrise the next morning. Roppongi’s clubs range from intimate venues with room for around 100 revelers to massive entertainment complexes able to accommodate crowds of up to 1,000. As for music, the variety is equally broad—hip hop and R&B are just as well represented as EDM and techno.
