Top Things to do

• Sengakuji

  Tokyo Minato-ku Takanawa 2-11-1

  This is a temple of the Soto sect known for containing the cemetery of Asano Naganori and the 47 Akoroshi (Akogishi) warriors famous for “Chushingura” the story of how they avenged the death of their master ending in their death. It is a temple built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu in outer Sakurada to mourn for Imagawa Yoshimoto. After being destroyed by fire the temple was moved to Takanawa, Minato City in Tokyo. On the grounds there is Ako Gishi's Memorial Hall, a memorial hall for the Akogishi Warriors and many artefacts are on display. Many people visit the temple in the spring and winter when a festival for the warriors is held.

• Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal Observation Decks

  Tokyo Ota-ku Hanedakukou

  These are observation spaces located on the sixth floor and rooftop of Terminal 1 and the fifth floor of Terminal 2. Offering a wide view of the airport runway, this is a special place to watch airplanes landing and taking off before your eyes. There is also a cafe on the deck and many guests like to enjoy coffee or a light meal amidst the gentle breezes. These observation areas are well-known for being places to enjoy night-time scenery as they are open until 10 p.m. Admission is free.

• Ikegami Honmonji Temple

  Tokyo Ota-ku Ikegami 1-1-1

  This is the head temple of the Nichiren school of Buddhism which is located in Ota City, Tokyo and is known as the temple where Saint Nichiren passed away (his deathbed). After the death of saint Nichiren, the then lord of Musashi Province, Ikegami Munenaka donated the temple grounds. On the grounds, there are many cultural assets of national importance such as the Ikegami Honmonji five-storied pagoda and a wooden seated statue of the Saint Nichiren. There are many Tangible Cultural Properties existing within Tokyo. A commemoration of the death of Saint Nichiren held on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of October every year to commemorate his death which occurred on the 13th—the “Oeshiki ceremony”—is celebrated at many places throughout the country but the most prestigious festival is conducted here on the evening of the 12th when some 300,000 people gather to visit the shrine. The highlight is the “Mando” (Buddhist lantern festival) rite in which about 3,000 people carry sacred lanterns decorated with cherry blossoms, called the “Mando neri kuyo” or Buddhist lantern procession. The nearest station to the temple is Ikegami Station.

• Aqua Park Shinagawa

  Tokyo Minato-ku Takanawa 4-10-30 within Shinagawa Prince Hotel

  This aquarium and urban entertainment facility is located inside the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Minato City, Tokyo. The aquarium’s main attraction are its dolphin performances held in a circular pool in the center of the facility; ticket holders can enjoy a stunning show which interweaves light and sound with the sleek acrobatics of the dolphins. The aquarium’s jungle-themed zone houses exhibits presenting freshwater fish and reptiles as well as the park’s popular capybaras. The facility is filled with other interesting attractions, including the fantastical jellyfish zone and a 20 meter long tunnel aquarium.

• ecute (Shinagawa Station)

  Tokyo Minato-ku Takanawa 3-26-27 JR East Japan Shinagawa station premises

  ecute (Shinagawa Station) is a commercial facility located inside JR Shinagawa Station, beyond the ticket barrier. It has a wide range of restaurants and shops, including cafes and restaurants that are ideal either for regular everyday use or for killing time while waiting for a train, high-quality boxed lunches from famous stores that are a must for anyone travelling on the Shinkansen high-speed train, branches of famous Tokyo confectionery stores, shops selling various lifestyle products, etc. Many of the stores in ecute (Shinagawa Station) have been attracting a great deal of attention, including Saza Coffee, which has won high praise from coffee aficionados.

• Haneda Chronogate

  Tokyo Ota-ku Hanedasahichou 11-1

  This is a logistics facility operated by the Yamato Group, which is known as Kuroneko Yamato no Takkyubin (literally, “Black Cat Home Delivery Service”). Located in a place that is easily reachable from Haneda Airport, the expressway, Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo Freight Terminal, this facility supports Yamato’s speedy deliveries. The general observation course requires about 90 minutes and participation is free of charge. In addition to panels and videos describing Yamato’s history and logistics arrangement, visitors can also watch the flow of packages and Central Control Room through the glass walls. Reservations must be made on the Internet. The closest station is Anamori-inari Station.

• Hara Museum of Contemporary Art

  Tokyo Shinagawa-ku Kitashinagawa 4-7-25

  An art museum housed inside the former residence of industrialist Kunizo Hara, former president of Tokyo Gas and Japan Airlines. Contemporary art is exhibited inside the modern building, which was constructed in 1938. In addition to its permanent exhibit, the museum holds special exhibits showing the latest trends in modern art. During the regular Hara Annual, pieces from promising new artists are exhibited. Visitors can also relax in the museum café facing the courtyard.

• Shinagawa Season Terrace

  Tokyo Minato-ku Kounan 1-2-70

  Built around a skyscraper in the Konan district of Tokyo’s Minato City, this facility is comprised of a 32-story tower, a low-rise annex building, and an expansive green space that also includes an event plaza. Floors one through three are a commercial zone featuring approximately 20 shops—mainly restaurants including the Tokyo debut of a grill restaurant and new style shops. With a complete range of gourmet food spanning Japanese, Western and Chinese dishes, this is a popular place for nearby office workers to enjoy lunch or a meal after work. Floors five and above are part of an office zone which is occupied by many famous companies.

• Blue Bottle Coffee, Shinagawa Cafe

  Tokyo Minato-ku Kounan 2-18-1 Atle Shinagawa 3FFOOD & TIMEISETAN

  Representative of third wave coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee is incredibly popular in America. This is its sixth cafe in Japan. Made with fresh beans roasted at the Kiyosumi Shirakawa roastery, they excel at coffee carefully hand dripped cup by cup. The Shinagawa Cafe features items not available at other shops and its counter seating overlooks Shinagawa Station’s concourse. Photo by Takumi Ota.