Famous nightlife district, swings between polished and sleazy. Locals might side-eye it, but beneath the neon and noise, there are pockets of real fun, chaos, and accidental charm.
Mall Complexes
Roppongi Hills. A polished complex of offices, luxury shops. Some highlights to note:
Mori Art Museum. At Roppongi Hills, a high-rise museum specializing in contemporary art with blockbuster shows. Rotating exhibitions lean big, international, and Instagram-ready.
Fashion highlights include Beams flagship, United Arrows multi-floor emporium, and Est Nation. Kapital's two boutiques offers denim with a twist, while Double Standard brings edgy Japanese streetwear. Plus global luxury brands.
Mikawa Keyakizaka. High-end tempura served one piece at a time by a master. Whisper-thin batter, top-tier ingredients, not cheap. Quiet, exact, and deeply serious about frying.
Kurochodo. Unagi specialty restaurant that serves Kansai-style grilled eel, signature dish features crispy-skinned eel served with a sauce made from rare Mikawa Mirin.
Ginza Kagari. Silky chicken paitan ramen. Broth is rich but clean, noodles fine and springy.
Tokyo Midtown. A polished sprawl of offices, Ritz Carlton, luxury shops, a large green park stitched together, slick but not soulless. Try:
Suntory Museum. Built on the idea that "art exists in everyday life." Small, sharply curated shows focus on Japanese crafts—lacquerware, ceramics, textiles.
Favorite selection of shops include: Kungyokudo for incense, 45R for artisanal denim and natural fabrics, CABaN for bold colors and prints, Trading Museum Comme des Garçons for avant-garde fashion in a gallery-like setting, Nihonbashi Kiya for Japanese knives and homewares, Itoya premium stationery, and Green Dog for pet supplies.
Kayanoya. A specialty shop offering traditional Japanese seasonings and dashi-based products, with an eat-in area serving oden and other dishes.
Union Square. New York-inspired restaurant serving seasonal American cuisine with a nice view of the park.
Toshi Yoroizuka. A patisserie by renowned chef Toshi Yoroizuka, offering exquisite desserts crafted with seasonal ingredients.
Barney’s New York. Across the street from Midtown, actually. This iconic boutique is still operational in Tokyo despite the brand's bankruptcy and store closures in 2020 (Barneys Japan being independently owned)
Art & Culture
Phillips. Auction showroom for luxury watches, jewelry, and modern art. Open and accessible to visitors, those who just want to look.
Roppongi Art Night. Usually in September, an annual festival of installations, performances, and light shows across Roppongi.
Other Shops
Don Quixote. Five floors of chaos: liquor, snacks, cosmetics, costumes. Open late for bad decisions and last-minute party supplies. Look for good deals and freshly roasted sweet potatoes.
Tsutaya in Roppongi is a sleek, well-curated bookstore with a strong focus on design, art, and lifestyle titles. It shares space with a Starbucks. The selection leans upscale—think coffee table books, fashion mags, and stationery—more inspiration hub than casual bookshop.
Parfum Satori. Perfume workshop, visitors can sample each fragrance introduced by the perfumer Satori Osawa or one of her assistants. Her perfumes have garnered praise and recognition from reviewers and leading lights of the industry.
Living Motif. A three-level design store offering curated furniture, kitchenware, and home goods that blend Japanese and international aesthetics.
Health & Beauty
Erawan Massage. Unfussy Thai massage spot offering reliable, hard-pressure massages. No-frills setting, affordable prices.
Hayato. A salon known for its international training and expertise with all hair types. They offer a range of services, including cuts, color, perms, and their signature shiatsu-style head spa.
Where to Eat
Uoshin Nogizaka. Lively seafood izakaya with beer-stained menus and shouting regulars. Fresh sashimi, grilled fish. Zero polish, tons of gruff charm. In Akasaka but close in feel to Roppongi side.
