Culture
Places and Events for looking back at the history and culture of Minato-ku.
The World of "Ah" Comes to Life! "Design Ah Exhibition neo" Arrives at Toranomon Hills - TOKYO NODE
Jun 13, 2025
The exhibition "Design Ah Exhibition neo," based on the popular NHK E-TV program "Design Ah neo," brings the show’s core concept to life, offering children and adults alike a chance to experience the fun and depth of design firsthand. The exhibition runs from Friday, April 18 to Tuesday (public holi...
A New Area Opens in Toranomon Hills! Discover the Multi-Use Complex, Glass Rock
May 2, 2025
A new area, Glass Rock, has opened in Toranomon Hills—a vibrant complex in Minato City's Toranomon district that draws a steady stream of visitors, from tourists to businesspeople. Glass Rock rises approximately 30 meters with four stories above ground and three levels below. Its construction began ...
A Futuristic City Emerges in the Takanawa Area! Discover the Appeal of TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY
Apr 25, 2025
On March 27, 2025, TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, one of the largest new urban developments in central Tokyo, officially opened its doors to the public. Spearheaded by JR East, this large-scale project transforms approximately 9.5 hectares around Takanawa Gateway Station into a futuristic city that combines...
Tracing 100 Years of Broadcasting at the NHK Museum of Broadcasting
Mar 28, 2025
In 2025, Japan celebrates a century of broadcasting. From the early days of radio to the rise of television, satellite broadcasting, and now internet streaming, the media landscape has continuously evolved—shaping and reflecting daily life along the way. One place where you can explore this rich his...
Spring in Full Bloom: Discovering Cherry Blossoms at Popular Spots in Minato City, Tokyo
Mar 25, 2025
As spring breezes begin to blow, cherry blossom season is just around the corner. Minato City—where modern elegance meets rich historical charm—is home to some of Tokyo’s most iconic hanami (flower viewing) spots. Tokyo officially announced the start of the cherry blossom season on March 24. Whether...
Spreading the Appeal of “Japan Heritage” ~Toward Certification of Minato Gateway City as a Japan Heritage Site~
Mar 10, 2025
On February 13, 2025, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (“Agency for Cultural Affairs”) held the 2nd Japan Heritage Official Partnership Program Signing Ceremony whereby the Minato City Tourism Association became an official partner of Japan Heritage. Japan Heritage is an initiati...
A Palace of Luxury in Shimbashi! We Explored the Astonishing Food, Entertainment, and Leisure at Grand Hammer!
Feb 25, 2025
In the fall of 2024, a massive food, entertainment, and leisure building debuted in front of Shimbashi SL Square. The newly opened Grand Hammer lets you experience the otherworldly with diverse dining and entertainment that spans nine floors from the basement to the eighth floor and rooftop. The cre...
Spectacular views over the city during day, evening, and nighttime! Awe-inspiring vistas from Tokyo Tower
Jan 21, 2025
Tokyo Tower conveys the diverse charms of Tokyo throughout the day; from the magnificent panoramas of the morning and afternoon to the harmonious relationship between sky and city during the evening and the sparkling jewelry box-like beauty that characterizes the nighttime. The views of the Tokyo ci...
Hamamatsucho's future is shining bright! A close look at the World Trade Center Building reconstruction project
Jan 14, 2025
Once lined with the mansions of feudal lords and bustling with activity as the area before the gates of Zojoji Temple, Hamamatsucho became part of Minato City in 1947 and was renamed Shiba-Hamamatsucho, before changing to its current name in 1972. And in 1970, the World Trade Center Building - which...
Exploring Minato City by Rickshaw: Minato Rickshaw Tanakaya in Minato Cityhaw Tanakaya"
Dec 18, 2024
Rickshaws, a popular mode of transportation during the Meiji and Taisho periods, are still seen today in various tourist destinations across Japan, with drivers pulling two-wheeled carts carrying passengers. But did you know you can also ride a rickshaw in Minato City? Fully going into business in O...
Explore Minato City’s Hidden Gems with Yamato Delivery Drivers!
Dec 4, 2024
Known for its Kuroneko Yamato brand, Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. operates approximately 2,800 offices across Japan, with around 60,000 delivery drivers providing services primarily through their TA-Q-BIN delivery network. Delivery drivers, who crisscross cities transporting packages for both individu...
New in Minami-Aoyama: Explore the History and Allure of Makeup at the Cosmetic Culture Gallery
Nov 14, 2024
The cosmetics company POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC. (then known as POLA Cosmetics Headquarters) established the POLA Research Institute of Beauty and Culture on May 15, 1976, with the aim of academically researching cosmetics. Since then, the institute has continued to collect, preserve, research, and pr...
