Type something to search...
to navigateto selectESC to close

Shimbashi Shiodome Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

Shiodome, Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa are four adjoining districts near Tokyo’s waterfront. Shiodome is a cluster of skyscrapers and hotels, with a great stroll garden nearby, while Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho are popular after-work dinner and drinking areas. Further south, Shinagawa is an important transport hub.

A long, broad wooden walkway skirts the edge of Shio-iri pond, Hamarikyu Garden, Tokyo, Japan, with tall buildings in the background on a bright, sunny day[Shio-iri pond, Hamarikyu Garden: picture cells / Shutterstock.com]

It’s easy to forget that Tokyo actually has a waterfront. And, while the city will never be a rival for Sydney or San Francisco in terms of ocean views, it does have some pleasant districts alongside Tokyo Bay. Shiodome is the most modern and attractive of these. It’s a tight cluster of towering high-rise hotels, office buildings and shopping complexes, all of which look over the district’s fine garden: Hama-Rikyu Teien Garden.

Tokyo Holiday Essentials

Just north of Shiodome is Shimbashi, which is a slightly gritty and plebian zone where local office workers gather to eat and drink after the workday is done. Hamamatsu-cho is similar, but has a few interesting sights nearby, including Tokyo Tower, Zojo-ji Temple and Shiba-koen Park. Finally, Shinagawa is an important transport hub where the shinkansen and Haneda and Narita airport trains stop.

Shiodome, Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa Highlights

Tokyo's skyscraper skyline and green foliage reflected in the water in Hamarikyu Gardens [Hama Rikyu Gardens: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com]

Things To Do And See In Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

  • Hama Rikyu Gardens (garden)
    A beautiful green retreat on the edge of Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu Gardens are a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Built on the grounds of a former Shogun’s villa, the gardens are within walking distance of Tsukiji Market, and the open spaces of the garden would make a nice counterpoint to the tightly packed market. This is one of my favorite places in Tokyo for a contemplative stroll.

Tokyo's urban skyline, featuring the Tokyo Tower, illuminated at twilight against a huge purple sky [Tokyo Tower: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com]

  • Tokyo Tower (observation tower)
    I love this retro tower, which was modeled on Paris’s Eiffel Tower (they look quite similar, except for the different colors). On a clear day, the views are great and by night, they are simply spectacular. In fact, I much prefer this tower to the crowded mob scene over at the Tokyo Skytree.

Dozens of hanging, reflected orange lights reflected in mirrors to create an infinite view at Tokyo's Teamlab Borderless Museum [teamLab Borderless: Cristian Mihai Pascalau / Shutterstock.com]

  • teamLab Borderless (digital art museum)
    teamLab Borderless is a groundbreaking digital art museum in Azabudai Hills which is a hugely popular and very Instagrammable art experience. Make sure your purchase tickets online before going.
  • Shiba-koen Park (park)
    This soothing expanse of green and gardens around Zojo-ji Temple (and close to Tokyo Tower) is a fine place for a walk or picnic when in this area.
  • Zojo-ji Temple (Buddhist temple)
    This huge temple in the shadow of Tokyo Tower is an interesting place to get a feel for Japanese Buddhism. Be sure to check out the smaller hall to the right of the main hall (where you can make wishes and pray) and the colorful Jizo figures to the side of this hall.
  • Advertising Museum Tokyo (museum)
    Located very near to Tsukiji Market and Hama Rikyu Gardens, this museum documents the history and techniques of advertising. There is limited English signage. While this might not be of much interest to the general public, it’s a decent way to spend an hour on a hot or rainy day. It’s in the Caretta Shiodome building.

Places To Eat

In Shiodome, you’ll find the best selection of restaurants in the Caretta Shiodome building (the tower at the northeast end of the complex). Because both Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho are office towns, you’ll find tons of restaurants in the streets around both stations. In Shinagawa, the area in and around the station is the place to look for restaurants.

