Lively Roppongi is one of Japan's most visited districts and a major entertainment hub. It rises skywards in Central Tokyo, cramming in thousands of restaurants, foreigner-friendly bars, and boutique shops. The district has a famous nightlife scene and is the most cosmopolitan of any of the districts in the capital.
Two cities within cities dominate the skyline. Roppongi Hills is where the Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View observation deck are located, both in the Mori Tower. Soaring just as high is Tokyo Midtown, visitors can find an upmarket complex of hotels, restaurants, commercial and residential space.
A string of art museums have opened in Roppongi over the last decade, including the National Art Center, Japan's largest, and the Suntory Museum of Art. However, the majority of visitors visit Rappongi for its revered nightlife and restaurant scene. Unlike most Tokyo districts, much of Roppongi is geared towards English speakers and Western audiences, making this the primary hangout of the city's expat community.
Four major train lines run through the district, intersecting at either Roppongi Station or Roppongi Itchome Station. Roppoingi Station is closed to both Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown and has express trains to Shibuya.
Roppongi's history features some of Japan's most evocative names. For three centuries the area was home to shogun lords who employed Samurai warriors. Fast forward to the 21st century and it's the headquarters of the Pokemon Company and the anime producer Genco.