The 22nd Minato City Tourism Photo Contest 2024—Special Feature! Minato City, A Tale of Then and Now
Oct 31, 2024
The Minato City Travel & Tourism Association is currently accepting submissions for the 22nd Minato City Tourism Photo Contest 2024, seeking exceptional photos capturing landmarks and natural scenes within Minato City. Minato City was established in 1947 when the former Shiba, Azabu, and Akasaka dis...
Transfixed by Minato-ku’s Night Spots! Video Contest “Minato, Ugoku (Minato, Moving) Open for Entry
Oct 17, 2024
Location: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo / Shinmei “Minato, Ugoku,” a video contest looking for Minato-ku’s most “Instaworthy” nighttime spots, was opened to applicants on October 15, 2024 and welcomes submissions from entrants both within Japan and from overseas. The contest organizers are looking for...
Whole Host of Events to Celebrate 60th Anniversary! History of Tokyo Monorail; a Line Connecting Minato-ku to Haneda Airport
Oct 9, 2024
In September 2024, the Tokyo Monorail Line, which connects Monorail Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station, celebrated its 60th anniversary. Tokyo Monorail, which first began its passenger service on September 17, 1964, just prior the hosting of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games...
Getting to Know the Minato City Waterfront! Early-Riser Activities with an 8:00 a.m. Morning Cruisees with a morning cruise at 8 a.m.
Oct 2, 2024
Minato City is engaged in a variety of initiatives that seek to leverage the diverse tourism opportunities presented by its waterfront area, including the Shibaura Canal and Tokyo Bay. As part of these initiatives, 8:00 a.m. morning cruises along the Shibaura Canal and around other areas of the wate...
Welcome to "Model Swamp"! The excitement at Tamiya's new base never stops
Aug 7, 2024
Tamiya, a comprehensive model manufacturer that sells a wide variety of models, from plastic models, R/C cars to Mini 4WDs, has opened a corporate-owned fracility "TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO" in the Shinbashi/Toranomon area. The facility stocks approximately 6,000 Tamiya products, and also has a ...
Learn Proper Temple Etiquette with Detailed Explanations from a Buddhist Monk!
Jul 5, 2024
Minato-ku is home to a variety of temples, including Zojoji Temple, known as the family temple of Tokugawa Ieyasu. There are approximately 280 temples in the area. Recently, due to the influence of inbound tourism, many people from both inside and outside Japan have been visiting these temples. Ther...
Discover the World of Japanese Tea Culture! A Visit to the ITO EN Museum
Jun 28, 2024
Tea has long been an integral part of people's lives in Japan. Now, a museum dedicated to the charm and culture of tea has opened in Shimbashi. The Ocha Culture Creation Museum and Oi Ocha Museum, a unique combined museum, opened on May 1, 2024. This unique facility was created in the historic Shimb...
Experience a "Merging World" at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills
Jun 15, 2024
On February 9th, 2024, the world-famous "MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab Borderless" moved from Tokyo's Odaiba to Azabudai Hills. The revamped teamLab Borderless now features more than 70 works, including the world premiere of the new work "Bubble Universe." With the relocation, appr...
History and Tradition of the Shiba Centennial Society: Reforms by Long-Established Shops in Shibadaimon and Shimbashi
May 31, 2024
In 2016, businesses in the Shiba district of Minato-ku with more than a century of history came together to form the "Shiba Centennial Society." Amid ongoing redevelopment and a changing urban landscape, these time-honored businesses have woven their history and traditions into the local fabric. Wha...
Experience “Dialogue in the Dark”! Shrouded in Darkness, the KiHa 40 Train Departs
May 11, 2024
Dialogue in the Dark (DID) is entertainment in complete darkness” in which visually impaired guides lead participants through an adventure in the dark. To date, DID has been held in more than 47 countries around the globe, at which more than 9 million participants have partaken in the experience. Th...
From Minato-ku to the Entire Nation! The Fascination and Future of the New Olympic Discipline Lacrosse
May 9, 2024
Lacrosse is a sport in which players use sticks called "crosse" with a net attached to one end to try and shoot a ball with a diameter of about 6 cm into the goal of the other team. As a ball game that fascinates with its high level of strategy and dynamic game development, the number of players in ...
Dinosaurs hijacking Fuji TV! We got overrun by the "Odaiba Dinosaur Expo 2024!"
Apr 3, 2024
Fuji Television, located in Daiba, Minato-ku, is hosting the "Odaiba Dinosaur Expo - THEY are coming from Fukui by Shinkansen!" until May 6, 2024! Fukui is one of the spots that have been attracting attention, as access from the Tokyo metropolitan area has improved with the opening of the Hokuriku S...