Tsuru Ton Tan. Famous for their extra-large bowls of silky, chewy udon. Broth and toppings are upscale, not basic. Late-night favorite for carb-loading after too many drinks.
Reino. Unadorned yakitori joint known for crisp skin, juicy meat. Charcoal smoke hangs in the air. Go early, stay late, leave smelling great.
Naruse Unagi. Old-school eel house grilling over binchotan charcoal. Sweet, smoky tare sauce and no unnecessary frills.
PST Roppongi. Neapolitan pizza from and for Tokyo’s pizza nerds. Charred, chewy crusts and real-deal ingredients. It’s pretty good, but not sure what the hubbub is about to be honest.
Lilla Darna. Swedish food served in a bright, casual space. Quirky, family-run warmth in the middle of Roppongi.
Mercer Brunch. New York-style brunch with a Japanese twist, featuring their signature brioche French toast. The stylish, light-filled space is a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
Empire Steak House. New York steakhouse swagger to Tokyo—dry-aged USDA Prime, 900°C grills, and big cuts like the Porterhouse and Emperor’s Steak. The vibe’s all dark wood and leather booths, with a wine list to match the price tag.
Coffee & Desserts
Verve. California transplant with meticulous pour-overs and industrial-chic decor. The space is all glass and light overlooking Roppongi dori, great for people-watching.
Cafe Tapirosu. Tiny café with better cakes than coffee. Friendly but easily missed. Worth a visit if you stumble past it.
Common Art Cafe. Chill spot where artists, writers, and dreamers nurse lattes over sketchbooks. Quiet, easygoing, and occasionally inspiring.
Yelo. Shaved ice cafe specializing in colorful, boozy kakigori. Open late, sweet, messy, and surprisingly satisfying.
Bars
Geronimo Shot Bar. A Roppongi staple for expats and night owls, known for its loud energy and the signature drum ritual—hit it, and you're buying shots for the whole bar. It’s not subtle, but if you’re up for chaos, challenge shots, and a wall of fame, this is the place.
Mogambo’s. Known for its lively atmosphere, with themed nights like Hawaiian Luau and a menu featuring cocktails such as Sex on the Beach and Pina Colada, it's a popular spot for both locals and expats.
Qwang. A low-key basement bar run by a longtime husband-and-wife team. Classic cocktails, Thai food, and a music mix that skips the obvious—Leonard Cohen over club beats.
Sorachi 空知. A cozy bar named after the Sorachi region in Hokkaido, reflecting the owner's hometown of Ashibetsu, it offers a relaxed atmosphere with drinks like Old Parr highballs and light snacks. The bar also features a second-floor space that occasionally hosts karaoke sessions.
Live Music
Bauhaus. Live rock covers of Zeppelin, Queen, and more. Sing shoulder to shoulder with expats and people who miss 1983.
Kento’s. Home for oldies, live bands, and late-night nostalgia, dance to Beatles, Elvis, and Rockabilly, Showa pop with real showmanship.
Maduro. Hotel bar with live jazz, cigars, and high-end cocktails. Expensive but atmospheric.
Alfie. Classic Tokyo jazz club run by musicians, for musicians. Heavy on the standards, easy on the pretense. Dark, intimate, and reliable.
Abbey Road. Live music venue dedicated to Beatles. It has four shows nightly.
After-Hours Dining
Souryutougyokudo. Specializes in spicy tantanmen noodles with deep sesame flavor and bold heat. Th/Fr/Sat open until 4am
Yakitori Moe. Charcoal-grilled skewers of chicken and vegetables served in a cozy, smoky environment. Open to 2am
Tsurutontan. Udon specialist known for oversized bowls and creative toppings in a sleek setting. Open to 8am
Sushizanmai. Popular sushi chain offering fresh nigiri, rolls, and seafood donburi. 24 hours.
Yelo. Colorful shaved ice café with boozy and seasonal kakigori options served late. Open to 2am or later.