Tokyo Tower & Minato-ku
Tokyo Tower is an iconic 333-meter red tower built in 1958 as a tribute to the Eiffel Tower. It's Tokyo's most visible landmark — you can spot it from many places in the city, but it's even more impressive up close. The tower has four observation decks: Main Deck (150m, ¥1200) and Top Deck (250m, ¥3000) are most popular. Night views are spectacular, with Tokyo's cityscape glowing in neon.
From Shiba Park directly below the tower, you can sit among the trees and see the tower from a different angle — a cheaper way to enjoy Tokyo's skyline. From Mori Tower nearby, the tower appears from an entirely different perspective. All these viewpoints are part of Roppongi — spending a full day here, you'll see Tokyo from multiple vantage points.
Art Galleries
Mori Art Museum is a world-class gallery on the 53rd floor of Mori Tower. The exhibitions rotate regularly but are always worth seeing. Entry is ¥2000, but your ticket includes access to Mori Tower's Sky Deck — the best view combined with a museum visit. The museum hosts major exhibitions — previous shows have featured David Hockney, Damien Hirst, and other renowned artists.
21_21 Design Sight is a small but excellent design gallery designed by legendary architect Tadao Ando. It's one of his architectural masterpieces, and the interior is equally impressive. Entry is ¥1200 for exhibitions. National Art Center is Japan's largest art museum — the building's entrance is free, but exhibitions cost ¥1500-2000. It's good if you want to see major art without the price commitment to a full museum visit.
Roppongi Hills & Tokyo Midtown
Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown are two massive complexes competing across the street. Hills contains Mori Tower and Mori Garden — a sprawling park that's an oasis in the urban center. Midtown houses 21_21 Design Sight and its own gardens plus the Suntory Museum. Both complexes have excellent food courts where you can find everything from Japanese food culture to ramen shops, sushi bars, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Nightlife
Roppongi is the heart of Tokyo's international nightlife. Womb and ageHa are the two most famous clubs, open until morning. But beware: touts on the main street often offer club passes. These are frequently traps — they impose exorbitant cover charges and mandate expensive drinks. It's better to research clubs beforehand and go directly, or use personal recommendations.
The better option is Azabu-Juban — ten minutes' walk from Roppongi. No tourist traps, no touts, just local bars and restaurants that have been there for decades. This is the Roppongi locals actually talk about.
Our Recommended Places
Combine views and art: Buy a Mori Art Museum ticket and get Sky Deck access — best value for views in Tokyo.
Avoid main street clubs: Don't patronize unknown clubs from street touts. Research beforehand or use local recommendations.
Azabu-Juban better for nightlife: For a less touristy nightlife experience, visit nearby Azabu-Juban instead.