Shiodome
  • Din Tai Fung (Chinese dumplings/dim sum)
    On the B2 floor of the Caretta Shiodome building, this branch of Taiwan’s famous dumpling restaurant is fantastic. In addition to the dumplings, the noodles and fried rice are great here.
Shimbashi
  • Nanakura (udon)
    On the 2nd floor of the Shimbashi Ekimae Building #1, this udon specialist is a great place for an inexpensive lunch or dinner when in Shimbashi. It’s closed on weekends.
  • Ganesha
    Located a 6-minute walk from Shimbashi Station, Ganesha is a cozy soup curry eatery that’s a firm favourite with local office workers. Join them for some of the area’s best soup curry!
  • Buta Daigaku
    Travelling on a budget? You’ll love the wallet-friendly Buta Daigaku — delicious pork rice bowls can be had here for as little as ¥500. To go the whole hog, shell out ¥1080 for a donburi topped with 1kg of pork slices.
  • Anpuku Toranomon Hills
    Looking for something different? Try ‘wafu’ or ‘Japanese-style’ udon at Anpuku in the Shinbashi Area. Imagine Italian or Chinese meets Japanese noodles and you’ll get the idea. Don’t knock till you try it — their udon is delicious.
Hamamatsucho
  • Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai (tofu kaiseki)
    This superb and elegant tofu specialist on the west side of Shiba-koen Park is a great place to delve into the wonders of Japanese tofu cuisine. It’s a great spot for vegetarians in search of a special meal.
  • Pizza Studio Tamaki
    Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST) in Higashi-Azabu serves some of the best Neapolitan-style pizza in Tokyo. That’s not hyperbole - it’s just a fact of life in Tokyo.
Shinagawa
  • David’s Deli
    This kosher restaurant a bit north of Shinagawa near Tamachi Station on the JR Yamanote Line is a great place for Isreali-style favorites like falafel and shawarma plates.

Luxury Hotels In Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

  • Conrad Tokyo
    (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
    With stunning views over Tokyo Bay, comfortable rooms and a thoughtful staff, the Conrad is one of the most appealing hotels in Tokyo.

Mid-Range Hotels In Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

Budget Hotels In Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

Nightlife in Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho And Shinagawa

Apart from the bars up in Caretta Shiodome, some of which offer great views of Tokyo Bay, Shiodome is not much of a nightlife district. But both Hamamatsucho and Shimbashi are office towns, so the areas around both stations are packed with bars and izakayas.

  • TwentyEight (hotel bar with view)
    This elegant bar in the Conrad Tokyo also does afternoon tea. The views over Tokyo Bay are well worth the price of the drinks. It’s a very sexy spot for a drink.
  • Drunk Bears (beer bar)
    This small bar on the 2F level of the Pedi Shiodome complex is a decent spot for a drink while in the area. They also serve filling pub grub.
  • Devil Craft (beer and pizza)
    This branch of the Devil Craft chain in Hamamatsucho is a great place for some tasty pizza and awesome beer. It’s a great spot for an evening out in Hamamatsucho.

Where Are These Places Located?

  • Open the Tokyo map
  • You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
  • Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
  • Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
  • If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Tokyo Vacation Checklist

Tags
Share :

Related Posts

When Is Cherry Blossom Season In Tokyo

The cherry blossoms usually bloom in Tokyo in the last week of March and the first week of April. You have to be lucky to catch them at their best during a short trip to Japan. ![A view of the pink c

Read More

Tokyo Ramen Street

Tokyo Ramen Street in the belly of Tokyo Station is home to eight of the nation's best slurps, all in a single corridor. Your only problem is deciding which one to eat - and which queue to brave. ![T

Read More

Takashimaya Times Square Food Floor

If there is a culinary paradise, it's in the basement floor of Japanese department stores. Takashimaya Times Square Food Floor is where the food-lover's heaven is. ![Takashimaya Times Square Food Flo

Read More

Teddys Bigger Burgers

The Harajuku branch of Hawaiian fast food restaurant Teddy's Bigger Burgers offers reasonably priced, decent burgers. Don't expect premium patties, but do go if you also want pancakes after your meal.

Read More
Travel guide
Tags