The Best Things to See and Do in Minato, Tokyo

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JAPAN
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Things to Do
Nezu Museum | © scarletgreen/Flickr
Nezu Museum | © scarletgreen/Flickr
Photo of Alicia Joy
Alicia Joy
Tokyo Writer30 May 2017
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From some of the city’s best art museums to unique historic landmarks, we’ve picked out the best things to see and do in Tokyo‘s Minato Ward.

Tokyo Tower

Building
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower | © Taro Tokyo/WikiCommons
Tokyo Tower was the city’s original skyline landmark. These days, the Tokyo Skytree is taller by leaps and bounds, but Tokyo Tower remains an impressive rendition of France’s Eiffel Tower and a classic symbol of Tokyo. Ascend the tower, and take in the city from one of the observation decks.

Aoyama Cemetery

Cemetery, Shrine
Grave of Nobuaki Makino and his wife, Aoyama Cemetery
Grave of Nobuaki Makino and his wife, Aoyama Cemetery | © Lombroso/WikiCommons
Aoyama Cemetery is one of the largest in the city. Visit the graves of literary greats, late politicians, and militants like Nogi Maresuke, who now resides as kami (divine being) at Nogi Shrine.

Nogi Shrine

Shrine
Small and red Nogi Shrine, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo
© Elizabeth Cole / Alamy Stock Photo
General Nogi Maresuke and his wife Nogi Shizuko committed suicide on September 13, 1912, choosing to follow their Emperor into death. Nogi Shrine was established in their honor eleven years later, where the couple – now kami – are enshrined.

Nezu Museum

Building, Museum
Nezu Museum, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Nezu Museum, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. | © World Discovery / Alamy Stock Photo
Nezu Museum in located in the upscale Aoyama neighborhood. The museum focuses on classical and ancient East Asian Art, most of which was once part of a private collection, but the location is equally famous for its beautiful Japanese strolling garden.
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Zojo-ji

Buddhist Temple
Two men are sat on the ground in Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan
© coward_lion / Alamy Stock Photo
Zojo-ji is an important temple of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. The temple’s Sangedatsu Gate dates back to 1622 and is considered an Important Cultural Property. It is thought that passing through the “Triple Moksha” gate will free you from greed, hatred, and foolishness.

Tokyo Midtown

Building, Museum, Shopping Mall
Tokyo Midtown tower, shopping and office complex building in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
Gaze up at the Tokyo Midtown tower | © Damon Coulter / Alamy Stock Photo
When Tokyo Midtown was completed over a decade ago, it was the tallest building in Tokyo. This multipurpose complex houses a mall, the Ritz Carlton Tokyo, the Suntory Museum of Art, 21_21 Design Sight, and the outdoor Midtown Garden.

Shiba Park

Park
Shiba Park is the largest park in Minato Ward. It’s a perfect place to take a stroll with a view of Tokyo Tower. The park is home to two hotels and several shrines and temples, including Zojo-ji.

Shinbashi

Market, Park
Shinbashi is a place to discover pockets of Tokyo’s disappearing Shitamachi (Low Town) culture. It’s also a great place for densha otaku (train geeks) to explore. Check out the bars and izakaya tucked under the railway tracks and the train at Steam Locomotive Square.

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